Shanling CDS 100 music hall 25 or Cambridge D500SE

Hey Mattew,

I auditioned the 541i and the D500SE and preferred the NAD, which is what I have at the moment. The Cambridge didn't sound as full to me.

As for the Shanling versus the Music Hall, they are the same machine. However, in Canada the Shanling goes for about $600 Cdn, while the Music Hall goes for $1000 Cdn (a complete and utter rip off). There are a couple of internet dealers who sell the Shanling and I would recommend Kevin Allen of Harmonia Audio, www.harmonia-audio.com/, with whom I've corresponded through e-mail. He seems like a stand up guy who is interested in doing his best for customers.

All the best.

Max

Thanks, I actually played phone tag with him today, and he said he may have one in stock if his buyer backs out.

Having owned both, the Music Hall is definitely a much better player. The resolution, detail, and refinement make it sound like a $1250 machine.

That being said, in a bright system, I feel I would prefer the Cambridge's darker, richer sound. However, I would still buy the Music Hall, address what was causing the brightness, and wind up with a much better system.

And, Max, I also auditioned the Cambridge D500SE against the NAD 541, and let my wife make the choice. It was that clear, the Cambridge was simply better. That being said, when I got my player home, as you stated, it was not full. It needed about 50 hours to run-in. Up until that, it was quite constricted at both frequency extremes, harsh, and PRAT was just not right. But, once the Cambridge breaks in, I consider it to have the best lower frequencies and impact of any below $500.

Note: I ended up going through 3 Cambridge players, and cannot recommend the model due to my track record with it. My Music Hall has given me no trouble at all over the 1+ year I have owned it.