CD Player

[matthewpiano]

I've decided that I need to aim for a new CD player to match up on a more level playing field with my Arcam amp. The obvious choice would be an Arcam CD17, but I'm wondering whether I can achieve a similar result by spending less. I am currently considering the following: Used Arcam CD73T - I've had one of these before and know it is brilliant at soundstaging and instrumental timbre. Is it still competitive today? PP - have you compared yours to any new players during your auditioning? New Cambridge Audio 650C - Outside the UK, this machine is quite a bit more expensive (thanks to the Richers distribution over here) so this could be a bargain buy. I've seen it described as being musical, detailed and involving. Would this fall short of the CD73T or would it make a better buy considering it would be brand new? Audiolab 8000CDE - These are going very cheap now. Has anybody heard one? Is it any good? Myryad Z112 - Again, some great deals going on this, which was a £500 CD player less than 2 years ago. Any experience with this?

 

[Anonymous]

Netaudio could clock your current Rotel. Could be a hugely fun upgrade if you like the general sound of it now.

Is a DAC an option? I'm thinking a Beresford Caiman or MF VDAC. The Rotel has an electrical digital out so this could be a great option.

 

[ESP2009]

Maybe a silly question, but have you tried the Marantz CD63 KI Sig with it? I seem to vaguely recall you rate the CDP, but have you ever matched it with the Arcam?

As you know, the KI Sig remains close to my heart.

 

[matthewpiano]

igglebert:Netaudio could clock your current Rotel. Could be a hugely fun upgrade if you like the general sound of it now.

Is a DAC an option? I'm thinking a Beresford Caiman or MF VDAC. The Rotel has an electrical digital out so this could be a great option.

The DAC option is one I've thought about (and still am really). I have two concerns though:

1. Would a DAC of Caiman quality be able to compete with players like the Arcam CD73T?
2. My Rotel transport is working fine at present but it is a very old CD player, albeit with a very good CDM4 mechanism. Should I be worried about it?

I simply feel that there is even more depth to be had from my system and that it is the Rotel holding it back.

 

[matthewpiano]

ESP2009:
Maybe a silly question, but have you tried the Marantz CD63 KI Sig with it? I seem to vaguely recall you rate the CDP, but have you ever matched it with the Arcam?

As you know, the KI Sig remains close to my heart.

I've only got a CD63SE at present. I have tried it but found the bass too poorly controlled in the context of this system. Good thought though. Thanks ESP2009!

 

[ESP2009]

Roughly where are you located? Not sure if it is viable, but I do have a couple of KI Sigs doing nothing in particular. If it is a practicable proposition, you could try one.

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:igglebert:Netaudio could clock your current Rotel. Could be a hugely fun upgrade if you like the general sound of it now.

Is a DAC an option? I'm thinking a Beresford Caiman or MF VDAC. The Rotel has an electrical digital out so this could be a great option.

The DAC option is one I've thought about (and still am really). I have two concerns though:

1. Would a DAC of Caiman quality be able to compete with players like the Arcam CD73T?
2. My Rotel transport is working fine at present but it is a very old CD player, albeit with a very good CDM4 mechanism. Should I be worried about it?

I simply feel that there is even more depth to be had from my system and that it is the Rotel holding it back.

1. From everything I hear about the Caiman it ought to be better than the CD73T. Apparently* it's up their with the CA Dacmagic* (nearly).

(* don't tell Grottyash but I haven't heard the Caiman nor Dacmagic)

2. Fair point. So if you sold it now, what would it raise? Is it worth selling for this value? At least with the DAC option you can continue to use the Rotel until death whilst enjoying other inputs too.

Is it worth the change at all? Maybe not if you like what the Rotel does. In my experience this will come down to how revealing your system is. As I said with the DAC option, at least you gain in functionality if the sound doesn't deliver much improvement.

For the cost of a MF VDAC you can't really go wrong.

 

[stephennic]

matthewpiano:I've decided that I need to aim for a new CD player to match up on a more level playing field with my Arcam amp. The obvious choice would be an Arcam CD17, but I'm wondering whether I can achieve a similar result by spending less. I am currently considering the following: Used Arcam CD73T - I've had one of these before and know it is brilliant at soundstaging and instrumental timbre. Is it still competitive today? PP - have you compared yours to any new players during your auditioning? New Cambridge Audio 650C - Outside the UK, this machine is quite a bit more expensive (thanks to the Richers distribution over here) so this could be a bargain buy. I've seen it described as being musical, detailed and involving. Would this fall short of the CD73T or would it make a better buy considering it would be brand new? Audiolab 8000CDE - These are going very cheap now. Has anybody heard one? Is it any good? Myryad Z112 - Again, some great deals going on this, which was a £500 CD player less than 2 years ago. Any experience with this?

Hi,

I have a marantz cd63se too. I compared it to the arcam cd73t, the arcam I found drier and more clinical and not as musical as the old marantz especially in the mids. The arcam bass was fuller, but the marantz had a more punchy bass and a more sparkly top end. The arcam was slightly cleaner and more refined sounding but the marantz seem to be a better alrounder ( rock jazz classical etc) the arcam was good for classical and jazz but I found it lacked punch and sparkle for rock.

Overall I found the marantz a more enjoyable listen. Its only when I compared it to the rega apollo and consonance cd 120 linear did I find a improvement overall. I bought the consonance cd-120 linear - it has that nice natural sounding musical midband that I like. I still kept the old marantz which I still enjoy.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Big Chris]

Track down a CD192.

 

[stephennic]

Hi,

I forgot to add I had a cambridge audio 640c for about 6-9 months which is fairly similar to the 650c. I found the marantz cd63se again more musical than the cambridge, I found the cambridge very detailed but lean and even more clinical than the arcam cd73t. The cambridge did rock better, but the arcam was better with jazz, vocal etc. it was more natural. I found on the wrong material (jazz, classical) the cambridge was fatigueing to listen too after about half an hour, mids and voices were too forward, top end was a little sharp. Maybe it just wasnt a good match for my system.

The creek evo was pretty good better than the arcam. I listened to a marantz cd7001, prefered the old marantz cd63se ( had a deeper soundstage and warmer mids). I also have heard the audiolab in a shop it was quite good too - detailed maybe a little bright in the mids.

If I was to buy a new cd player I would choose out of all Ive listened to under 700 pounds - Naim 5i, rega apollo, consonance d-120 linear. I have also read the new harmon and Kardon 990, Rotel 1520, the new audiolab , Roksan are good cd players too. Just my 20c worth.

Cheers

Steve.

 

[plastic penguin]

matthewpiano:I've decided that I need to aim for a new CD player to match up on a more level playing field with my Arcam amp. The obvious choice would be an Arcam CD17, but I'm wondering whether I can achieve a similar result by spending less. I am currently considering the following: Used Arcam CD73T - I've had one of these before and know it is brilliant at soundstaging and instrumental timbre. Is it still competitive today? PP - have you compared yours to any new players during your auditioning? New Cambridge Audio 650C - Outside the UK, this machine is quite a bit more expensive (thanks to the Richers distribution over here) so this could be a bargain buy. I've seen it described as being musical, detailed and involving. Would this fall short of the CD73T or would it make a better buy considering it would be brand new? Audiolab 8000CDE - These are going very cheap now. Has anybody heard one? Is it any good? Myryad Z112 - Again, some great deals going on this, which was a £500 CD player less than 2 years ago. Any experience with this?

CDPs is one area I haven't really heard that much. The only one I've heard at home and was immensely impressed with (and would suit your Arcam perfectly) is the Exposure 2010S.

When my Rotel went pair shaped WHFI was banging on about the abilities of the Exposure. Because, at that time, there were very few Exposure outlets, I phone the Company direct and asked for suggestions. They said I could buy direct, given my strange circumstances, and two days later the area rep dropped one off. It was fantastic. It trounced the Rotel, but declined to buy it as they wouldn't offer a discount. They asked the going price of £600, but at Bartlett's hi-fi they selling new models 2010S for £499. That's how I ended up with 73T.

Sorry, went off track there... for that sort of money it's the best CDP I've heard.

 

[the record spot]

matthewpiano:I've decided that I need to aim for a new CD player to match up on a more level playing field with my Arcam amp. The obvious choice would be an Arcam CD17, but I'm wondering whether I can achieve a similar result by spending less.

I am currently considering the following:

Used Arcam CD73T - I've had one of these before and know it is brilliant at soundstaging and instrumental timbre. Is it still competitive today? PP - have you compared yours to any new players during your auditioning?

New Cambridge Audio 650C - Outside the UK, this machine is quite a bit more expensive (thanks to the Richers distribution over here) so this could be a bargain buy. I've seen it described as being musical, detailed and involving. Would this fall short of the CD73T or would it make a better buy considering it would be brand new?

Audiolab 8000CDE - These are going very cheap now. Has anybody heard one? Is it any good?

Myryad Z112 - Again, some great deals going on this, which was a £500 CD player less than 2 years ago. Any experience with this?

A conundrum Matthew. If I was shopping around right now, I'd probably look at where digital is going so I might shortlist the new Audiolab 8200 at £700. Yes, it's over your budget, but, if you end up discounting your CD63-MKII and Rotel RCD-965BX, then those two could be sold on to help fund the new player.

I only mention it as the DAC functionality appears good and the rear panel may have an element of future-proofing to some degree. Might be worth looking at.

I'd add the Harman HD990 to the list, I found this a surprising player at £500 earlier this year, but it's often available for less (I've seen it for £249 in the past), while it also has balanced inputs. Doesn't have the features on the 8200, but it's more in line with your budget. Big rich sound, not sharp, but that was in a dem room with unfamiliar speakers and amps.

Aside from the Audiolab 8000CDE, the the 8000CD which has come down too. Again, deals to be had and it might be it ticks a few of the boxes for you.

I'd suggest Marantz, but think the 7001-KI is i) limited in availability and ii) possibly not quite to your tastes but it depends on how the partnering gear makes it sound. With the wrong balance, it sounds lean. Get it right and it's faultless IMO.

Alan Sircom waxed lyrical over the Cambridge 650 partnership, the rest of the gear in the HiFI+ magazine costs about £10million for interconnects upwards. It must, at least, be worth shortlisting. Trying out however might be tricky.

 

[plastic penguin]

Just seen this.

http://www.bartlettshifi.com/product_detail.asp?sku=1441

Over your budget, but a cracking player.

 

[Blackdawn]

Arcam rDac