CD upgrade

[admin_exported]

Current System

Cambridge Audio C500 Pre amp
Cambridge Audio P500 Power amp * 2
Quad 11L speakers (bi-wired)
Marantz CD-63se

The CD player is on it's last legs and I'm keen to upgrade to the next price level. Your reviews of the Cirus CD6se have certainly put that at the top of the review list. But I'm wondering if the rest of my system will allow a CD player of this calibre to shine through? Spending £800 on a CD player would mean I couldn't upgrade the other components for a couple of years.

 

[Dan Turner]

I'm trialing the cyrus cd8se (£1100) and arcam cd37 (£1000) at the moment. Both excellent, but at the moment I think I prefer the Arcam. I'm sure your system would more than do justice to something of this calibre.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice to see an Arcam positive quote on here. Can you please state why? Ever since my CD192 has decided it doesn't like quite a volume of CDs (not intrinsic to the player, obviously needs to return to dealer) but I'm tempted to try another CD player..........

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Graham_Thomas:Nice to see an Arcam positive quote on here.

Indeed! The way people talk about the new Cyrus CDPs, it's a wonder all other manufacturers haven't just given up with their own. I would love to see Cyrus succeed with it but I want the market to be broader than 6 or 8SE...

 

[the record spot]

Ditto that - the 6SE and its' bigger brother don't make others redundant by virtue of their very existence alone overnight. In the same way that there was more than just the Cambride 540C and 640C a couple of years back at the budget end.

 

[Anonymous]

igglebert:Graham_Thomas:Nice to see an Arcam positive quote on here.

Indeed! The way people talk about the new Cyrus CDPs, it's a wonder all other manufacturers haven't just given up with their own. I would love to see Cyrus succeed with it but I want the market to be broader than 6 or 8SE...

Totally agree, as we might 'bicker' about taste, manufacturer, tone, house sound etc. - we need need a range of products to argue about!! Market forces and choice and all that.

 

[Anonymous]

What's 'budget'? The new Yamaha SACD player that matches the AS1000 is phenominal. I don't think anyone's really had a listen yet but it's quite fantastic vfm. I reckon the Cyrus' are a bit overpriced. Although it could be that they're disproportionately expensive in Canada...

Either way I prefer the 840c CD21 and 2010s when one considers that they cost less.

 

[JoelSim]

Dan Turner:I'm trialing the cyrus cd8se (£1100) and arcam cd37 (£1000) at the moment.ÿ Both excellent, but at the moment I think I prefer the Arcam.ÿ I'm sure your system would more than do justice to something of this calibre.

Interesting that the 8se is a landmark product and the cd37 gets a mere 3 stars, and is cheaper. I imagine I would be with you as I really like the Arcam house sound.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Please try a Cambridge.

I think Richer's are good about sale or return home demo.

 

[JoelSim]

Not in the same league fella, like comparing a Mondeo RS with an Audi Quattro. One is classy and the other is good but just not got the same pedigree.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Which model do you refer to?

 

[JoelSim]

The Cyrus and Arcams vs the CA

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

I always been impressed with the 840.

 

[JoelSim]

The 840 has had some good reviews

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

The 840 is an impressive machine. I dunno if I prefer it... but I think it can be mentioned in the same breath. Just cause CA makes some of the cheaper kit out there doesn't disqualify their sports car.

 

[Anonymous]

It's definitely worth a listen considering Richer's money-back guarantee.

The CD192 is also very good but in a different way.

You would either enjoy one or the other.

 

[drummerman]

igglebert:Graham_Thomas:Nice to see an Arcam positive quote on here.

Indeed! The way people talk about the new Cyrus CDPs, it's a wonder all other manufacturers haven't just given up with their own. I would love to see Cyrus succeed with it but I want the market to be broader than 6 or 8SE...

It is mate, people here are just blinkered. The new cyrus'es are fine players but totally over hyped. Arcam's top players are good too, so are Denon's and especially CA which includes a few bells and whistles, never mind technology, cyrus can only dream of. All are good, all sound (very slightly) different. It's 16bit cd technology and there's only so much you can do with it!

 

[Anonymous]

That's why I advocate the Yamaha. It's a tiptop player and you get SACD. Always worth it to me.

 

[the record spot]

Well, it would be quite refreshing to people directed to a wider range of gear than just the usual suspects from time to time. Sometimes I do think it's Arcam - Cyrus - Cambridge - Primare....not that I'm necessarily knocking those manufacturers or the people who recommend them. It's because of the absence of other equally good stuff out there it's worth piping up about alternatives, IMO.

 

[drummerman]

raypalmer:That's why I advocate the Yamaha. It's a tiptop player and you get SACD. Always worth it to me.

Why not. They look good too but I had a little play with the knobs and slider frequency controls on the 2000 series (they work the same way but are rectangular rather than round) and found them to be loose and cheap feeling. Surely solid and smooth is not to much to ask for in a product costing over 1k. I'm sure they sound fine but they could learn a thing or two from say marantz and they are not the only ones by any means.

 

[Anonymous]

I knew it would come down to knobs eventually... the Cyrus' don't even have ANY knobs!!

Phillistines.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree, I recently auditioned, Cyrus 8vs2, Roksan Kandy K2, Arcam FMJ A38, and the Yamaha A-S1000. I believe the yamaha to be the best all rounder. Mixing a great sense of scale in music, deep bass and detailed mids and highs. Not to mention it looks fantastic, juxtaposing new electronics with retro styling, I love their slant. Coupled with the matching SACD you have a pretty damn good midrange system.

I liked the Cyrus 8vs2 and CD8 se combo, i just could not buy them for the aesthetics. The Cyrus is always going to be the top of the list for the price range, very competant little system, with bags of energy and revealing detail...but...I know you will all think I am crazy. I felt I just had to go with the Yamaha, with a greater sense of scale in music, and gorgeous aesthetics I just thought it deserved my dollar as it just looks fantastic...soon will be buying the matching CD player, could not be happier

 

[margetti]

If you're comfortable going slightly off the beaten track, I would thoroughly recommend giving Sonneteer an audition - superb British product. They have two models - the Bronte just under £800, and the Byron which nudges the £1000 mark.

ÿMy 2 pence worth...

 

[Anonymous]

margetti:
If you're comfortable going slightly off the beaten track, I would thoroughly recommend giving Sonneteer an audition - superb British product. They have two models - the Bronte just under £800, and the Byron which nudges the £1000 mark.

ÿMy 2 pence worth...

£1800.02p worth actually!

 

[margetti]

Graham_Thomas:margetti:

If you're comfortable going slightly off the beaten track, I would thoroughly recommend giving Sonneteer an audition - superb British product. They have two models - the Bronte just under £800, and the Byron which nudges the £1000 mark.

My 2 pence worth...

£1800.02p worth actually!

If you buy both CD players, then I guess so!