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Rega apollo v NAD 565 BEE comparsion Others?

I compared a Rega Apollo and NAD 565 BEE. Amp is an Exposure 2010S with Cardas Neutral Reference ICs and Analysis Plus Oval 9 wire Speakers are Polk SDA 1Cs and RTA 12Bs. The Rega was very nice and natural with a big stage and may?? have had a sense of slightly deeper bass. It also came off as ever so slightly laidback with a little bit of a hot top end but very little.
The NAD seemed to have more punch and things had more defintion Things seem to stand out more froma black background and be more bold. It seemed to have a slightly more dynamic sound. As I listen to rock and blues it seemed to fit the bill better Who knows if an IC change would have helped the Apollo. HOWEVER from an operational stand point the NAD is wonderful to use while the Rega is a little annoying.
I am leaning toward the NAD but am wondering about the Marantz 8003,8001 and the Cambridge 740C. I had the Cambridge here 2 years ago with different amp and thought it was nice but had a narrow stage and seemed to detail driven Any thoughts on any of this???
Also, does anyone have a copy of Stereophile ( October 2009)and can tell me what Sam T had to say about the NAD 375BEE and 565BEE??
128x128geph0007
12 responses Add your response
mst
163 posts
 
Both are excellent machines. Dead on with observations. The NAD is, I think, better than the Cambridge Audio and is a lot less $$. (I have the Rega.)
ablang
165 posts
 
Sam T said the amp was fantastic and that the CD player was good but nothing special in comparison.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
A group of us just did a shootout. We all agreed that the Cambridge 840c was the best of the group (smooth, better highs, mids and bass). Next was the Apollo, after that were a Jolida and modded music hall. The 840 clearly beat all else without arguments.
geph0007's avatar
geph0007 OP
184 posts
 
A friend and I tried 840s about a year ago against a Denon 1650AR and like the Denon better. However when he switched to different IC and went balanced the 840 stepped ahead. The Apollo was very good but I thought a little soft. Would an IC change help? What bout the Exposure 2010S CD player? The amp is a mind blower. keith
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
I have heard all three, and IMO the Rega is the best machine, and that is what I bought - I liked the bigger soundstage you mentioned in particular, as well as the warmer sound. The Cambridge is quite bright in comparison, I would prefer the NAD between the two. The Marantz players have a nice sound, but I think you have to go too far up the line price-wise to match the Apollo. I think the Apollo and the Saturn are two of the best players one can buy for the money. I would be interested in hearing one of the tubed ones, though, I have not had a chance to do so.
fishing716
316 posts
 
I heard Saturn for $1600 & Nad 565bee for around $600 in my system.
I prefered Nad clear,uncolored presentation
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
"I heard Saturn for $1600 & Nad 565bee for around $600 in my system."

Unless you have a highly resolving system look at the Apollo - the Saturn needs the gear to get that other 25% from it. But when it has it .... it competes with $5000 cd players.
trip
84 posts
 
The Moon CD-1 by SimAudio is by no means a slouch. I preferred it over the cd players mentioned.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/simaudio_cd1.htm
greeni
92 posts
 
Geph0007
The review by Sam T is up on NAD website now.
What intrigues me however is the review by Doug Schneider of SoundStage who claimed that it sounds a lot like Simaudio’s Moon Evolution SuperNova...
realhifi
159 posts
 
Depends on the system. I happen to dig the Rega but in your system it could be different. As you can see by the reponses there is no consensus on this price point. Others would have to include the Rotel RCD-1520. I dynamite player for $1,000.
jafant
18,803 posts
 
I liked the 565BEE as well.  Very good player for a little bit of dough.
jafant
18,803 posts
 
The Rega Saturn is on par (more money) to the 565 BEE, IMO.
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