I'll have a chance to compare it to my Wadia 830 within a few days. I know... that Wadia is under $5k so it probably doesn't stand much of a chance *hah*
Seriously, I'm considering it because I'm looking for a solid transport and my Wadia doesn't have digital outs. As such, I'm currently running my Wadia analog into my Tact 2.0s pre which means it's doing a double D-A-D-A hop. That can't be good. It'll be interesting to see how the 840c stands up. |
I can still access it. It's titled: Cambridge 740c...comparable to Rega Saturn?
I believe this is the url: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1187551529 |
Well, it seems Datonlanny's other thread has gone missing again.
I just received an 840c... too early to tell how well it'll stack up against my Wadia, but one thing I've noticed is that the transport mechanism is not very smooth... there's a slight scraping sound when it opens/closes and a bit of a clunk sound. I seem to recall a thead that mentioned this but now can't find it. I suspect it was in mysteriously disappearing thread.
If you've got an 840c, can you comment on the drawer mechanism? |
Joey_v, I have not yet had a chance to listen to the 840c critically to compare with the Wadia. As a stand-alone CDP, I think the Wadia is stellar so I'll be amazed if the 840c can rival that much less beat it.
But, my reason for checking out the 840c is primarily as an upsampling transport to feed my Tact 2.0s preamp which operates in the digital domain. My Wadia 830 doesn't have digital outs so using it to feed the Tact means it must do a D-A-D-A dance and that can't be a good thing.
I'll definitely post my findings but it'll likely be another week before I do. |
OK, after about a week of continuous burn-in, I did some critical listening to my 840c last night and a bit of comparison with my Wadia 830 (w/GNSC mods) although I hope to spend a good bit more time with both this weekend.
What I can say is that the 840c does live up to the hype. The top-end has definition and delicacy to die for with an equally rich and involving midrange. Very realistic and engaging with a wonderful sense of extension and ambience which definitely contributes to a sense of venue when called for. The 840c's soundstage is also wide and deep. And, all other factors aside, it is very musically engaging. I listened for several hours and never tired, although it was certainly revealing in the difference between excellent records (e.g. XRCDs) versus poor recordings. And, the edginess that I heard upon initial listen a week ago was totally gone.
I will also add that these characteristics of the 840c held true whether used simply as a transport feeding my Tact or using the unbalanced RCA outs. I have not had a chance to check the balanced out.
I then switched back to the Wadia... While I found myself missing that sweet top-end of the 840c a bit, I must say that to my ears, the Wadia edged out the 840c in one particularly important area... The Wadia presented a noticable blacker background with better defined space between voices and instruments. This contributed to a more realistic 3D presentation with more perceived depth to each instrument or voice.
Of course, the Wadia 830 w/GNSC mods places it in a price range well above the CA 840c (although still lower than the TAS $5k threshold).
Mike |
Yup, I've been using it with my Tact 2.0s which reports the format of the digital input. The 840c does output an upsampled digital stream via the SPDIF out. |
Smargo, that's certainly what I'm hoping. Unfortunately, I only have a 2 week eval period (bought from Spearit Sound) which means I've got to make a decision within the next 5 days.
|
While the Wadia may have an edge on the 3D thing, I have to agree with Smargo about the 840c's musicality. You won't be disappointed by the 840c... and you'd have to get a bit anal when comparing to the more far more expensive competition to hear the differences. Give it a listen - you won't be disappointed. It's far better than anything in its price range that I've heard. |
Don't give up too quickly on the 840c without listening to it... I know it surprised me. The is much truth to be found in all the hype. Just be sure to give it time to breakin. |
Wow, 3 went up for sale this weekend with 2 sale pending...
I imagine many were purchased shortly after the TAS review. I still think this is an exceptional CDP for the money but perhaps many were hoping it really does compete with $5k+ players. If I were looking for the very best CDP for up to $5k, the 840c would probably not make it to the top of the list. But... for what it does, it would be very hard to beat at twice it's price and probably higher if what you're looking for must include digital inputs.
Mike |
After 400+ hours of breakin, I've tried it both balanced and unbalanced (as well as a transport alone). I "think" balanced may have marginally better definition but I think Daltonlanny is right in that they are not matched levels so it's difficult to say. If you have a balanced rig, then by all means run it balanced, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the 840c via the RCA outs (or just as a transport). |
Darrens, it all matters *g*
Kiwi, there is a post here somewhere where I did compare the CA 840c against the GNSC modded Wadia 830. The Wadia came out on top with better dimension, depth and definition in voices and instruments -- but we're talking about Wadia and Great Northern Sound. That should hardly be a surprise. Ultimately, however, I did decide to sell the Wadia in favor of the 840c because I was looking for a transport to use with my modded Tact 2.0s. The Wadia did not have digital outs and running the Wadia analog outs into the AtoD converter in the Tact and then the Tact DAC out to the amp just lost too much in the translation.
As Darrens noted, I have since sold the 840c because I had an opportunity to try an Oracle CD1000 transport over the holidays that I just fell in love with. Please note that it's MLP is 3 times that of the 840c. The Oracle is definitely staying put for a long time.
I still believe the 840c is an exceptional CDP and punches way out of it's price range. Definitely worth a listen no matter what price range you're looking in. |
Kiwi, I've got a modded Tact 2.0s which has a modded DAC as well. The room correction of the Tact has done wonders for my listening room (which doubles as our living room hence no room treatments allowed ;-).
The 840c as a transport into the Tact was very, very good. The Oracle, beyond just being a gorgeous piece of equipment, added a level of body and depth to voices and instruments that I just couldn't resist. |
