Arcam

[matthewpiano]

Jack White:
Hi Matthew,

Wouldn't consider myself a hi fi buff, but since you always kindly take the time to post your findings here, I'll give you my thoughts. Since you're considering budget kit, why not audition some Denon? I own the dcd500ae, which is a pretty good cdp, and I auditioned the pma500ae and 700ae amps. I know whf is not crazy about those, but I felt they held up well against budget HK, CA and Marantz. Added bonus is a (supposedly, I haven't tried that) decent phono stage. Bought my cdp ex-demo, and the amps should be available with a discount, with the 510, 710 etc series coming in.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Thanks for the suggestion Jack. I think my dealer stocks the Denon stuff so I'll try to hear it as another option.

BTW, you are probably better not being a hi-fi buff and concentrating on the music instead. Its a position I'll be happy to reach to be honest! It can take over a bit.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

 

[JoelSim]

plastic penguin:
igglebert:matthewpiano:igglebert:I'm listening to a CD now that sounds hard and unpleasent, even on my relatively neutral/warm system with Rothwell Attenuators. Very detailed but very hard. Maybe the truth is, Matt, that you need to keep two systems and use them for different music! Or as a wise man said earlier, get some tone controls. Quad still fit their Tilt control to their 99 preamp as it's such a good idea. Yes I think tone controls can be very useful if they are decent ones. Running 2 systems is out of the question. I agree it seems to be the case, but there must be some way of settling on a solution that gives me enjoyment without having to have alternatives to hand. Fair play. Still, I like thinking about this one over a coffee

I think Matthew is trying to acheive the impossible - he's looking for the perfect sound as opposed to the perfect compromise.Hi-fi is a grey area; widening (or adding to the possible options) will only confuse matters further.....

The answer? there isn't one, in my view, unless you spend at least 2k per component: That's, also, debateable.

Why not consider Roksan Kandy LIII or Creek Evo. They will drive those Quads with aplomb. Partner it with Arcam CD73T - this will give him the warmth - matches brilliantly with the gun-ho attack of the Roksan (or lively Creek). It's the ideal compromise....not the perfect solution.

I'm not sure I agree. 2 years ago I picked up the CD92/A85/P85/T61 for £840. I was as happy as a pig in muck with it, the number of times I didn't get into it after switching it on I could count on less than one hand. In your position matthew I would go for a system similar to what I had and I'm 99% sure it will be right up your street.

 

[plastic penguin]

JoelSim:plastic penguin:

igglebert:matthewpiano:igglebert:I'm listening to a CD now that sounds hard and unpleasent, even on my relatively neutral/warm system with Rothwell Attenuators. Very detailed but very hard. Maybe the truth is, Matt, that you need to keep two systems and use them for different music! Or as a wise man said earlier, get some tone controls. Quad still fit their Tilt control to their 99 preamp as it's such a good idea. Yes I think tone controls can be very useful if they are decent ones. Running 2 systems is out of the question. I agree it seems to be the case, but there must be some way of settling on a solution that gives me enjoyment without having to have alternatives to hand. Fair play. Still, I like thinking about this one over a coffee

I think Matthew is trying to acheive the impossible - he's looking for the perfect sound as opposed to the perfect compromise.Hi-fi is a grey area; widening (or adding to the possible options) will only confuse matters further.....

The answer? there isn't one, in my view, unless you spend at least 2k per component: That's, also, debateable.

Why not consider Roksan Kandy LIII or Creek Evo. They will drive those Quads with aplomb. Partner it with Arcam CD73T - this will give him the warmth - matches brilliantly with the gun-ho attack of the Roksan (or lively Creek). It's the ideal compromise....not the perfect solution.

I'm not sure I agree. 2 years ago I picked up the CD92/A85/P85/T61 for £840. I was as happy as a pig in muck with it, the number of times I didn't get into it after switching it on I could count on less than one hand. In your position matthew I would go for a system similar to what I had and I'm 99% sure it will be right up your street.

I wish I had your confidence, joel - the amount of stuff Matthew has bought trying to achieve sonic nirvana. Like my set-up I'm happyas Larry, but it has flaws, but for the money it's great. perfect, nah.

 

[JoelSim]

plastic penguin:JoelSim:plastic penguin:
igglebert:matthewpiano:igglebert:I'm listening to a CD now that sounds hard and unpleasent, even on my relatively neutral/warm system with Rothwell Attenuators. Very detailed but very hard. Maybe the truth is, Matt, that you need to keep two systems and use them for different music! Or as a wise man said earlier, get some tone controls. Quad still fit their Tilt control to their 99 preamp as it's such a good idea. Yes I think tone controls can be very useful if they are decent ones. Running 2 systems is out of the question. I agree it seems to be the case, but there must be some way of settling on a solution that gives me enjoyment without having to have alternatives to hand. Fair play. Still, I like thinking about this one over a coffee

I think Matthew is trying to acheive the impossible - he's looking for the perfect sound as opposed to the perfect compromise.Hi-fi is a grey area; widening (or adding to the possible options) will only confuse matters further.....

The answer? there isn't one, in my view, unless you spend at least 2k per component: That's, also, debateable.

Why not consider Roksan Kandy LIII or Creek Evo. They will drive those Quads with aplomb. Partner it with Arcam CD73T - this will give him the warmth - matches brilliantly with the gun-ho attack of the Roksan (or lively Creek). It's the ideal compromise....not the perfect solution.

I'm not sure I agree. 2 years ago I picked up the CD92/A85/P85/T61 for £840. I was as happy as a pig in muck with it, the number of times I didn't get into it after switching it on I could count on less than one hand. In your position matthew I would go for a system similar to what I had and I'm 99% sure it will be right up your street.

I wish I had your confidence, joel - the amount of stuff Matthew has bought trying to achieve sonic nirvana. Like my set-up I'm happyas Larry, but it has flaws, but for the money it's great. perfect, nah.

Nothing's perfect PP, but this worked very well as a system. The number of times I had to drag myself off to bed at gone 2am...

I would go for the CD192 over the 92 though.

 

[plastic penguin]

JoelSim:plastic penguin:JoelSim:plastic penguin:

igglebert:matthewpiano:igglebert:I'm listening to a CD now that sounds hard and unpleasent, even on my relatively neutral/warm system with Rothwell Attenuators. Very detailed but very hard. Maybe the truth is, Matt, that you need to keep two systems and use them for different music! Or as a wise man said earlier, get some tone controls. Quad still fit their Tilt control to their 99 preamp as it's such a good idea. Yes I think tone controls can be very useful if they are decent ones. Running 2 systems is out of the question. I agree it seems to be the case, but there must be some way of settling on a solution that gives me enjoyment without having to have alternatives to hand. Fair play. Still, I like thinking about this one over a coffee

I think Matthew is trying to acheive the impossible - he's looking for the perfect sound as opposed to the perfect compromise.Hi-fi is a grey area; widening (or adding to the possible options) will only confuse matters further.....

The answer? there isn't one, in my view, unless you spend at least 2k per component: That's, also, debateable.

Why not consider Roksan Kandy LIII or Creek Evo. They will drive those Quads with aplomb. Partner it with Arcam CD73T - this will give him the warmth - matches brilliantly with the gun-ho attack of the Roksan (or lively Creek). It's the ideal compromise....not the perfect solution.

I'm not sure I agree. 2 years ago I picked up the CD92/A85/P85/T61 for £840. I was as happy as a pig in muck with it, the number of times I didn't get into it after switching it on I could count on less than one hand. In your position matthew I would go for a system similar to what I had and I'm 99% sure it will be right up your street.

I wish I had your confidence, joel - the amount of stuff Matthew has bought trying to achieve sonic nirvana. Like my set-up I'm happyas Larry, but it has flaws, but for the money it's great. perfect, nah.

Nothing's perfect PP, but this worked very well as a system. The number of times I had to drag myself off to bed at gone 2am...

I would go for the CD192 over the 92 though.

this is the point I made earlier - it seems Matthew is attempting to find something that just doesn't exist....

Am another 2am person - the OH goes barmy at being up so late. Maybe that's a trait of an Arcam admirer.....

 

[matthewpiano]

Joel, thanks for the suggestions and your input. I've always been envious of how much pleasure you seem to have got out of your Arcam system, and the fact that you still speak so highly of it after upgrading only goes to show how much you loved it.

I don't think I can afford to ignore what you have said, despite my aversion to buying used kit again, and so I will explore opportunities for hearing some of the kit you mention.

Thanks again.

PP - I agree that I've probably been looking for something that doesn't exist at reasonable price points and I know that I've got to reset my expectations. Your valuable points are very greatly appreciated.

 

[JoelSim]

matthewpiano:Joel, thanks for the suggestions and your input. I've always been envious of how much pleasure you seem to have got out of your Arcam system, and the fact that you still speak so highly of it after upgrading only goes to show how much you loved it.I don't think I can afford to ignore what you have said, despite my aversion to buying used kit again, and so I will explore opportunities for hearing some of the kit you mention.Thanks again.PP - I agree that I've probably been looking for something that doesn't exist at reasonable price points and I know that I've got to reset my expectations. Your valuable points are very greatly appreciated.

To be honest if you got it on fleabay and didn't like it, just sell it on. I have had no problem selling my stuff. It's a shame I don't have it any more as I'd have been happy to give you a demo.

 

[plastic penguin]

matthewpiano:Joel, thanks for the suggestions and your input. I've always been envious of how much pleasure you seem to have got out of your Arcam system, and the fact that you still speak so highly of it after upgrading only goes to show how much you loved it. I don't think I can afford to ignore what you have said, despite my aversion to buying used kit again, and so I will explore opportunities for hearing some of the kit you mention. Thanks again. PP - I agree that I've probably been looking for something that doesn't exist at reasonable price points and I know that I've got to reset my expectations. Your valuable points are very greatly appreciated.

Like Joel, I get immeasurably pleasure from my system (so much I've never tried to measure it...LOL).

Have you still got the Quads? your sig seems to change on a daily basis....

 

[matthewpiano]

plastic penguin:
matthewpiano:Joel, thanks for the suggestions and your input. I've always been envious of how much pleasure you seem to have got out of your Arcam system, and the fact that you still speak so highly of it after upgrading only goes to show how much you loved it. I don't think I can afford to ignore what you have said, despite my aversion to buying used kit again, and so I will explore opportunities for hearing some of the kit you mention. Thanks again. PP - I agree that I've probably been looking for something that doesn't exist at reasonable price points and I know that I've got to reset my expectations. Your valuable points are very greatly appreciated.

Like Joel, I get immeasurably pleasure from my system (so much I've never tried to measure it...LOL).

Have you still got the Quads? your sig seems to change on a daily basis....

Yup. I've got all sorts here at present, most of it worthless old stuff, but the Quads are one of the few decent items that haven't left the building, even if they haven't been used very consistently. There is something about them that I like and I suspect that they have more to give than I have heard yet. I certainly prefer them to the Mission 751s - the integration between the drivers is excellent and the soft dome tweeters are much better at handling the 1st and 2nd violins.

Actually I'm going to wipe the kit out of my sig until I've settled on something.

 

[the record spot]

I think that's a tad unfair on the Missions Matt, not least as you're basing it on a partnership with an already bright sounding amp; anything on the high end of the scale is going to sound brittle under those conditions. My own speakers use the same mesh dome tweeters and they work extremely well partnered with the right kit. They're not considered excellent for nothing!

 

[matthewpiano]

the record spot:I think that's a tad unfair on the Missions Matt, not least as you're basing it on a partnership with an already bright sounding amp; anything on the high end of the scale is going to sound brittle under those conditions. My own speakers use the same mesh dome tweeters and they work extremely well partnered with the right kit. They're not considered excellent for nothing!

Yeah, perhaps I should have said 'based on what I've partnered them with so far'. The Missions are still here and not ruled out at all.