Cambridge 740c or Rega Apollo with Linn and Sonus

I thought it was interesting that Hi Fi Choice, in its original review, talked about how fantastic the unit was, but in its "Ultimate Group" survery, the bass was picked out as 'lacking speed and control.' The reviewer, in the original review, said the bass was 'truly excellent, deep, powerful, tuneful, rhythmic and controlled." Huh? Talk about an about-face. Oh well, I haven't found that to be the case. Must be me...

Yes at least Hi Fi News is consistant. It just gave the 840C the gong for trumping products from Cairn, Roksan, Naim and Creek.

Kiwi - What exactly does Hi Fi News say about the Cambridge 840C compared to the Creek and Naim, and what were these last two company's products?
I am looking to upgrade from the Apollo, and was maybe considering the 840C, Creek Destiny and Naim CD5i. This turns out to be an even more interesting thread as each day goes by!
Thanks,

Patrick

I haven't heard that particular Creek. You should listen to the Naim 5i since their players have a unique presentation that I find quite infectious. On the other hand the Cambridge 840 certainly will provide more detail and may sound more "natural" and "neutral" than the Naim, which to my ears sounds downright perky and bouncy in comparison. I think both these players are really good values and offer you two very distinct choices in terms of the sound they produce. I think the Naim really shines when partnered with one of their amps. The Cambridge can sound good with a variety of amplifiers because of its overall accuracy and neutrality.

05-13-08: Pat70
Kiwi - What exactly does Hi Fi News say about the Cambridge 840C compared to the Creek and Naim, and what were these last two company's products?
I am looking to upgrade from the Apollo, and was maybe considering the 840C, Creek Destiny and Naim CD5i. This turns out to be an even more interesting thread as each day goes by!
Thanks,

Patrick

The review group test included the new Cairn Tornado, The CA 840C, The Creek Classic, the New Naim 5i (italic) and the Roksan Candy III.

In summary the magazine said

"In resolution, detail and neutrality the Cambridge Audio 840C wipes the floor with the rest of the bunch. The way it extracts information from the disc and presents it without bias or congestion is up there with players costing two or three times its ticket price..."

Not surprisingly and despite being one of the lower priced CD players in this test - the honours went to CA.

With a source it really makes sense to opt for high resolution and neutrality. The sound can be tuned later in the audio chain if you want something more warm - but you can never get back information that was lost at the source due to poor resolution. The second best player on test was the Naim. Not a bad player by any means but doesn't have a prayer of matching CA's high resolving abilities or its neutrality. The Creek and Roksan according to the mag "sound a little past their sell-by dates". Ouch.