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Considering Cambridge Audio Amp/CD - Need Advice

Ok, I'm a brand new audiophile, or perhaps I should say I've been a wannabee audiophile for many years.

I just got a used pair of Paradigm 11se Mk II for $150. I know these are a bit older, but next to my previous Infinity RS-5B (which I'll have to sell now - anyone know what they're worth?), these are a huge improvement.

I've done a LOT of research and decided that all I need now are an integrated amp and a cd player. My budget is around $1,000 and from all my research, it seems my best bet is a Cambridge Audio 640A v.2 integrated amp and Cambridge Audio 640C v.2. The 640A is only 75 watts per channel, but supposedly 100 watts for 4 ohms, which is what my Paradigms are. Even though my Paradigms go up to 160 watts, with the size of the room I have, I'll never need anything close to that, so I figure that amp will suffice just fine.

So anyway, does this seem a good use of my money for a good entry level amp/cd player? Can anyone think of a better system for the money? Obviously I'll have to get a good conneting cable and speaker wire too.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Brand new to Audiogon.
soulgoober

Showing 2 responses by knownothing

Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,542 posts
 
Soulgoober,

Ready for number and letter soup? I have the 640C v2 and really like it. I think the all-640 combination you suggest is over your $1000 budget new, yes? Unless you are looking to buy these used, which may be a good idea, you might consider getting the 540A v2 integrated amp and mating it with the 640C v2 CDP. The 540A has less juice than the 640A, but gets good reviews and just sounds really well balanced. The 640C v2 has the same dual DAC arrangement as the new 740C, and sounds noticeably better than the 540C, which actually sounds pretty good. If you are buying used, make sure both amp and CDP are version 2, since they are noticeably better than the original versions.

You might also take a look at Music Hall integrated amps and CDPs, as they sound great for that kind of money. My 2 cents.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,542 posts
 
Soulgoober,

I have carefully compared many of these budget CDP units over a several month period and reviewed them together briefly here:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/digital-sources/cd-players/cambridge-audio/PRD_299480_1586crx.aspx#review0

Review date is April 12, 2006.

If you go to this review site for the Cambridge 640C, you notice some people had quality problems with early 640s, but I have had no trouble owning sequentially both versions over a 1.5 year period. I have noticed a big improvement in sound quality as my 640C v2 has broken in, now sounding smoother, more open and with deeper and more musical bass.

I agree that the low cost integrated amps have very similar sound quality - so one reason to buy the Cambridge amp is that it has been voiced to work together with their CDPs, although it is possible to defeat this advantage by using the "wrong" interconnects. My gripe with NAD is that they have plastic face plates, seems like a cheap touch in a competitive market. Outlaw idea is interesting.

Another reason to go all Cambridge is that the fine Azur remote control will operate both units, for what that is worth.

If you are going for ultimate bang for the buck, used gear is a good route, but probably a better way to go once you have been involved in the hobby longer. Your remote location will mean a close relationship with UPS/FedEx until you find what you like.

One last note, save some money for good interconnects and decent budget power cables. Check out Signal Cable at: http://signalcable.com/ for relatively cheap PCs. There are many places to get reasonably priced but effective ICs including Signal.
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