When Compared to the $1k and more CD players, yes there are certain areas where this unit may fall short. But when you consider the fact that this unit goes for under $350, it's got a pretty amazing sound. I was more than happy with the sound when I unpacked it from the box, and it just keeps sounding better and better. Better value for the money can not be had.

I recently bought an NAD 512 and have it feeding an ONKYO TX-8211 through JADE interconnects. Speakers are Radio Shack Optimus PRO LX5's (designed by Linaeum). I think the 512 is great! It produces a very "liquid" sound, very warm and engaging. No listener fatigue at all. I tried John Fisk's guitar transcription of the Paganini Etudes. The recording lasts 79 minutes and 30 seconds-absolutely no problem. My copy of the 512 doesn't make any superious sounds at all. I would definetly recommend to anyone interested in a relatively inexpensive disc player that they try this product. I give it a 5 out of a possible 5!

This is a great little CD player for the money. I can't think of anything in this price range which competes with it. My rating is based in absolute terms. This is certainly not a perfect product.
Strong points: Great price, nice size, excellent smooth, musical and pleasant sound for the money; good transport;

Weak points: Will not track CD's which exceed the normal time limits, transport "pops" occasionally on some CD's; DAC section lacks depth and detail.

I bought the 512 and hooked it to a very good Sony receiver. I am using a pair of Castle ISIS speakers --rated highly in England-- and I am getting very rich, tight sound. The highs seem a bit sharp, so I have to reduce theble. But the overall bass response seems great. NAD is the best CD player I have owned, but I have had two others which were certainly second and third rate. This is first rate, even within a moderate price range.

Great sound, clear top end, adequate bass, good buy at $273.00. The display is just plain silly. Five stars for the combination of sound and price. The silly display brings it down to four.

I think the NAD 512 is a VERY good CD player for the money. I have owned more than a dozen CD players since 1985, including NAD models 5325, 5300, and 502. The 512 sounds very similar to the 502, and better than everything else I have owned, including the excellent $750 Denon DCD-2560.
I had the display problem with the 502 after about 18 months. I bought my 512 used for $180 and so far the display has not burned out. I wish the build quality on the NAD players was better, but I have no complaints about the sound.
Full, rich, and non-fatiguing. It sounds great on fine recordings and is nicely forgiving on those CDs which tend to be strident or harsh.

simple, not very expensive, comparatively

display is dim

This player is a bargain. This player is for people who want to move a bit above the run of the mill JVC, Sony, Pioneer, Technics, etc. crap that is at Best Buy. It sounds MUCH clearer than most (I haven't heard every cd player) of those players and doesn't cost much more, especially if you can pick one up used.

It does not sound THAT terrific, however, and if you're in the market for some low high-end stuff, buy something else (although I don't know what, I'm still looking). It sounds VERY "digitally" and, for lack of better words, not "musical" or "refined". Some of my friends think it sounds terrific, but they have Sony and Aiwa systems.

A very slight problem with the player is that the display is hard to see from distances beyond 5 feet. It works, but it's just hard to see.

Similar Products Used:

nad, denon, rotel

appearance, detail of music

not the best in the world for sound quality

this cd player is absolutely terrific compared to the mass-produced stuff at best buy and circuit city (i.e. jvc sony kenwood technics, etc.)

this cd player is not the best cd player in the world. i have not heard the best cd player in the world. you have probably not heard the best cd player in the world because if you have, you would have it on right now, if you could afford it. there might not be a best cd player in the world. even if there was, this wouldn't be it. the reason is that this player is wonderful at its price. for $2000 the cd player will sound better in terms of "musicality" and such. but this player gives excellent detail and sounds good. i have tried to compare it to other cd players (comparisons are inherently difficult) but i think this one sounds much "clearer" and has more detail than others that are <$500.

buy one of these if you can find one for less than $200.

Similar Products Used:

i've used all kinds of cd players, mostly from circuit city and best buy

good looks

Sound

I have had this player for some time now and I choose to use my cheap 5-disk player instead. Maybe this cd player is just a bad match for my system, I don't know. the best way to describe it is uninvolving..blah. I would try another NAD product( I always try before I buy) but I can't recommend the 512.


I rate this product a 3 do to it;s disappointing sound

I used this CD player in connection with Densen DM-10 and DALI 109/System Audio 5010 Signature. In comparison with COPLAND CDA288 as a nearly absolute reference it proved itself as more subtile then bombastic, with a slightly underpowered and slow bass. But the midrange and high tones were crystal clear and transparent, especially when using Flatline Red Dawn cables.I would reccomend it highly to everybody, as it has a very high performance/price ratio.