I've recently heard the 640 but not the 540. The 640 doesn't compare with my Marantz SA-11 on Redbook CD's, but it doesn't miss by that much and you can get five of them for what my player cost. Of course, it doesn't handle SACDs. Good musicality and sound stage through the system I listened to. If I were shopping for a CD player I'd find it hard to resist. Given the small price difference, my friend who had compared the two felt the 640 was the better investment. Reviews in the Brit publications are great on both of them, but I suspect you know that.

I'd love to post a review of the 540v2 that I received yesterday but it will not play a CD for more than 30 seconds without skipping. The new Keith Jarrett CD (no scratches) will not play at all. Even with 30 seconds here and there, I can tell the sound is of much higher quality than my old Music Hall CD-25. Hopefully the replacement will actually play CDs.

Oh no! I was thinking of getting myself that player for Christmas. Please let us know how Cambridge handles this problem.

So the the second player sounds good out the box (no skipping or failing to play cds). Still can't believe how different two CD players can sound.

The highs are definitely sweeter and more laid back than the Music Hall CD-25. The player is much more revealing of inner detail (I hear more audience interaction on live jazz cds). This player also beats the CD-25 on pure rhythm. I've listened to Ella and Louis, John Lee Hooker, Stan Getz and Patricia Barber. So far, I'm a happy camper.

That's hard to beat - a new CD player and good taste in music. Cheers!