Impressions: Cambridge Audio Azur 540c

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,793
edited October 2004 in Electronics
I will looking to replace my Denon CD player, looking for a much better quality player here...

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=CAMB540C&product_name=Azur%20540C%20CD%20Player

I have been told by a few that this CD player is fairly nice...

Any thoughts?
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2004
    Hey Sid --

    I have the 640C and it's awesome. It's so good at its price point that I decided to buy their DVD player, too. Great products, great prices. Nice bass reproduction, which I'm sure you can appreciate. Just make sure you switch out the power cord.

    BTW -- The folks at Audio Advisor told me that the sonic differences between the 540 and 640 are marginal.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    Hmm

    Very interesting

    Have you ever compared it to a Denon cdp?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2004
    No. Which Denon do you have?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    The Denon DCM-280
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2004
    Apples and oranges. The 540/640 is in an entirely different class of CD player than the Denon 280. One buys a Cambridge to experience music, whereas one buys a Denon 280 to play CDs.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2004
    Agreed. Cambridge makes some very nice gear.

    Unless you get into some higher level Denon, it's just generic....as with most manufacturers.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited October 2004
    Just don't ever listen to a Jolida after you buy the Cambridge.

    ;)

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    How much more is the Jolidia you speak of, I can get the Cambridge for like 250 used
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited October 2004
    About 3 times that.

    The Cambridge is a great player, it or the AMC CD8B have the market cornered on GOOD entry level players.

    If you want a NAD C540i cd player new for $299 or a NAD T512 dvd player new for $169, IM me and I'll put you in contact with someone.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    Hey,
    I cant do any of these upgrades until later on this year, just getting my list together...

    Thanks for the offer though...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2004
    Russ -- any experience with the Jolida preamps? I almost bought one but decided to go with a Musical Fidelity instead.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited October 2004
    Yep, Jolida makes great tube gear.

    Music Fidelity, as far as preamps go, I'd put them 'right there' with the best solid state has to offer. Good stuff, just not for me.

    I'd take one of their amps in a heartbeat.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    Early B,
    Do you know the differences in the 540/640, as in their sound?

    I am really thinking about skipping no corners and just going for the 640...

    Any thoughts?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2004
    Don't know, Sid. I never heard the 540. I really doubt that the sound would be much different, though.

    My advice is that if you're gonna upgrade your CD player, every other component, including interconnects and speaker cables, ought to be at the same level in order to realize the benefits. For instance, I paid more for a pair of 0.5M interconnects than I did for the Parasound preamp that I hooked them up to. Just something to keep in mind as you contemplate upgrading.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    Well, I have so far...

    1) B&K PT5 Preamp
    2) B&K ST 125.2 Amp
    3) Definitive Tech BP10B
    4) SVS PCi 22-31

    The weakest link as far as components go is the CD player...

    So that is next on the chopping block

    Interconnects, well, I dunno - but I am pretty content on changing out the power cables...

    Thanks for the help
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2004
    Are there better CDP's than the 640C? Yep. Are there better CDP's at the 640C's price.....I SERIOUSLY DOUBT IT.

    Stop stressing and buy the damn thing, you'll be pleased.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited October 2004
    I will buy it...when I have the funds... :p
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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