Which Cd player to demo with Arcam A39?

[finlays]

Hi

I have been upgrading my hifi one piece at a time. I currently have an Arcam A39 amp, Kef R100 speakers and Marantz 6003cd player. I would like to upgrade the CD player next, and was hoping to get some advice as to a shortlist to demo. My budget is a maximum of 1300 and while I don't mind if the player has extra features like a dac or streamer, it's a quality cd player I'm after first and foremost.

What would people recommend to match my existing kit?

Many Thanks. Steve

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

save your self some cash and buy that primare d30.2 on ebay for £400,it's a steel at that money.

 

[BigH]

save your self some cash and buy that primare d30.2 on ebay for £400,it's a steel at that money.

Is the transport reliable, is that not the Philips that caused a lot of problems, I see Primare replaced it in the Mark 2.

 

[BigH]

For new players I would be looking at Arcam because you have Arcam amp. Marantz 8005 because they are good and have been reduced in price to under £600. Abrahamsen if you can demo one, is around £600. You could try Naim.

 

[finlays]

Thanks. I will consider both of those.

 

[Al ears]

save your self some cash and buy that primare d30.2 on ebay for £400,it's a steel at that money.

Is the transport reliable, is that not the Philips that caused a lot of problems, I see Primare replaced it in the Mark 2.

No, it's a Sony transport as far as I can aware.

 

[BigH]

save your self some cash and buy that primare d30.2 on ebay for £400,it's a steel at that money.

Is the transport reliable, is that not the Philips that caused a lot of problems, I see Primare replaced it in the Mark 2.

No, it's a Sony transport as far as I can aware.

i don't think so, the Mark 2 of 30.2 maybe.

See: http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/

 

[Al ears]

save your self some cash and buy that primare d30.2 on ebay for £400,it's a steel at that money.

Is the transport reliable, is that not the Philips that caused a lot of problems, I see Primare replaced it in the Mark 2.

No, it's a Sony transport as far as I can aware.

i don't think so, the Mark 2 of 30.2 maybe.

See: http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/

In that case the only mention I can find must be referring to the Mark 2

 

[BigH]

I dont know the history of Primare cdps, but it seems odd that the mark 2 has a different transport if there were no problems with it, I believe this is the same transport Cyrus had problems with and when people complained they said it was not their fault. Even the WHF review said they had trouble loading disks but they still gave it 5 stars. There was an interesting saga from some owners under the owners feedback under the review unfortunately it has all disappeared from here.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi

I have been upgrading my hifi one piece at a time. I currently have an Arcam A39 amp, Kef R100 speakers and Marantz 6003cd player. I would like to upgrade the CD player next, and was hoping to get some advice as to a shortlist to demo. My budget is a maximum of 1300 and while I don't mind if the player has extra features like a dac or streamer, it's a quality cd player I'm after first and foremost.

What would people recommend to match my existing kit?

Many Thanks. Steve

Personally I'd be looking at better speakers. Arcams usually flourish with top notch speakers, as long as they aren't too difficult to drive: Focal, MA Gold, PMC... then you can add a Dac and use the the Marantz as transport.

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. I agree that you should look at upgrading speakers first. Look at Focal Aria 906, ATC SCM11 (if the A39 has enough juice for those).

As for CDP, check out Arcam's own CDS27 (which is also a streamer), Audiolab stuff, and Naim CD5si.

 

[finlays]

Interesting, I had not thought of that, as the R100 were an improvement to my old budget amp/speakers. So i will think about that idea. Thanks

 

[plastic penguin]

Or if you want to stick with Kef then the LS50s should be cracking match for your Arcam. £800 for the speakers and £500 left for a Rega Dac. Nice.

 

[p_m_brown]

+1 for Naim and Audiolab CD players.

Another idea for speakers are the Audio Physics Classic 10s which blew my old R100s away on the end of an A38. They are floorstanders but don't need much breathing space and don't take up any more floorspace than standmounts on stands.

 

[Al ears]

+1 for Naim and Audiolab CD players.

Another idea for speakers are the Audio Physics Classic 10s which blew my old R100s away on the end of an A38. They are floorstanders but don't need much breathing space and don't take up any more floorspace than standmounts on stands.

+1 for those speakers. Unfortunately it is very difficult to audition them in the UK.

 

[plastic penguin]

+1 for Naim and Audiolab CD players.

Another idea for speakers are the Audio Physics Classic 10s which blew my old R100s away on the end of an A38. They are floorstanders but don't need much breathing space and don't take up any more floorspace than standmounts on stands.

And over budget. Their entry-level model, unless I've missed the obvious, are nearly £1400... the OP originally mentioned about upgrading the CDP.

 

[finlays]

Thank you everyone, and the suggestion of new speakers is not something I had thought of, but will certainly consider. Turning the question around a bit. Are there any other A39 owners out there? What have you found sounds good to you? Any obvious systems matches that you recommend or suggest avoiding?

 

[rainsoothe]

Thank you everyone, and the suggestion of new speakers is not something I had thought of, but will certainly consider. Turning the question around a bit. Are there any other A39 owners out there? What have you found sounds good to you? Any obvious systems matches that you recommend or suggest avoiding?

I used to own the A19, and it matched the Focals perfectly. Also, monitor audio seem to go well with Arcam. Again, upgrading speakers with that budget would be my first option. The R100 are ok I guess, but when I auditioned the R300 they sounded pretty dull to me, and the A39 needs more revealing speakers. Maybe also give ATC SCM11 or Triangle a go.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Thank you everyone, and the suggestion of new speakers is not something I had thought of, but will certainly consider. Turning the question around a bit. Are there any other A39 owners out there? What have you found sounds good to you? Any obvious systems matches that you recommend or suggest avoiding?

I used to own the A19, and it matched the Focals perfectly. Also, monitor audio seem to go well with Arcam. Again, upgrading speakers with that budget would be my first option. The R100 are ok I guess, but when I auditioned the R300 they sounded pretty dull to me, and the A39 needs more revealing speakers. Maybe also give ATC SCM11 or Triangle a go.

Most of heard since hearing atc sound dull to me or as if somethings missing

 

[plastic penguin]

Thank you everyone, and the suggestion of new speakers is not something I had thought of, but will certainly consider. Turning the question around a bit. Are there any other A39 owners out there? What have you found sounds good to you? Any obvious systems matches that you recommend or suggest avoiding?

I used to own the A19, and it matched the Focals perfectly. Also, monitor audio seem to go well with Arcam. Again, upgrading speakers with that budget would be my first option. The R100 are ok I guess, but when I auditioned the R300 they sounded pretty dull to me, and the A39 needs more revealing speakers. Maybe also give ATC SCM11 or Triangle a go.

Most of heard since hearing atc sound dull to me or as if somethings missing

Don't doubt that for one moment. Arcam and ATC, though, I wouldn't think it's a match made in heaven. I love Arcam stuff but they can be a little 'lazy' when it comes to challenging speakers.

As you know this hobby is purely about synergy, and IMHO, there would be better matches such as Focal, MA Gold, PMC... ATC and midrange Dynaudio with Arcam I would be cautious. Certainly a dem will be essential.

If I had a A39 or one of the older flagship models I would look at Totem Arros, but that's assuming I don't need to blow the walls down.

 

[finlays]

I've booked in to hear naim cd5si, Audiolab 8300 and Arcam cds27 AND a range of speakers including the focals 906 at my local audiot. I Will update the forum as to how I get on it about a week.