I agree with Daltonlanny on many points. I have put about 250 hours on an 840c. I did some very serious listening thru a few different systems and there were consistent short comings. None that serious but they are worth mentioning. In comparing the 840c to the Rega Saturn and Ayre CX7 I thought it was lacking in these areas>>
-Blackness between notes and in overall sound stage.
-The instruments and voices seemed to run into each other to some extent. Imaging was not as defined as either of the other players.
-There was more of a hi-fi quality to the overall sound. Although interesting to listen to, it wasn't as natural sounding as either the Rega or the Ayre.
-I found overall I wasn't drawn into the music as much as with the other players. With the 840c, I kept getting pulled into the sound of the cd player, not the music.
I could certainly live with the 840c. It has some great features and it is an outstanding value but there are other players out there in the 5K and below price range that I believe are better.
-Blackness between notes and in overall sound stage.
-The instruments and voices seemed to run into each other to some extent. Imaging was not as defined as either of the other players.
-There was more of a hi-fi quality to the overall sound. Although interesting to listen to, it wasn't as natural sounding as either the Rega or the Ayre.
-I found overall I wasn't drawn into the music as much as with the other players. With the 840c, I kept getting pulled into the sound of the cd player, not the music.
I could certainly live with the 840c. It has some great features and it is an outstanding value but there are other players out there in the 5K and below price range that I believe are better.