Components advice

June 19, 2006 - 6:35pm

Monty

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Joined: Sep 16 2005 - 6:55pm

Hi Andy,

The Cambridge 640C amp and 640 disc player are thrilling the British magazines these days and are quite inexpensive. Rotel has a nice, entry level integrated that is considered the leader at its price point...again, by the British audio press. You might drop by Barnes and Noble to see if they have a recent edition of the British magazine, What Hi Fi Sound and Vision. They often recommend complete systems that sound good together.

When you can't listen for yourself you have to put a little faith in someone and when it comes to entry level, British gear, What Hi Fi knows the stuff as well as anyone.

June 19, 2006 - 6:53pm

#3

arontal

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Joined: Jun 14 2006 - 7:56am

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely check out that magazinein the next few days. Interesting you say that, as it was a brit that recommended the Azur components.

I didn't know what to think of the Rotel gear. It sounded good, but I was in a poor listening environment to make a comparison. I hadn't heard of the brand before I saw it the other day, so I was a bit skeptical.

One of the good things about being a musician is that I'm used to describing timbre in words. It makes reading descriptions of gear meaningful...as long as I have faith in the reviewers ears.

June 19, 2006 - 11:37pm

#4

Windzilla

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Joined: Oct 19 2005 - 10:10pm

Hey, M n Em

for what it is worth, I have an Azur 340c in my system (you can look it up in the pictures area). I guess I can't say much about potential sonics as it uses a crystal DAC, and the 540 & 640 use wolfson's, but the build quality is excellent, easily on par with arcam IMHO.

oh and just a small correction the azur products are made by cambridge audio which is a british company totally sperate from cambridge soundworks a U.S. firm I believe.

June 24, 2006 - 4:31pm

#5

arontal

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Joined: Jun 14 2006 - 7:56am

Ok, right now the decision comes down to:
1. Arcam Solo
2. Cambridge Audio 640a/c
3. Marantz 7001 amp/5001 cd

The Arcam is probably my favorite, but the most expensive, by a long shot.
The Cambridge Audio stuff is considerably cheaper and the reviews are very positive. Although, people say the sound is more "raw"...which is a it of a wishy-washy non-desrit term to me. I'd have to buy it sight-unheard though as I don't have a Cambridge Audio dealer around me that carries it.
I've listened to friend's Marantz system a few years ago when I was staying at his house for a week. I really liked the sound. Hard to compare, though, as it was a different room, different speakers and 3 years ago.

Compare, contrast...pontificate...