Looking for advice about Cambridge Audio 650BD

[admin_exported]

Hi guys this is the first time I've posted here.

Used to read WHifi frequently a few years back and I've just got back into things as my DVD player died recently.

I currently have a Marantz sr4200 av receiver, it does not have hdmi or a 6 channel input. It was bought in about 2002. I also have a Marantz DV4100 which as I mentioned is refusing to play DVD's - it still plays CD's though which seems strange.

So at the moment I'm looking to replace the DVD player. When this amp/dvd was reviewed by WHifi back in 2002 it was a 5 star award winner I think especially because of its stereo performance.

I was looking at the LG BD390 but after I spoke with the guys at Richer sounds they told me it was pants at playing Cds and given I currently use the Marantz as a CD player this is a problem (I expect it to completely die soon).

They recommended the Cambridge Audio 650BD as a do it all player. The trouble is though I can only run DD5.1 or RCA stereo. Is it worth me getting the player, upgrading the amp might be possible but probably not for anopther 12 months. I do quite like the idea of SACD but to be honest I don't see me ruching out to change my DVD collcetion to BluRay.

I've read the review in April's issue, it hints that stereo performance is acceptable as is picture quality yet give it 5 stars, I would have thought 5 stars was exceptional not acceptable.

Does anyone have any thoughts about what to do, I can afford the player at £400 but not much more.

I could by the LG BD390 and something like Harman Kardon HD980 for about £380 for the pair. How would the CA 650BD compare against these 2 units.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[kinda]

Hello,

I faced a similar problem when my DV4100 OSE failed, (sounds like same problem as yours). Also similar to you I wasn't in any rush to go BluRay.

To me BluRay players are improving all the time, and in a few months the 650BD may be half price, or something better with better features, maybe even 3D, available cheaper. If you don't actually want BluRay now I'd wait.

DVD technology is very well matured and I went for an XDE 500 which is better than my old Marantz, if the colours maybe aren't quite as lush, and that's on my existing TV, so without any of the upscaling turned on. The film sound I don't notice any difference either, with maybe better bass.

It's not bad with CDs either, with my AV amp doing D/A conversion, but I got a Sonos, which is great, and will look for a BluRay player in due course.

I reckon you could get one of the Toshiba £30 DVD players, and wouldn't miss the old Marantz for films. You could then get a CD player, or other dedicated music source, which is likely to be better than any BluRay player, and then get a better deal on a BluRay player in the future when you need one, focusing just on film image and sound performance.

 

[Anonymous]

I was also eyeing up the CA 650BD. There are a few Blu-Ray players around it's £400 mark so deciding is difficult. As well as that one I was also considering the Denon 2500BT and perhaps the Pioneer BDP-51. I loved my old CA 540R V2 receiver so I'm craving to buy another CA product! Can their player compete with the likes of the Denon and Pioneer mentioned though? It would be interesting to hear from anyone that has seen the CA in action.