CA740A Satisfaction. Long but please bear with me...

[admin_exported]

I dunno if it's just me - are my exptations too high? Is it as good as it gets. is this just how stuff sounds?

Some of you might remember my CA640A unhappiness (seems I am alone in this world about this). I was unable to get a refund (despite the salesman saying "twist my arm and I might"), so was cornered into upgrading to a 740A. I went for the 640A without listening (no way round this) hoping for a cheap amp solution, based on reading stuff on the 'net.

Upon trying out the 740A, the difference was very noticable. Smoother, more rounded yet more punch.

BUT - every evening I sit down and play some stuff, I'm getting less and less happy. Sounds sort of thin and harsh. I just don't seem to enjoy my music so much.

The good chap at Richer (he done his best) promised I can return the 740A and he'd return the difference between that and the 640A and credit note for the rest.

What I think I should have done from the outset is not be too tight and get a Roksan Kandy amp. I'm thinking of cutting my losses and getting the Roksan.

I know there's not a definitive answer, but I respect all your different opinions and would appreciate them right now.

Is the Roksan that much 'better' (punchier, smoother, more balanced) than the 740A?

For what it's worth the rest of my system is MA RS6 and CA640C CDP.

Musically, things like Eric Clapton Unplugged sounds great, as does Richard Thompson some old Peter Greenes Fleetwood Mac etc, but soon as it gets busier, it all goes a bit pear shaped and unpleasant - Green Day, metallica, Soundgarden.

Sorry for the long post, and appreciate your time reading!

Cheers

 

[Andrew Everard]

Think you might be discovering that some of the recordings you mention actually sound pretty horrid when played through a good system...

 

[Anonymous]

Thats what I'm quite afraid of - I'll never be happy. Some music I love, but sounds so awful I can't seem to enjoy it. Specifically White Stripes, Guided By Voices (I know they're a 'lo-fi' thing!), The Strokes; the list goes on. I suspect my use of a semicolon might be inappropriate.

I'd appreciate your opinion on the CA 740A if you've listened to it and whether you think I might find the Roksan to be a different kettle of fish?

Thanks Andrew,

Bloney

 

[Anonymous]

are u sure u got decent interconnects and sp cale and all things connected propely dont mean to offend u but i really dont see how things could sound that bad

 

[Andrew Everard]

Frankly I think a better amp might further expose the flaws in those recordings

 

[Anonymous]

Sex - yeah, good points, no offense taken, of course! I'm just using a Cambridge Audio (Richer Sounds) Pacific interconnect and 2x4m bi-wired Gale Symphony 400 (75% off from Richer Sounds for the 640A thing). Neither are great I suspect. Opinions very welcome, but should I expect anything mroe than a subtle change?

Andrew - I fear you might be right! But for my less lo-fi recordings I would love to be able to enjoy them more with more satisfying, less grating sound. Could I prise an opinion out of you regarding the 740A and Roksan Kandy or alternatives?!

Cheers

bloney

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'd stick with what you have - the Kandy will just make them sound more horrid.

 

[Anonymous]

ok mate here is what i was running till yesterday 540 cd 640 amp ok till here all same as u both ca azur components but i run azur interconnecs much better then pacific and a ixos hxs553 ( respectively £50 and 9.99 per meter) and i was running gale cable 1 month a go and didnt like the soundso i got ixos and all was sorted now u got the 740 give it some good cable and interconnects and u'll notice the diference but if your records are badly recorded or just bad on theyr own u cant blame the amp or the sistem

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think my wife would suggest the same. I can't possibly repeat just exactly what she thinks of most of my music.

Do you really think I should be content with the 740? Its just that the wife always replies with gems like "it'll take more than *that* to make it sound decent" and other cynicisms, that I'm slightly wary of being wound up. I'm gullible at the best of times. I spent far too long believing that dogs can't look up. And chip shops don't open Mondays for religous reasons (even though the one down the road clearly does open on Mondays). And that Scampi is the tail end of a crayfish. The list goes on.

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers, Sex - I'll look into better wires then, although to be honest, I'm skeptical! Need to find some to borrow some off I think!

My bad taste in music is a bit tongue in cheek. I think my point was with music with not a lot going on, especially accoustic etc it can sound great. But on busier stuff with lots of loud stuff going on, it all gets muddled and unpleasant. I thought this might be a clue as to what my problem might be (including me being the problem!).

For example, I've got the Travelling Wilburys Collection playing right now and while it's nice and crisp it soudns aggresive and grating and you can't follow the bass line, cos you can't hear it (well, you can just, but its not balanced). I just keep thinking somethings not right.

cheers

bloney

 

[Anonymous]

u are looking at a picasso through a blured glas, we say in italy i personaly think yur cables and connections are leting u down in this case bluring the sound u are not fidind a good signal to the amp and the amp is noy fiding a good signal to your speakers .by the way what speakers u running

 

[Anonymous]

You're probably right, Sex. Shall look into it.

I got Monitor Audio RS6 speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

u dont need to splas out on cables and interconnects but the more u spend the more u get it's like maryed life in a way

 

[Anonymous]

I certainly don't wanna splash out without reason, but I want to be confident I'm getting the best of my system. Whats the point in spending loads on the electronics only to have it held back by cables?

I know what everyone says about listening before buying, but in my (the real) world, thats not always easy. Listening rooms at hifi shops tend to be carpeted and soft - not at all like my room.

Thats why I value the opinion of others like yourself who have already done the hard bit!

cheers

bloney

 

[Thaiman]

Hi Mate
Firstly, If you are not happy with your original amp you should entitle to a full refund as long as you have all the packaging and the amp is in the original condition.
About your latest 740A.....it's lack punch (I always thought Cambridge Audio made better cd players than amps) but a lot more transparant than the 640A and certainly miles better than your old Yamaha imo. If we go back to your original post, The Marantz that Andrew recommended (or 2nd hand MF A3!) would do a better job though.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Thaiman,

Yup - I thought they would take it back. When I rung them to check, he said "pack it up and bring it back here - if you twist my arm I'm sure we can". But buy the time I'd got back to the shop, he said he'd rung the boss and wasn't allowed to do a refund 🙁 Words ensued, but no movement.

The MF A3 I've read doesn't like rock music and also it's not the newer A3.2, so wasn't entirely sure. The Marantz I read some-ve stuff about (eg http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/342413.html) so was a bit wary of that. Having said that - I value yours and Andrews opinion, so shouldn't have been swayed

So I went the cheap new CA 640A (trying to be sensible!) route and have been stuck in a corner since.

So now I'm in a position where I'm considering cutting my losses (get difference between 640A and 740A refunded and credit for 640A - could go towards our new telly anyway) and getting something else - this time following you guys that I respect recommendations. Like I said earlier - listening before buying can be tricky, esp 2nd hand mail order.

But I wanna get it right this time, so any help very well appreciated and I'll take more heed this time!

Thanks

bloney

 

[Thaiman]

MF A3 really rock although my was the pre/power version. I bought the combo after they won the awards (products of the year in what hifi 2000) and although they could sound slightly forward for some taste but it did gel well with my system at the time.
The build qaulity of the A3 would outclass the like of Cambridge Audio, easy.
I agree that buying 2nd hand hifi can be as tricky as buy a 2nd car + you can't test drive them! but that is why we are reading hifi forums whether this one or hundreads other out there. Having said all that about A3 I would also like to point out that they are other brands that would suited to your taste of music ie Exposure 2010, Naim Nait 5 or older Linn stuffs.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the thoughts, Thaiman. The other amp on the 'well known 2nd hand hifi' site is a Roksan Caspian Integrated for 330gbp. But again, I thnk it's the model before the re-vamp, so have a few doubts too.

I might just hang onto the 740. I'm not 100% happy and I have 14 days to return it (counting down) so want to make up my mind while I have some sort of get-out.

Regarding build quality, the 640A felt a bit cheap but the 740 feels a lot better. The 640 has plasticy horrid feeling knobs while the volume on the 750 is a much sturdier thing thats much weightier and smoother. And the remote works a whole lot better. the black finish of both is quite rough though and does mark easily.

Thanks

bloney

 

[Anonymous]

Considering your recent experience I would have thought that there is one thing that you should absolutely do before making your next move - listen to a few alternatives before deciding.

It doen't matter that the listening room is not like your own. Atleast it gives you the opportunity to decide whether you like the sound of a piece of equipment before parting with any money. It will be time well spent, trust me. The wife and I recently spent almost two hours listening to different interconnects at our local Hi-Fi shop and the result was well worth it. I certainly wouldn't buy and amplifier, CD player or speakers without a couple of extended listening sessions with different types of music.

You could certainly try upgrading your cables. Atlas make some nice interconnects and QED some good speaker cables. This money will not be wasted as you will be able to continue using it even if you change your amp.

The equipment that you have OK, but just make sure that you are making the most of its potential before making another hasty decision.

Oh, one more thing - try a different Hi-Fi shop. Richer Sounds are OK and I have had many a bargain from them in the past, but you can't beat the more relaxed atmosphere of a specialist Hi-Fi shop with knowledgable staff.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks JayKay70, you're absolutely right on all counts.

I knew I was taking a gamble with the Cambridge Audio gear - no listening room and I only have myself to blame.

I bought the speakers from TechnoSound in dunstable - I can't recommend them enough. They were happy to let me take some RS6's home to try when I bought them.

I've just spoken to them and they've offered top advice and suggested home trials of roksan kandy/caspian etc and maybe kandy cdp to see how it all sounds. I suspect I'm going to get some better interconnects and speaker cable and make do with the CA stuff until I can aford to upgrade the amp and cdp after home trials! From Technosound, obviously!

Thanks

Bloney

 

[Anonymous]

I think I am the only person in the world that doesn't like Monitor Audio RS6 or 8,for me they would be the problem to my ears,over bright,over dynamic in yer face sound sound,it just doesn't appeal to me at all,so I wouldn't be too hasty on blaming the Cambridge Audio.

Don't get too hung up on cable choice,differences are quite small.

If your looking for a amplifier that makes music,look at a Sonneteer Campion if you can,it never get reviewed as it's the same basic amplifier from 10 years ago because they got it right and it sound superb.Also look at exposure,Creek for example,but I would really look at more natural sounding speakers first.

 

[Anonymous]

I hope it all works out for you as I know what its like to spend money on an upgrade only to feel disappointed. Just 'upgraded' my digital camera to a new Panasonic model only to find the pictures from my three year old Kodak are much better!!

 

[Anonymous]

Also try a Rotel, they make nice punchy amps. Sounds like the RS salesman deliberately tried to get you to buy the more expensive amp rather than giving you the refund you're presumably entitled to. Havent used Richer for a while now but when I did their salesmen reminded me a bit of Dixons/Currys type salesmen. imo Richer is good if you know what you want and you know you'll like it. Dont fall for any of the extra stuff they try to sell you though.

 

[Thaiman]

[quote user="silly"]I think I am the only person in the world that doesn't like Monitor Audio RS6 or 8[/quote]

No, you are not the only one! Just the 2 of us.

 

[Anonymous]

When you hear a MA next to a Neat speaker,you know how wrong the MA sound,that's the problem,Neats are far more natural,the MA suit electronic music as to me they don't sound natural at all.