NAD M5 vs Cambridge 840c

I owned both and compared them side by side. IMHO the 840C was brilliant in balanced mode but just good in single ended mode. The balanced amp left the house and so did the 840C. In a single ended system, the NAD M5 had more body and musicality, it continues to please. However if I ever get a balanced system, I might have to give the 840C another shot.

I do not have experinece with that particular NAD but a friend and I did try the 840. We used it in two different systems wit Cardas Neutral Reference and thought a Denon 1650 sounded better. However when he switched to balanced (not an option for me) Zu cable it really changed for the better. I now have a Sony SCD XA777ES and he has the 840 keith

I preferred the NAD to the 840 which I found a little sterile. I found the MF A5 and the Primare CD31 were far more musical than either the NAD or Cambridge. I went for the MF while my brother preferred the Primare. All of the above players were auditioned in the same system at a dealer, the system consisting of Bryston amplification and a pair of Mordaunt Short Performance 6 speakers (as I own the speakers, I was very familiar with their sound).

I have had the MF A5....a superb overlooked player
on this site. They can be had for a great price on
Audiogon also. The price has really come down on these over the last year and a half. For less than $1300
you cannot go wrong. If you are willing to spend that
$1800-$2000 look at a Cary 303/300, Esoteric Dv-50s
or a Raysonic cd-168. All used of course. The Raysonic
cd-128 is a real gem below that $1200 mark. I personally
preferred it much more than the MF A5. Of course in my system. TO EACH HIS OWN !!!!!!

WOOPS......also for $2000 or less consider the
Meridian G 08.