CD Player upgrade?

[admin_exported]

Due to enforced lack of space (wife) and children with wandering hands I have had to reduce my separates system to something more 'minimalistic' and child proof that caters for both home cinema and CD. Consequently my current set up comprises of an old Philips CD850, Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0 with Powerstation 2, Cambridge Audio Azur 340R, Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2's (childproof tweeters), DVD via playstation 3, Chord interconnects and cables.

The current sound from this system appears to favour the lean side of neutral and I was thinking about possibly upgrading to a 'warm' sounding CD player to offset this. I am led to believe that an Arcam player would be a good choice. I am willing to spend up to around £500 on a new or second hand player..

My other question is that the Audio Alchemy DDE set up cost approx £500 ten years ago and worked great with a Pioneer A400 (GTE version) and Castle York speakers (tweeters ruined by children). Would I get better performance from a current CD player?

I still have the A400 under my bed.

 

[the record spot]

Not necessarily; you might find you could do better by upgrading the DAC. Your CD player was pretty decent in its' day (is it the Mk II or the original version?) and I think it could still turn in a good performance today.

 

[Anonymous]

It is the original version but it has had a clock upgrade, so might still function as a decent transport. If the DAC is the way to go what do you recommend with my setup? The Dacmagic gets rave reviews and I think I am correct in saying it uses the same Wolfson DACS as an Arcam unit?

 

[the record spot]

Well, at under £300 there's the Beresford 7520 (approx £150), the Musical Fidelity V-DAC which is a bit of a cult favourite and one place was doing it for £150 a while back and the Dacmagic itself. Not sure which one I would go for, but I might be tempted to try out the MF too if you can get hold of one.

After that, it's a matter of taste really. There should be reviews on the this site for the three of these DACs, so you could do some early boning up ahead of hitting the shops!

Nice player though, the 850 I mean. Never heard one, but it's a tweaker's dream for upgrading and right up there with the Marantz CD94 I hear.

 

[Anonymous]

To be honest I think the absence of the A400 has made a difference, although it would mean having 2 amps and another set of cinema speakers to accomodate it. Having said that the 340R is relatively new and may require a longer running in period.

Thanks for the advice thus far.

 

[Lost Angeles]

simontwilliams:

To be honest I think the absence of the A400 has made a difference, although it would mean having 2 amps and another set of cinema speakers to accomodate it. Having said that the 340R is relatively new and may require a longer running in period.

Thanks for the advice thus far.

If your A340R has front pre-outs then put your A400 back in your rack and try it. With front pre-outs you will not need a 2nd set of speakers and is only one extra item in your rack. Surely this is worth trying first as it will only cost you 1 interconnect if you have not got one.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Unfortunately I'm pretty sure that the 340R hasn't got this facility