Arcam FMJ CD33?

[josh05]

Hi all, I'm thinking of bidding on a Arcam FMJ CD33 on ebay. Got a couple of questions i was hoping someone could answer for me, how much would one expect to pay for this player second hand in near mint condition? and how well would it go with the Nad C355BEE and Spendor A5s or Monitor Audio RX8s?

Thanks.

 

[d_a_n1979]

It was a good CDP but I found it a bit too melow/smooth when I demo'd it.

It'll work well with the NAD amp and either of the speakers (the M/A's better IMO) so dont discount it.

Not sure on your budget but aim for a 2nd hand Rega Apollo or an Arcam DiVA CD192 if you can find one on eBay. If not a new Rega Apollo is only £475 currently so well worth that price and it'll do well in your system!

 

[Anonymous]

You should be able to get the apollo for under £400 if you shop around.

I hoocked it up into my bedroom system, and it punched well above its price point. When I had the arcam 192, I actually prefered it to the arcam, even though it cost half the price!

 

[d_a_n1979]

potboyslim:
You should be able to get the apollo for under £400 if you shop around.

I hoocked it up into my bedroom system, and it punched well above its price point. When I had the arcam 192, I actually prefered it to the arcam, even though it cost half the price!

Sorry to hijack the thread but whats your view on the Apollo Potboy? What kind of music do you listen to etc...?

I'm very tempted to get one on home demo now that I've got my system in place (really jhust to have a side by side demo with the NAD C545BEE CDP).

I did demo the Rega and NAD CDP's on seperate occasions and it was a very close call but the synergy of the NAD's and the RX6's was superb. But, in saying that, that was at the dealers demo room and not in my living room!

I'm very interested now to see what the Rega would be like...

 

[josh05]

thanks guys, so you both reckon the apollo would be better than the FMJ CD33? if it is, its very reasonably priced.

 

[d_a_n1979]

For synergy between your speakers and the ~NAD amp I personally would be going for the Rega Apollo but it also may be worth while demoing the NAD C545BEE CDP as well.

It stands its ground with the Rega Apollo and it works VERY well with the NAD amp!

 

[MattSPL]

Ive owned my Arcam CD33 from new. I bought it in 2003.

I demo'd it against a Primare CD31(I think) and a Krell Kav280.
The Primare was far too laid back and i was put off the Krell due to its very powerful bass in the demo room with the speakers and amp i was purchasing.

I would not in any way call the Arcam CD33 mellow. Its a very detailed player with very good resolution, especially in the bass. The bass also goes very deep, although it doesn't have the same bass power that more expensive players have.

My advice would be to change the internal Ac fuse of the cd33 for a Hifi Tuning silver star and use an upgraded mains cable, also with a Hifi Tuning or Isoclean fuse in it. And you will struggle to find a better player for near the money.

A used CD33 sold here in Ireland in a shop for ?600 not so long ago.

 

[imagerme]

Hello MattSPL,

i just bought an Arcam FMJ CD33T to go with my also recently bought Arcam A85 amplifier.

Don't know much about HiFi but you mention in 2010 comment / advice : "My advice would be to change the internal Ac fuse of the cd33 for a Hifi Tuning silver star and use an upgraded mains cable, also with a Hifi Tuning or Isoclean fuse in it. And you will struggle to find a better player for near the money."

My question : would i be able to do that myself? Is it worth the effort using this amplifier?

kindest regards,

stefan machielse

netherlands

 

[MattSPL]

Hello MattSPL,

i just bought an Arcam FMJ CD33T to go with my also recently bought Arcam A85 amplifier.

Don't know much about HiFi but you mention in 2010 comment / advice : "My advice would be to change the internal Ac fuse of the cd33 for a Hifi Tuning silver star and use an upgraded mains cable, also with a Hifi Tuning or Isoclean fuse in it. And you will struggle to find a better player for near the money."

My question : would i be able to do that myself? Is it worth the effort using this amplifier?

kindest regards,

stefan machielse

netherlands

Hi, yes, you would be able to change the fuse yourself by removing the top cover of the cd player.

There are a number of fuses available from different manufacturers, but I found Hifi Tuning and Synergistic research(SR) fuses to be the best, although not cheap. Hifi Tuning's Supreme3 would be about £30 and the SR fuse around the same.

Just check the fuse rating in the CD player and order the same. I think it was 160mA(T), but can't remember for sure.

Cheers
Matt