Recommend upgrade for NAD C541

I like the NAD CD player for the money. I am not a fan of this integrated amp, which doesn't provide much detail to my ears. I think you would see more improvment with separate amp/pre-amp from another vendor than you would with a new CD player. If you are considering buying from a dealer, haul your CD player and integrated into them, and A/B your integrated against a separates setup in your price range.

I think you would have to spend a lot of money to get a significantly better cdp, and then you might not be able to appreciate the upgrade. Your speakers are your weakest link, not your cdp, and not your amp. Their bass through mid-midrange are affected by some coloration resulting from the material the woofer is made from. The tweeter and the woofer are not really well integrated off axis, either. If you don't play them real loud (harmonic distortion will increase with spls), you might experiment with their placement in your room and make sure you're listening on-axis.

I've spoken with a dealer handling both NAD and Arcam and she states the Arcam 62 for $100 is significantly better than the NAD. You can go from there.

Thanks for the advice so far...

First of all, the power cords are fixed on the C541 and the C370.

Second...I am open to a amp upgrade, if that is certainly the weakest link. Actually, I am open to upgrading any component (CDP, Amp, Speakers).

But in the spirit of not jumping on the never-ending upgrade wagon, how would you prioritize upgrades and could anyone recommend specific units for each (CDP, Amp, Speakers). I think I'd like to tackle them one at a time and spread them out (say, over a year...)

For example: CDP, Amp, then Speakers - 1) Arcam CD72, 2) Arcam A75, 3) B&W CDM1NT.

Thanks.

To really upgrade your CD player as it is a really nice 24/96 set up with the trademark NAD power output section, a tube amplified AMC CD player probably would give more open, natural and more musical results as the whole CD format is digital, not warm and rich (analog) as in LP's. The next step digitally really is an SACD player but at what cost? Speakers are subjective to a listener's ear and how loud or defined you like your sound is another issue as well. In what type of room you listen and to what musical genres you like also has some weight in your decision. Any CD player is trying to mimic what a great turntable can achieve if you read many reviews of CD players in the Audio Mags. So, that being the case, wouldn't a more warm and rich sounding amplifier be the place to start? The NAD C370 is a pretty flat, pretty tame and undynamic sounding piece of audio equipment as are the older NAD C340, and the C350. Not bad, but not really a musical amplifier. I found them to be lacking in warmth, depth and in punch. If you can, try to hear the hybrid AMC 3030as tube amplifier. At under $1000.00/$400.00 used it's a nice sounding "upgrade." Or, just enjoy your stereo as is and spend your money on CD's.