2. analog
  3. 1246580521

Where to go from here

I've got to rave about my setup. I started upgrading my system about a year ago after years of raising kids, etc. Had an old Denon 75 turntable with a Luxman arm, Adcom GFA 55 amp, Vandersteen 2ce speakers, dumpy little Sony CD player, Hafler preamp that I built years ago.

Started by changing out the speakers to Quad 22L2, then bought a Rega P3-24 with Elys II, Cary SLP-94L preamp, Cambridge Audio Azur 640 CD player, bought another GFA 555 and am running a vertical bi-amp to the Quads. Then started tweaking, mostly with the turntable because one of the reasons I stopped listening critically to music over the years is because CDs always sounded wrong to me. So, got a Herbie's mat, TTPSU, built a vibration platform with two hardwood boards and squash balls in between with a timbernation maple 2" slab (with adjustable spikes) on top then turntable, changed out the subplatter with a groovetracer and the counterweight with the Mitchell.

Also, got Morrow Audio connectors for the CD and Aurelex Subdudes for the speakers.

Holy Moly, the analog sounds incredible, especially after switching out the subplatter and counterweight. I'm begging people to come in and listen to vinyl. Even my old vinyl, cleaned up on a VPI 16.5 sounds great. I'm in analog heaven. But, even though my CDs now sound better because of the addition of the Cary tube preamp and Morrow interconnects, it still doesn't sound right a lot of the time.

My question: I've spent about 2k on the analog setup. If I spend that much on a CD player, what can I expect? Can I approach the quality sound I am getting from my analog rig?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
gmsasso

Showing 3 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,693 posts
 
I think you should be able to with the 640. I've heard it done well with the 840c and I think the 640 is supposed to be sonically equivalent.

I guess it would help to know more about what sounds good with the vinyl and wrong with the CDs to you?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,693 posts
 
Gm,

I really doubt its the Cambridge player, unless something is not right with it. WHat you describe is not necessarily its nature based on when I've heard it compared to good vinyl on a well set up dealer system.

Maybe the Adcom amp? I'm not an Adcom guru but I have heard many indicate that they can be a bit harsh and brittle compared to some of the better amps out there. That usually works to the benefit of vinyl. Also, I am not familiar with your interconnects but that can make a difference. So can power conditioning if needed. If it were me, I'd look at some of these things perhaps before dumping more money into a new player. You may still find one you like better, but the one you have should sound competitive with vinyl at least with well produced and/or re-mastered discs.

Be sure you compare apples and apples when comparing vinyl recordings to CD. Either can be better at anytime under the best circumstances depending.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,693 posts
 
You might just want to try something different sounding to synergize with your system before dropping big bucks on a player.

If you have the money and want to, the best I've heard is the DCS Puccini.

Or maybe try using a tube DAC with your Cambridge as the transport. That can add some tube flavoring just to the digital and take the digital edge off if that is all that is bothering you.

I can vouch for the mhdt Paradisea. The mhdt Havana is said to be even better. Both come in under $1000.
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