OzMillsy Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Is anyone using (or have tried) the Cambridge Audio Azur 740C cd player? How do you find it? I like how the 740C/840C can be used as an upscaling DAC (24/384), and am particularly interested to know how they stack up when used as a DAC? The 740C comes at an attractive price point, I've seen it around for $1349 . Has anyone wangled a better price than this?
Quark Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 (edited) Is anyone using (or have tried) the Cambridge Audio Azur 740C cd player? How do you find it?I like how the 740C/840C can be used as an upscaling DAC (24/384), and am particularly interested to know how they stack up when used as a DAC? The 740C comes at an attractive price point, I've seen it around for $1349 . Has anyone wangled a better price than this? Haven't heard the 740C - another happy 640C owner here. I picked mine up via Eastwood Hifi's scratched and dented sale at the right price (not a mark on it and the screws looked like it was unopened, so not a refurb). They have a 740C for $990. www.eastwoodhifi.com.au/SPECIALS.HTM Edited June 4, 2008 by Quark
50mxe20 Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Haven't heard the 740C - another happy 640C owner here. I picked mine up via Eastwood Hifi's scratched and dented sale at the right price (not a mark on it and the screws looked like it was unopened, so not a refurb). They have a 740C for $990. www.eastwoodhifi.com.au/SPECIALS.HTM http://www.eastwoodhifi.com.au/SPECIALS.HTM
betty boop Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 not sure on the 740, but heard the 840c at whatmough where it seems to do a pretty good job. not sure what its like as jsut dac. another option milsy is the quad QUAD 99 Cd-P2 CD Player with built in Pre which I see caxton has on special http://www.caxtonaudio.com.au/specialoffers.html http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/model.php?secto...&model_id=6 its for using with the quad active range or directly with their power amplifiers.
50mxe20 Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 not sure on the 740, but heard the 840c at whatmough where it seems to do a pretty good job. not sure what its like as jsut dac.another option milsy is the quad QUAD 99 Cd-P2 CD Player with built in Pre which I see caxton has on special http://www.caxtonaudio.com.au/specialoffers.html http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/model.php?secto...&model_id=6 its for using with the quad active range or directly with their power amplifiers. Been reading some reviews on the 740. They don't fill one with excitement. Or at least that is the impression I'm getting. Harsh is a word I've read a few times.Bangs for buck the 640 gets a lot more raves and then of course the 840 gets a good review.
Hydrology Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Funny, despite liking both the 840A and C, I seem to prefer the warmth that both the 740A and C offer. I use a 740A currently with a 540C, but will upgrade to the 740C sometime this year.
50mxe20 Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Funny, despite liking both the 840A and C, I seem to prefer the warmth that both the 740A and C offer. I use a 740A currently with a 540C, but will upgrade to the 740C sometime this year.That is good to hear.Maybe I just stumbled across a couple of reviews by people that had some hidden agenda.
Hydrology Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 That is good to hear.Maybe I just stumbled across a couple of review by peopl ethat had some hidden agenda. There was an excellent review in a recent HiFi Chioce that duplicated my sentiments on this player.
Quark Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 http://www.eastwoodhifi.com.au/SPECIALS.HTM Lyle, thanks for fixing that link
OzMillsy Posted June 4, 2008 Author Posted June 4, 2008 Been doing some reading on both the 740 and 840 overnight. 840 seems to get a big thumbs up for clarity and detail, with midrange/bottom smoothing out after 200 hours of burn in.
OzMillsy Posted June 4, 2008 Author Posted June 4, 2008 another option milsy is the quad QUAD 99 Cd-P2 CD Player with built in Pre which I see caxton has on special Cheers, not being able to demo it is a deal breaker though. The quad site makes no mention of buffering/re-clocking mechanisms, which I consider essential when using it as a DAC.
betty boop Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 Cheers, not being able to demo it is a deal breaker though. The quad site makes no mention of buffering/re-clocking mechanisms, which I consider essential when using it as a DAC. you could ring Caxton to find if you can demo ? caxton is in Melbourne Victoria38a Johnston St Fitzroy VIC 3065 Phone: +61 3 9495 6500 Fax: +61 3 9495 6655 personally I wouldnt make mention of buffering/re-clocking mechanisms a basis of choice for any of these units. there are some lovely dacs out there which either mention or dont mention buffering/reclocking mechanisms. and espcially since you'll probably find every dac since the dawn of time has its own internal clock and has a mechanism to reclock the incomming signal !
50mxe20 Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 There was an excellent review in a recent HiFi Chioce that duplicated my sentiments on this player.Got a link? Lyle, thanks for fixing that link No worries.
OzMillsy Posted June 4, 2008 Author Posted June 4, 2008 I'm in Syd. I prefer to deal face to face with locals, support my local dealers if I can, and build relationships. there are some lovely dacs out there which either mention or dont mention buffering/reclocking mechanisms. and espcially since you'll probably find every dac since the dawn of time has its own internal clock and has a mechanism to reclock the incomming signal ! Yes, but I like to *know* their design principles. I wouldnt rule anything out, on this basis alone. Ultimately how it sounds, is the deciding factor. Interestingly, I've been reading reports that redbook cd's sound superior on the 840C, to digitally passing in hi-res FLAC sources from pc's into the 840C. In both cases, upsampling to 24/384 and analog out into the same equipment.
betty boop Posted June 4, 2008 Posted June 4, 2008 I'm in Syd. I prefer to deal face to face with locals, support my local dealers if I can, and build relationships. Yes, but I like to *know* their design principles. I wouldnt rule anything out, on this basis alone. Ultimately how it sounds, is the deciding factor. Interestingly, I've been reading reports that redbook cd's sound superior on the 840C, to digitally passing in hi-res FLAC sources from pc's into the 840C. In both cases, upsampling to 24/384 and analog out into the same equipment. funny I thought you were in melb for some reason given your SGR purchase no harm supporting locals, however have foudn interstate dealers pretty help full too. have demoed stuff from sydney myself and bought stuff from interstate before and overseas as well. not found state or country borders a limitation myself ! but understand that others will have their own ideals and preferences. how it sounds should be the ultimate decider, theres no point what mechanisms any makers employ if its not to your liking or requirements. interesting re cd being superior to flac. somethign youd want to confirm in your own system to decide
OzMillsy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Posted June 5, 2008 interesting re cd being superior to flac. somethign youd want to confirm in your own system to decide Absolutely, I like to do my research though. funny I thought you were in melb for some reason given your SGR purchase Remember the cannonball run comment. I drove from syd to mel, and back again, in a 3 day trip (flying solo), for the opportunity to collect the active SGR's . I have 30 days to decide if they are staying for good. I've been reluctant to start a dedicated thread on this, until my buying decision is finalised.
Hydrology Posted June 5, 2008 Posted June 5, 2008 Got a link? Lyle, Send me a PM with your email address and Ill send it on to you. Same for anybody else chasing the HiFi Choice review.
Awake In Animosity Posted June 5, 2008 Posted June 5, 2008 I have the 540C V2 and love it, I can only imagine that the 740 is even better again. However when you get to that price point there are a lot more options.
OzMillsy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Posted June 5, 2008 personally I wouldnt make mention of buffering/re-clocking mechanisms a basis of choice for any of these units. there are some lovely dacs out there which either mention or dont mention buffering/reclocking mechanisms. and espcially since you'll probably find every dac since the dawn of time has its own internal clock and has a mechanism to reclock the incomming signal ! Al, the link below, is the kind of information I'd expect to see from any DAC manufacturer. ie: a relatively detailed explanation of the design principles and implementation, of their jitter reduction/elimination mechanisms. 840C Whitepaper Without this, I would not go out of my way to sample a product. There are just too many options around, and I simply dont have the time to try them all. So my approach is, to research other peoples opinions. And also, research the product itself in terms of technical design information. If I like what I'm hearing on all fronts, I will then go to the trouble of obtaining a demo unit for in home testing. I have in my possession, an 840C for the long weekend. Which will be directly compared to the Raysonic CD128 that I am also trialling. Both players running unbalanced into my Burson Audio P-100 PRE, which is connected to the Active SGR's. Will report back my findings early next week.
betty boop Posted June 5, 2008 Posted June 5, 2008 Al, the link below, is the kind of information I'd expect to see from any DAC manufacturer. ie: a relatively detailed explanation of the design principles and implementation, of their jitter reduction/elimination mechanisms.840C Whitepaper Without this, I would not go out of my way to sample a product. There are just too many options around, and I simply dont have the time to try them all. So my approach is, to research other peoples opinions. And also, research the product itself in terms of technical design information. If I like what I'm hearing on all fronts, I will then go to the trouble of obtaining a demo unit for in home testing. I have in my possession, an 840C for the long weekend. Which will be directly compared to the Raysonic CD128 that I am also trialling. Both players running unbalanced into my Burson Audio P-100 PRE, which is connected to the Active SGR's. Will report back my findings early next week. good to see your goign to the effort of demoing the gear. I will say though having demoed a few different dacs and players, actually jsut about all I could get my hands on in the around $4k region. if you say you are not even going to sample a product unless it has a whitepaper writen about it then in my opinion you are severely limiting yourself from some great product thats out there. the raysonic for instance that you mention does it have a white paper written about it ? I think you'll find not many manufactuers see it a necessity to share their inner secrets, and prefer to hold them close ot their chest and yet that does not in anyway bare any reflection of the kind of product it tends to be. there is many a gem out there in fact and a lot of it with little or nothing written about it certainly not "relatively detailed explanation of the design principles and implementation, of their jitter reduction/elimination mechanisms" as seems your want. not to say the 840c might not be the perfect player for you however also be a little carefull not to be completely obsessed with specs and features and technical detail that it ends up limiting your search either way good luck with things
OzMillsy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Posted June 5, 2008 There's too many options Al. Limiting them, based on effort to market their own features, helps reduce the field. If I miss out, so be it. I'd rather put my money towards a company, prepared to shed light on their product, to their customers. I had the opportunity to loan the Raysonic, so didnt say no, given the rave reviews it gets.
2Brix Posted June 5, 2008 Posted June 5, 2008 Just go to CA's website for reviews. Example http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/product_revi...e=Press+reviews They are very proactive about putting favourable reviews (in full) on their website, often before the actual magazine is on sale here in Oz.
Hydrology Posted June 5, 2008 Posted June 5, 2008 Ive seen that 840C whitepaper around for a while now and I have to say there are not many manufacturers offering their trade secrets at this price point.
OzMillsy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Posted June 5, 2008 Ive seen that 840C whitepaper around for a while now and I have to say there are not many manufacturers offering their trade secrets at this price point. I should point out, that I am particularly interested in jitter correction mechanisms by external DAC's !! While I am also interested in what CDP's are doing internally, I see jitter as a particular issue for DACs receiving bitstreams from a seperate device with a different (likely inferior) clock - over sometimes dodgy cables and connectors. I would say the 840C white paper, while being very informative, is still high level. I've read similar info from Bel Canto and Benchmark, regarding their DAC products. If a player is going to represent itself as a DAC (like the Quad or 840C) comes at a rrp point of 2k or more , I want to know their design principles - in order to consider the spend, and to go to the trouble of organising a demo. To me, demoing is an ordeal, as I have very limited time available.
markus461503561824 Posted June 5, 2008 Posted June 5, 2008 I got an 840C from Eastwood HiFi about a month ago. Very happy with the service and the player! Mark
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