Upgrade Cambridge Azur 540p to Rega MM mkII?

[Peter Larsen]

Hi,

I am actually pretty satisfied with my old Cambridge Audio Azur 540p, but am wondering how much of an improvement in sound a Rega MM mkII will get me. Anyone tried both and care to comment on their differences. Will it give me a wider stereo perspective, deeper bootom, sweeter top? What can I expect?

Thanks.

Peter.

 

[Al ears]

The move to the Rega phono is going to be very much a sideways one.

Your best bet is keep the Cambridge 540p and upgrade your cartridge.

 

[stevebrock]

The move to the Rega phono is going to be very much a sideways one.

Your best bet is keep the Cambridge 540p and upgrade your cartridge.

+1

How about doubling the budget and look at the Trichord Dino Mk2 - it will take MC carts too, just something that could come in handy long term

 

[Peter Larsen]

Why upgarde the cartridge? Just bought it

What do you mean by sideways move?

 

[stevebrock]

We mean the Cambridge & Rega Fono are similar in performance - best save more money and get something better

 

[Al ears]

Precisely, keep what you have got until funds allow a better phono preamp (as suggested) or wait for cartridge to wear out and get a better cartridge.

The best way to get your 'deeper bootom' etc will be to change the cartridge, in my 'umble opinion.

 

[Peter Larsen]

Now I get it, you haven't read my initial post correctly. I'm talking about upgrading to Rega MM, not the cheaper Rega Fono Mini

There is plenty of bottom in the 2M Bronze by the way.

 

[Al ears]

Presume you mean the Rega Fono MM at about £200?

If so I still think you would be better spending it on a cartridge upgrade.

You did ask 'Will it give me a wider stereo perspective, deeper bootom, sweeter top?'

If Ortofon has plenty of bottom do you need more?

Personally I am not impressed with Rega phono stages.

You could do better (Graham Slee, second hand Trichord Dino or Tom Evans Microgroove)

 

[Peter Larsen]

The "Will it give me a wider stereo perspective, deeper bootom, sweeter top? What can I expect?" was not an indication of what I need/lack, but more like examples of what could be the difference.

I will not buy a new cartridge. The Bronze is excellent and brand new.

I'm more interested in which riaa will improve my already fine sounding setup without breaking the bank. The Rega MM is nearly 4x the price of my 540p, so I was expecting it to be even better, but maybe I am wrong.

 

[GeoffreyW]

Sorry for my last reply, which seems to have got lost, regarding the Arkless mods for your amp, I misread your post, I mistook the 540 for 640. Apologies. Might be worth getting in touch, though.

 

[Peter Larsen]

So, could anyone tell me what to expect to be bettered soundwise if upgrading from a Cambridge Azur 540P (40 pounds) to a Rega Fono MM MKII (200 pounds)?

I'm not interested in another cartridge or mods of the existing preamp

Thanks.

 

[stevebrock]

So, could anyone tell me what to expect to be bettered soundwise if upgrading from a Cambridge Azur 540P (40 pounds) to a Rega Fono MM MKII (200 pounds)?

I'm not interested in another cartridge or mods of the existing preamp

Thanks.

We have given out opinion - we say get a better phono.

Why not just order the Rega MM mail order, try it and if it does not offer improvement then send it back under DSR

 

[Peter Larsen]

So, could anyone tell me what to expect to be bettered soundwise if upgrading from a Cambridge Azur 540P (40 pounds) to a Rega Fono MM MKII (200 pounds)?

I'm not interested in another cartridge or mods of the existing preamp

Thanks.

We have given out opinion - we say get a better phono.

Why not just order the Rega MM mail order, try it and if it does not offer improvement then send it back under DSR

So what you are saying is that Rega's 200 pound riaa is no better than the 40 pound Azur 540P?

 

[Al ears]

:wave:

So, could anyone tell me what to expect to be bettered soundwise if upgrading from a Cambridge Azur 540P (40 pounds) to a Rega Fono MM MKII (200 pounds)?

I'm not interested in another cartridge or mods of the existing preamp

Thanks.

We have given out opinion - we say get a better phono.

Why not just order the Rega MM mail order, try it and if it does not offer improvement then send it back under DSR

So what you are saying is that Rega's 200 pound riaa is no better than the 40 pound Azur 540P?

He's not taking the hint stevebrock. I'm out of here :wave:

 

[Peter Larsen]

A hint? So you are saying the Rega Fono MM (5 star review) is crap is that it?

So far no one has commented what I initially asked. What will I gain by upgrading from my 8 year old Azur 540P to a brand new 4x the Azurs price Rega Fono MM.

My brand new 2M Bronze cost me 250 pounds so off course I will not go out and buy a new one. I didn't ask for cartridge advice.

: :wave:

 

[stevebrock]

ok for £200 the Rega MM is a great little phono stage - i didnt realise the Cambridge was only £40

I would hazard a guess that the Rega will be an improvement - how much I don't know

Can you demo one?

 

[Peter Larsen]

Maybe my local dealer can help me. I will try. Guess my ears will be the best judge

 

[respe]

Your ears are always the best judge. For what its worth thd rega mm phono is good enough to let your bronze strut its stuff. Equally I would have a really good look around the used market before you leep. There are some stunning phono stages around used at the sort of money. Audio inovations P1 pop up at 150 Ish. Have a good look round and let your ears choose.

 

[Peter Larsen]

Great. Thanks. Will do that.

 

[lesovers]

Hi Peter, have just purchased the Rega Fono Mk2 after using a number of other phono preamps over the last 10 years including the NAD PP2 (good start), Azur 640p (only tryed 2 days), Graham Slee models (excellent) and my home made model (excellent plus!) which I have been using for the last 3 years. I would not recommend the purchase of this model and use in stock condition, I think it is overall better than the Azur 640p however not as good as the Graham Slee higher end models and other higher end phono preamps. After purchasing the Rega Apollo-R and hearing how good the output stage sounds in this CD player I took a chance in purchasing the Rega Fono MK2. My intention was to modify the design to exceed my home made model. The Rega Fono MK2 is basically a great phono stage except for a couple of minor design issues and the selection and quality of the components. Rega Fono MK2 original parts and new parts; First stage discrete surface mount circuit 1uF polyester input capactors -> 1uF EPCOS B32529C105J blue polyester film cap (these may already be installed) 100pF 63v loading caps -> 220pF 630V Evox PFR5221J630J film-and-foil caps (630v is much better than the 63V Evox caps) 10uF electrolytic ground reference bypass cap -> 22uF 50V Nichicon FG All 0.47uF polyester caps -> 0.47uF EPCOS B32529C474K blue polyester film cap (these may already be installed) Second stage op-amp circuit 0.47uF polyester input capactors -> 1uF EPCOS B32529C105J blue polyester film cap 10uF electrolytic and feedback bypass -> 22uF 50V Nichicon FG 10uF electrolytic output caps -> 22uF 50V Nichicon FG 100pF 63v RF output filter caps -> 220pF 630V Evox PFR5221J630J film-and-foil caps (630v is much better than the 63V Evox caps) 10uF electrolytic ground reference bypass cap -> 22uF 50V Nichicon FG NE5532 SM dual op-amp -> AD8620BRZ SM dual op-amp All 0.47uF polyester caps -> 0.47uF EPCOS B32529C474K blue polyester film (these may already be installed) All 33nF polypropylene caps -> 33nF WIMA FKP2C023301L00HSSD AC and pulse film caps (these may already be installed) Power Supply All ceramic SM power filter caps -> 10nF NPO COG ceramic SM caps All 0.1uF polyester caps -> 0.1uF EPCOS B32529C104K blue polyester film caps (these may already be installed) OK how does it sound, the Rega Fono Mk2 now has the high quality, musicality, smoothness and intricate detail of the Graham Slee phono high end preamps. It also has a huge and wide-open sound stage, great dynamics and punchy and powerful low end bass. All my records, as in my own phono preamp design, now sound great on the Rega Fono Mk2. It brings out the best in all of my LPs.

 

[nopiano]

Interesting first post here - welcome! We don't get too many folks modifying gear here, particularly the likes of Rega.