Price Paid:  $199.00

Summary:
Thoroughly enjoy the sound produced by this simple player. I've heard worse from more expensive units. I use it in my bedroom so a remote would be nice, but I can get by without it. Used with 1979 Sony TA-F3A and B&W 302's to produce a detailed but not harsh sound.

Strengths:
Traditional NAD styling and reproduction of sound.

Weaknesses:
No remote

Similar Products Used:
NAD 521i, other Marantz and Sony players.

Price Paid:  $225.00 from Krenning Audio, Holland

Summary:
The only real disadvantage is the loud click that you hear at the beginning of a track sometimes. The overall sound-improvement over my Pioneer cd-player (which was more expensive than the NAD and broke down after 4 years) is stunning. The fact that it's non-programmable was a bit of a bummer but now I finally play my cd's from the first till the last track instead of zappping like crazy :)

Strengths:
good sound, never skips, reliable

Weaknesses:
sometimes you get a click at the beginning of a track, non-programmable, no remote control

Similar Products Used:
Denon, Pioneer, JVC

Price Paid:  $300.00 from can't remember

Summary:
For the price there are very few otehr players out there which can match the NAD when it comes to good tonal balance and a taste of the high end. Though it does have its good points the NAD also suffers from reliability problems. I managed to get rid of the CD skips by placing it where there is no breeze and also on a good rigid stand. It's been 4 years now and the NAD is starting to give a few problems like skipping tracks and not reading the CD. This can be caused by a worn laser which is normal. Another bad thing about the NAD is its limitations when it comes to upgrading. There is no digital output so you can't do much. I've trued to do a few mods under the cover such as replacing the power supply caps with Philips caps and adding bypass caps to the ned of these. I've also replaced the output jacks with gold-plated ones. I';ve changed the power cord and added an IEC connector. I've changed the feet and added car wheel bearings to each foot. So far all these mods have brought significant improvements to the sound and I hope to upgrade the transport soon.

Strengths:
Good detail, very balanced sound though a bit lacking in the bass department.

Weaknesses:
reliability, CD skips sometimes, very sensitive to movement around it.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz CD-63

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Don't remember

Summary:
This is the best CD player for the money. I bought this player about four years ago and never had a problem with it. Simple to use and great sounding.

Strengths:
Price Performance

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Summary:
A friend of mine owns this player and we have listened to it on and off for about two years - about every second or third day - so I think I can comment fairly.
The 510 doesn't sound terrible, it's just that other machines do what it does so much better.
The first thing I noticed with this player is the complete lack of bass detail - on Moby's Natural Blues the bass rumbles heavily throughout the track, sort of a very low-pitched hum - this is ENTIRELY nonexistent through the 510.
Also, the sound lacks substance and tangibility - there's none of that "you are there" feeling - it's just all too diffused and thin. As a result the music never really sucks you in.
Detail levels are not very good either - especially microdynamics and ambient details are poor - making it difficult to "understand" the inner workings of the music.
I can't really say what it does very well - soundstaging seems OK and imaging is also pretty good (although this may be the speakers shining through) - but one struggles to shake the feeling that you aren't getting the most of the music.
I must add though that this player is into its last days - it will be upgraded soon to fit in with the rest of the set-up which is, in my opinion, very good.
System: Musical Fidelity Tempest Integrated Amp, NAD 510 (about to go), Inifity Reference 51i speakers (awesome bass response - great highs and mids - although the bass driver integration could possibly be a bit better) and Cable Talk cables.
All said, the player certainly isn't a pile of horsewaste, but it is bettered significantly by many other players in its class.

Strengths:
It sounds pretty much like any budget player out there.

Weaknesses:
Poor detail levels, very poor bass, sounds lifeless and flat.

Similar Products Used:
NAD 524, HK FL8300, Rotel RCD 951