Audiolab 8200cd or Cambridge Audio 851c

[J_P_P]

Hello, Anyone has compared the sound of the Audiolab 8200cd to a Cambridge Audio 851c , wich are both supossed to have maybe a sound that is neutral/analytic and forward sound ? Do they sound remotely similar ? i am looking for a CD player with maybe a slighty more agressive than my Marantz CD6005...and these 2 , made me curious also because they have several Filters than change the sound slighty... Any other recommendations in this price range ? I have an AVR Arcam 750 with Focal Arias speakers.

 

[bebelacus]

I have the Audiolab 8200CDQ which is the same thing as 8200CD plus a built in pre-amp. It sounds great and lots of connections for digital sources. Never listened the CA but you cant go wrong with the 8200cd.

 

[J_P_P]

I have the Audiolab 8200CDQ which is the same thing as 8200CD plus a built in pre-amp. It sounds great and lots of connections for digital sources. Never listened the CA but you cant go wrong with the 8200cd.

Thanks ! Yes, it should be a good player...i tend more towards the 851c maybe because the "cd transport" seems more robust and the 8200 transport seems pretty "thin".

From the reviews i expect them to sound relatively similar...slighty analytic/ neutral and a little forward. The 851c is a little more expensive.

Do you think the Digital filters on the player, change the sound much ? The reviews are slighty contraditory...

 

[bebelacus]

3 years with my player and not a problem. You won't sit on it will you?
The filters are making quite a difference, it is easily audible. But i mostly stay on one filter which i found best for my ears, so i wouldnt worry much.

 

[J_P_P]

3 years with my player and not a problem. You won't sit on it will you? The filters are making quite a difference, it is easily audible. But i mostly stay on one filter which i found best for my ears, so i wouldnt worry much.

Thanks ! Good to know. *i-m_so_happy*

I just seem a couple of comments saying that the Audiolab's tray is slimmer than other trays, and it can be a little bothersome to insert the CD, you have to be careful and make sure the CD is relly "well" placed in the tray. Things like that...

I have also seem some reports of Quality control problems in the Audiolab, but i also seem similar reports with the 851c

 

[J_P_P]

What about the Marantz SA 8005 ? Anyone heard it and compared it with any of these 2 players ?

Wonder how much better the Marantz SA 8005 will be compared to my Marantz Cd6005...probably the "sound" won't be much different...

 

[andymanicy]

Was listening to the 851c this morning through a 351a into Dynaudio 2/7 speakers at Richer Sounds and it sounded superb to me. Very detailed, and no frequency confusion in the midrange. Awseom bottom end retention. I was so impressed I'm going back to hear the 651c (which is more within my budget, unfortunately)!

 

[J_P_P]

Was listening to the 851c this morning through a 351a into Dynaudio 2/7 speakers at Richer Sounds and it sounded superb to me. Very detailed, and no frequency confusion in the midrange. Awseom bottom end retention. I was so impressed I'm going back to hear the 651c (which is more within my budget, unfortunately)!

Never heard the 651c, but it doesn't have the same DAC chips as the 851c, although i think it still upsamples the signal and has the 3 different filter options.