Cambridge 640-P Up and Running
Gulfstrings
Posts: 313
Okay, I've had the phono pre-amp running for about three days and have struggled a bit to determine if it's made a real difference.
Immediately after install I spun Mike Bloomfield's "It's Not Killing Me" which was probably not a very good idea - but it was sitting there. Then I played all four sides of Hot Tuna's "Double Dose" and while it was much better than the (admittedly poor) Bloomfield album, I really couldn't hear a big difference from the Onkyo 707's output.
The instructions on the Cambridge do say to give the box a week or so to settle in so I'll give a more comprehensive listen later.
In the mean time, I can say the 640-P came nicely packaged and it appears very well built weighing about two pounds and nicely finished. The outboard power unit isn't too impressive but I guess it doesn't really have to be. A single, not-too-bright blue light indicates power.
Perhaps my expectations were either unfairly high for the Cambridge or possibility the Onkyo wasn't doing that bad of a job? Either way, we'll give a better listen in a day or so along with some direct comparing and let you know what I hear.
Dave
Immediately after install I spun Mike Bloomfield's "It's Not Killing Me" which was probably not a very good idea - but it was sitting there. Then I played all four sides of Hot Tuna's "Double Dose" and while it was much better than the (admittedly poor) Bloomfield album, I really couldn't hear a big difference from the Onkyo 707's output.
The instructions on the Cambridge do say to give the box a week or so to settle in so I'll give a more comprehensive listen later.
In the mean time, I can say the 640-P came nicely packaged and it appears very well built weighing about two pounds and nicely finished. The outboard power unit isn't too impressive but I guess it doesn't really have to be. A single, not-too-bright blue light indicates power.
Perhaps my expectations were either unfairly high for the Cambridge or possibility the Onkyo wasn't doing that bad of a job? Either way, we'll give a better listen in a day or so along with some direct comparing and let you know what I hear.
Dave
Marantz AV7005
Marantz MM7055
Onkyo DX-755 CdP
Oppo BDP-93
Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
Polk RTi A7s
Polk CSi A6
Polk FXi A6s
Velodyne VDR10-BV
Panamax M5100-PM
Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
Marantz MM7055
Onkyo DX-755 CdP
Oppo BDP-93
Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
Polk RTi A7s
Polk CSi A6
Polk FXi A6s
Velodyne VDR10-BV
Panamax M5100-PM
Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
Post edited by Gulfstrings on
Comments
-
This will also be highly dependent on your ICs between the table and pre and between the pre and AVR. I know my Parasound was a decent step up from the built-in phono stage in my Pio SC-05, but it wasn't an OMG kind of upgrade.Turntable: Empire 208
Arm: Rega 300
Cart: Shelter 501 III
Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
