Well worth the money.At the moment, it is paired with Cambridge Audio A3i integrated,
the result is very open, natural and musical. The bass is esp
good. Go and give it a try.

I've had the CD4SE in my system for about 8 months now, so I can attest to the reliability of this model as well as the sound. For both, I can give this player a full 5 stars. I've had major problems with earlier units from NAD, so I took a chance on the Cambridge and have never looked back. As for sound, the British audio press is right- this is one very musical sounding player, able to compete with the Rega Planet and the Marantz 63SE. I would give the nod to the Cambridge over both. The CD4SE has a warmth missing from a lot of players at this price point but yet it is deadly accurate. To describe it in one word: musical. Okay, two more words: Absolute bargain. If you're looking for bells and whistles, look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you are mainly interested in a cd player that gets past much of the drawbacks of sub-$1000 players (graininess, brightness, cheap build), take the CD4SE for a spin. Blows the doors off of its competition.

I recently got a good deal on one of these units, and have been totallyimpressed with the sound. This CD player is an amazing value! I was using a
Rega Planet, which I found had a pleasing sound, but am now using the Cambridge
as my main player. I immediately noticed a more substantial bass and more
overall detail in the music. I did notice a very slight rolloff of the extreme
high frequencies but found, if nothing else, this only added to the overall
presentation. My speakers are Klipsch Chorus II's, which can sound bright on
certain recordings. As a result, this player is a perfect match. Cambridge Audio
is, of course, a British company who has their products manufactured in China.
This helps keep the price low, however, everything is made to meet their design and quality control specifications. This is a wonderful sounding player that performs far beyond it's $529.00 price point. If you are on a budget, then audition the CD4SE. You won't be disapointed! As a side note, I'm using a MacIntosh MC7100 amp, and a B&K CS-115 preamp wired with Tara Labs Quantum 66
interconnects.

I've only had this unit for a week now, but must say that I'm extremely pleased.I directly auditioned this against the CAL DX2 and the Rega Planet. My immediate response was put the DX2 away, I don't want to hear it! The DX2 was "small" sounding; much less musical than the other players, with less definition in the mids and highs (though it offered no benefits in terms of lack-of-fatigue).

I did like the Planet (of course), but found differences with the CD4SE to be much more subtle. In general it was as if the Planet had lifted off a blanet --
though a relatively thin one, to my relatively untrained ears.

I also listened to the Rotel 951 and the Marantz 67se (though not in direct comparisons with the Cambridge). I liked both players. Between the two I found the Rotel to offer more clarity and definition in the mids and highs, and was overall a bit more musical. The Marantz excelled in the lower registers, though, and offered warmer and richer sound. (I really do not know what others are talking about when they complain about the 67se's "harshness").

The upshot is that the CD4SE seems to me to offer much of the clarity and definition of the Rotel, but also sounds more neutral and has a warmer low-end. When the opportunity came to purchase the Cambridge for $400 I jumped at the chance. Outstanding value. For this price point I'd say 5 stars.

For the price ($500CDN...or about 340US) you really can't go wrong...clear, defined, uncoloured. I understand it's about to be replaced so there may bargains out there right now.

If your searching for a smooth, detailed, dynamic and most important of all,musical CDplayer look no further. The player that came closest to this was
the Rega Planet which costs $250 more and to me had 3 faults >
1) while the CD4se is warm sounding it isn't to the extent of the Rega
which in turn made the music dull and not focused
2) both have treble roll off but with the Rega it also meant a loss of
detail, not so with the CD4se
3) the Rega lacked pace and bass extension to that of the CD4se

If there is a fault to the Cambridge Audio Cd4se it would have to be build
quality. While good, it isn't as well built as the Rega Planet but more
important is the way the CD4se presents the music cuz thats what its all about.

OK folks, let's put all the audio terms and fancy (subjective) descriptions to rest once and for all. This product simply stated.....is a giant waiting to be discovered. The sound is fantastic, bass is generous, and it is extremely affordable. This unit is dirt cheap compared to all the high end pieces that audio shops so feverishly try to push to the customer, even though they are all fully aware there are pieces (such as this), that sound so much better and still allow you to buy groceries, and gas up your car. Don't even look at other products right now, buy this one. You will NOT regret it. I have often been sucked into the high end audio black hole, to find that the products that cost so much are made like clock radios. This unit is solid and gives great performance.

All by it's lonesome, dollar for dollar, pound for pound, the CD4SE is the best CD player deal in the world. (Rumor has it that it will soon be replaced by a new 24-bit model, so you may want to wait for the new iteration to appear or you may just decide to run out and get the SE while you still can)
Good as it is, though, the CD4SE really sings when coupled with the very affordable MSB Link DAC. You'll have the best sounding CD player you've ever heard -- vastly greater detail from all your CDs old and new; a wider, deeper soundstage, better bass (albeit only after a veeeeerrrry long burn-in period), and the ability to really hear the full sonic glory of 24-bit CDs -- all for not a lot of Benjamin Franklins.

Well, here It is as promised, almost.I have just spent a very trying five weeks with this player and four others, I do not think I can write four more reviews.If interested what I think of this player see my AH!Tjoeb'98 review.

The CD4SE was my first step in moving away from a mass market system. The difference was incredible. All the usual cliches apply here in spades - detailed yet warm sounding, palpable presence, tremendous musicality. And all this when connected to a cheapo receiver and speakers! I have since upgraded the rest of my system and it just keeps getting better and better. Associated gear:Acurus RL-11 preamp, Acurus A100 amp and PSB 400i speakers (will upgrade these soon!). Interconnects are Straightwire Encore II, speaker cables Audioquest Type 6.
I think the CD4SE is a great match with the Acurus gear since it tends to offset some of the latter's brightness.
The only cause of complaint I have is this: the tray opens in a rather undignified, "slammy" fashion - my cheapo Technics had a much smoother operation .
That minor quibble aside, I don't see any reason to pay several hundred bucks more for say, the Rega Planet, other than for its slightly superior build quality and (arguably) cool looks. Music-wise, the CD4SE is every bit the Planet's equal.
Highly, highly recommended. Probably the deal of the century.