Arcam Replacement recommendation

[admin_exported]

Hi Guys, I am a regular reader of What Hi Fi from Japan.

My current system, quite dated, consists of Arcam A90 + Arcam CD72 and B&W 602S3 speakers. I use Monster interconnects with Monster speaker cable and the speakers are on stands.

I would like to replace the CD player and speakers, but keep the A90 amplifier. My budget would be based on any system that would match the A90 in terms of sonics and costs. In my current setup, I need to place the speakers close to the rear wall. Could you recommend suitable replacements?

Certain products are not available in Japan, eg. Cyrus does not have any plans to market in Japan (I wrote to them), so please can you factor in the availability in Japan when you make a recommendation?

Thanks,

 

[matthewpiano]

If you want to stick with Arcam, what about trying to find a really good 2nd user CD192? This would make a big upgrade on your CD72.

Alternatively take a look at the Sony SCD-XA5400ES, which is absolutely superb and would give you SACD playback as well.

Speaker wise I would suggest looking at the Dynaudio and Dali ranges - both pair very well with Arcam kit (I'm not sure about availability in Japan).

Hope this helps.

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO the A90 is a good amp but I've always felt it's a bit gutless with not a lot of weight behind it. Dont get me wrong, it's got bags of power but that seems to be it!

I agree that the upgrade to a CD192 would be bang on and also the speakers may do with an upgrade; I reckon the B&W CM5's would be a superb upgrade or, if your budget can stretch to it, the B&W CM7's.

Why do you feel that you need to upgrade and also what kind of music do you listen to?

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the reply and the recommendations.

I mostly listen to Pop-Rock, Classic and Jazz.

Dan1979, you have hit the nail on the head...I have always felt the combination sounded gutless also lacking in the top end sparkle that I was looking for. For example, I played the Paul Weller "Days of Speed" set on a friends Marantz - Tannoy based system, and mine sounded "muddy" by comparison and the strings lacked the sparkle.

I always thought that the CD72 was the weakest link in the system, hence the request for a recommendation.

WhatHifi has always recommended matching costs with all the components, isnt the Sony a bit pricey for the Amp and Speakers that I have?

 

[jase fox]

jas819,

I own the Arcam 73 CDP & i use the same speakers as you & i personally think the B&W 602s still stand there ground to this day, they maybe a few yrs old now but they still get great reviews to this day & there great performers.

Why do you want to upgrade?

 

[aliEnRIK]

Personally id suggest bi-amping (If the speakers have the terminals to do so)

And I dont want to get into a fight over it but Arcams in particular seem to REALLY thrive when used with a decent mains cable

 

[Anonymous]

Get some better interconnects too. I have always found they make a very noticable difference.

 

[jase fox]

aliEnRIK:
And I dont want to get into a fight over it but Arcams in particular seem to REALLY thrive when used with a decent mains cable

Totally agreed, i use a RA classic powerkord with mine & it transformed the sound tenfold.

 

[chebby]

...

 

[Anonymous]

Another option, provided you could find one, would be to get an Arcam DV135 DVD. I bought mine new for £300, and use it 90% of the time as my main CD player and have to say it is absolutely outstanding. Specs here

 

[JoelSim]

A CD192 has much more verve and sparkle than a CD72, so that could be an option. Chalk and cheese to me.

I also had a pair of B&W 602s for a short period of time but I found them muffled compared to some Linn speakers that I had at the time, there are much better speakers around than those.

And it's true that adding a power amp to the A90 will provide a much better hi-end sound, as will putting decent cables on them, mains and interconnects.

 

[bigblue235]

I'd have to agree that adding a CD192 would be a step in the right direction.

A power amp should be good too, but I wouldn't buy one until you've replaced the CD player. If you still dislike the sound, then the power amp wouldn't transform it. In my experience, it refines the sound rather than changing it markedly. So you may be better changing to a different amp rather than adding to the one you have.

Changing the power cables on my system had no real effect to my ears, but YMMV!

 

[matthewpiano]

Jas819:

WhatHifi has always recommended matching costs with all the components, isnt the Sony a bit pricey for the Amp and Speakers that I have?

Possibly, but you really need to buy a CD player that will stand any future upgrades you make to your amplification and the Sony would certainly give you more of the sparkle you appear to be seeking. Having said that, I don't know what the price is like in Japan.