Cambridge 540C CD Player : break-in period, sonics, etc.

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In October i bought a new Cambridge Audio 'Azur' 540C CD player (NOT
the 640C, about which the seller/advisor--whose audio expertise is
established--said the difference between both models is "not that
huge" ). So i chose the 540C over the 640C (although the latter
undoubtedly surpasses the 540C as it has better D/A Converter).
However, i chose the Cambridge over CD players from Nad, Rotel and
Denon. Nad and Rotel were out of reach for my budget; the Denon models
were not as interesting as the Cambridge; for about the same cost,
there definitely is more music for my money in the Cambridge product.
BTW, Cambridge has a new, entry-level CD player in their current
'Azur' series, the 340C (D/A Converter is NOT the Wolfson as found in
the 'bigger brothers').

Right out of the box, the 540C does not sound "full steam". As with
most units, before break-in, it typically sounded analytical and a bit
sterile. The sound was somewhat recessed. The manufacturer recommends
at least 36 hrs for break-in (this may vary from unit to unit though).
My immediate impression was that the soundstage of the 540C was more
forward--at least when compared to my previous CD player, a moderately
good Technics SLPD10 cd changer. Switching from the SLPD10 to the
540C, i hear the difference between reasonably good mid-fi and the
entry-level haut-de-gamme of the Cambridge. Obviously, the Mash 1bit
D/A Converter and relatively low cost parts of the Technics
(Panasonic) are miles away from the 24bit/192kHz Wolfson--not to
mention superior quality of parts and sturdy aluminum construction.
The 540C has reasonably deep and tight bass, the highs are extended
and clear without being harsh; soundstage is three-dimensional and
well-focused. It has no problem whatsoever playing my various CD-R's.

The more i listen to this cd player (the 540C), the more i acclimate
myself to its "character". Typically, the sound is less aggressive,
less edgy, than my previous cd player. The back wall goes a few feet
away; more subtle details are revealed. Of course, the next logical
step will be to improve the rest of my stereo equipment: the Technics
SAEX140 receiver will get out of here! I am now considering buying an
integrated amp, next year. The Nad 320BEE is among my first choices,
but their horsepowered 370 and 372 amps are also worth consideration.
There's also the Cambridge 640A amp about which i know nothing. And if
i'd have enough bucks, the second-hand market offers pure high-end at
an affordable price. I particularly look forward for jewels such as
the Classe Audio CAP-151 integrated amp. There's also some of the
Bryston stuff which i find interesting. I will also probably seek to
improve audio cables (interconnects).

I would appreciate your comments about those components. If you have
suggestion to make about integrated amps and audio cables to best suit
and, i hope, pull the maximum out of my cd player, let me know.

jean c (Canada)

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

"J." <infectiousfile@hotmail.com> wrote in message
newsb35052c.0411271047.2b379015@posting.google.com...
> In October i bought a new Cambridge Audio 'Azur' 540C CD player (NOT
> the 640C, about which the seller/advisor--whose audio expertise is
> established--said the difference between both models is "not that
> huge" ). So i chose the 540C over the 640C (although the latter
> undoubtedly surpasses the 540C as it has better D/A Converter).
> However, i chose the Cambridge over CD players from Nad, Rotel and
> Denon. Nad and Rotel were out of reach for my budget; the Denon models

<snip>
> jean c (Canada)


I agree with Mr. Crowley. This is at least 98% ego stroking. This person
would be as readily fooled in a double-blind test as most of us would - we
just don't go on about such minor and often fanciful "differences" in the
sound of components which are essentially neutral in character, like cd
players and amps.

Try rec.audio.opinion and rec.audio.high-end, or whatever it's called.

Mark Z.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

Laurence Payne <l@laurenceDELETEpayne.freeserve.co.uk> wrote
> You've been reading too many hi-fi magazines :-)

Yeah, you're absoluetely right
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