New CD Player

[admin_exported]

My 16 year old Rotel RCD 95bx cd player has just died and is obviously not worth repairing for £100.

My dilemma is what to replace it with. My budget is £400 and am considering Marantz 6002, Cambridge Audio Azure 640, Arcam Diva or Audiolab 8000. I would appreciate any thoughts from the experts out there.

Also I put my old one through a Mission stand alone Dac. Would anyone still use this with a new player or do I get rid of it?

Thanks for your help and I look forward to your thoughts.

pete

 

[John Duncan]

Well all of those are contenders, certainly, but which one sounds better would be up to you. The difficulty you have is that you'll most likely be unable to audition a Cambridge without buying it, though I hear tell of a generous returns policy at RC which you may be able to take advantage of. My experience of the Cambridge and Arcam (though cannot speak for the new Marantz or the Audiolab) would suggest Cambridge, no question, but you may be looking for a different sound from me.

Consider also this special at Superfi, which would be my preference

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/brands.category.cfm/id/14/category/107

a link here (though a creek fanboy site) specifically compares it to Rotels and Cambridges:

http://www.eposandcreek.com/showthread.php?t=76

As for the DAC, only you could tell whether it would be better, depends how old it is and whether the players you mention have moved beyond its capabilities. I'll buy it off you if it's no better

 

[nads]

Do you have a DVD player in the same room? does it have a digi out? conect it up to the DAC you may be suprised.

 

[JoelSim]

My experience would vote for the Arcam, just to confuse you.

 

[Thaiman]

and I would vote for marantz

 

[John Duncan]

thus proving my "your mileage may vary" point

 

[Anonymous]

Creek Evo for £395, if Superfi are still doing them for that price?

 

[rich51080]

x2 Creek evolution or Exposure 2010s

Audiolab is a good bet also, mainly if your collection is acoustical or classical.

 

[Anonymous]

Go for the arcam, you can get it upgraded to the 192 model which will do quite nicely, the other players mentioned are exellent just not upgradeable.