cd 6002 or azur 640cv2

[tosh]

Hi, my v1 has bit the dust and i have these two to choose in richer sounds. I have a arcam a65+ and kef iq5se. Any suggestions would be grateful. Thanks

 

[Clare Newsome]

We tested the two head-to-head when deciding our 2007 Awards, and decided the Marantz had the clear edge all-round. The v2 Cambridge is still a good player, but they're already working on a v3 - looking forward to hearing that! (No date for release yet).

 

[tosh]

Thanks Clare

 

[John Duncan]

But my 640 still rocks

 

[tosh]

v2?

 

[John Duncan]

Yes, a v2. I remember a quote from another magazine which normally specialises in very high end: "this is where real CD replay starts". And paraphrasing because I can't remember it completely - "some budget players inhabit waters marked 'here be dragons' - this one sails into those waters like Ferdinand Magellan". I went straight out and bought one after that.

Oh and one from a magazine closer to home when they reviewed it first - "we'd give it six stars if we could".

Mine feeds an 850 quid amp and 700 quid speakers and I never, ever feel short changed by it. But I haven't spent any quality time with the 6002, and none in my system. Note also that the 6002's actually 10 quid cheaper at RS just now (if you quote the WHF advert) and tbh you might prefer the aesthetics.

 

[tosh]

Thanks JohnDuncan.

 

[vinod_david]

Duncan, what amp and speakers you use. Mine is 640 V2 amp and cd player, but still searching for a good floor speaker. i am leaning towards MA RS6 and KEF IQ9, am from different part of world actually. I am confused as to whether CA drives MA well or KEF well. i am happy about hearing positives about 640C V2 from you, great, coz lately this CD6002 is making news a lot in this forum. sometime am kicking myself for not getting CD6002, so far i have't played both 640 cd and amp, its still with me brand new. hope it sound excellent after i decide my speakers. thanx.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Depends upon your budget but if you're already running an Arcam Amp why not look at a decent 2nd hand Arcam CD player off Ebay or other 2nd hand hifi sites

I'd look at an Arcam Alpha 7 or 8SE CD player, possibly the Arcam CD72/73 CD players as well.

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="d_a_n1979"]Depends upon your budget but if you're already running an Arcam Amp why not look at a decent 2nd hand Arcam CD player off Ebay or other 2nd hand hifi sites

I'd look at an Arcam Alpha 7 or 8SE CD player, possibly the Arcam CD72/73 CD players as well.[/quote]
I had my friend's Arcam 7 in my system (which for the earlier poster is a Creek Classic amp with PMC DB1+) and I thought it was a bit one-dimensional (cf 'zzzzzz') compared to the Cambridge, but that was on short listening. It died just the other week so he's just replaced it with something up the range - an 8 I think - but he hasn't brought it round yet, so can't comment.

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="vinod_david"]Duncan, what amp and speakers you use. Mine is 640 V2 amp and cd player, but still searching for a good floor speaker.[/quote]

Creek Classic, PMC DB1+

[quote user="vinod_david"]I am leaning towards MA RS6 and KEF IQ9, am from different part of world actually. I am confused as to whether CA drives MA well or KEF well. [/quote]

For that price, you should also consider higher-quality stand-mounters, like PMC, AVI, ProAc. To me they provide a better overall sound, whilst sacrificing surprisingly little bass. On the floorstander side though, an tempted by the look of the Totem Arro, I may investigate shortly.

[quote user="vinod_david"]i am happy about hearing positives about 640C V2 from you, great, coz lately this CD6002 is making news a lot in this forum. sometime am kicking myself for not getting CD6002, so far i have't played both 640 cd and amp, its still with me brand new. hope it sound excellent after i decide my speakers. thanx.[/quote]

It's a great player, enjoy it. To my mind CD players are so good nowadays that the differences below £1k are small compared with the difference you can get by 'overspending' on amp and loudspeakers.