Hi Nicks
I have had both the cambridge 640V2 and the 740A at home to audition. They are gutless and boring. Needless to say both went back immediately! I somehow doubt their entry level 340 improves on that but hey, you never know.
Last week, on another visit to a local dealer I've listened to the NAD 315BEE with matching new NAD cd player through NAD's own little standmount (i cant recall the model) and for the money it was very impressive. The 315 did have a slightly 'loose' bass but this should not be overstated, it really is slightly loose and it did the rest of it very well. Timing, impact and rythm ... nice. Use it with a good standmount (bookshelf) speaker and you're laughing. However, it has no pre-outs and only one set of speaker terminals so speaker choice is crucial as you cant add a sub without compromising sound quality greatly. By the way, I dont rate NAD to greatly otherwise. The 320BEE is rubbish, soft and the treble is coarse and rolled off.
Marantz, well, I have an old PM66KI sig which, ever so often, sees the light of day if I compare something. Its lovely and I honestly dont think (and I'm not the only one if you look at forums) it has been bettered in any significant degree with the latest models. BUT ... whilst I rate it highly, its not a rockers amp. Beautiful mids and highs, limited bass. Marantz tradition?
Now the best bit ... them overrated MS902i's. I bought them because they were reduced to £99.00 and I have a second system in the bedroom which I thought could have done with some new speakers. Not good!!!! After running them in for seven days non-stop they were wooly, unfocused and with a treble plateau which could clearly be heard. Look nice though. The Wharfs (9.1) is a complete waste of time unless you add a sub. It has no bass whatsoever and is a bit polite. Still better than the 902's. I have'nt heard the MA BR2's. They have decent reviews ... but so do the 902's!
I listen to all sorts of music and for me a system has to do it all in the context of how much I spend on it. I have had many many different systems over the years and kind of got a bit jaded with the hype new stuff attracts. Dont forget, mags need advertisers and reviewers have to come up with well ... new reviews. It is also beyond the practical to compare new with all old. So be a bit cynical.
OK, back to your 'dilemma'. Unless you insist on buying new (I'd go for the nads if you must) here is my choice for a rocking, good looking, powerful system:
Denon PMA 355UK amplifier - remote controlled, superb bass and attack with enough power to drive most speakers, pre-outs (you can at a later stage add a sub or power amp but I think you find you won't have to) and two sets of speaker terminals. Treble not as refined as marantz but thats about it. You should get a mint sample, boxed for around £100
Denon 685 CD player, matches the above amp and you should get a mint one for £40-50 boxed
Mordaunt Short MS10i or 20i pearl editions on decent stands. Unbelievable tight, deep bass and a lovely clarity for perhaps £25/40 in good condition. Miles ahead of the 902's and smaller too (10i).
So, for perhaps £160 you have a great system, every component is good enough to survive an upgrade or two within the rest of the system. Then top it off with some half decent interconnects and speaker cables, a secondhand pair of atacama SE24's stands (unfilled!! it works with the MS, rigid is not always best) and for a total of maybe £200 you have a system that will shake the house but also plays beautifully with the more subtle, sorry, twiddly stuff. Oh yes, forget about floorstanders unless you can afford a pair of rega's R3's. Best speakers, in my opinion, below £500. Now I've completely bored myself and have to stop mate.
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