Cambridge audio 640C V1 Vs. Rotel 1072

cbl117
cbl117 Posts: 285
edited March 2006 in Electronics
If you needed to choose between the Cambridge audio 640C and the Rotel 1072, what would you choose? and Why? I know the DACs are different, but is one DAC better than the other?

My budget is $500. I'm looking at the Rotel 1072 used. The cambridge is on sale at audioadvisor for $343. Are there any other CDPs that I should be looking at?
2 Channel

Vandersteen 3a Sigs
Music Reference RM-200
Hovland HP-100
VPI Scout w/ Benz Ace
Rotel RCD-1072
Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects
Cardas Golden Power Cords
PS Audio UPC-200HB
Black Diamond Racing Isolation
Post edited by cbl117 on
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Comments

  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2006
    Honestly...you would not be making a mistake which ever way you go. There was a thread here a few weeks ago where the 1072's praises were expanded on at length. The CA is also thought of very highly and has been discussed on the forum also. I've heard both and I like both. The Rotel may be a little better thus the $157 higher price. The CA is close and for $157 less you get a very good CDP with a mfg. warranty. Either way you go....you will be pleased.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited March 2006
    Search for the thread on the Rotel shack mentioned. It received a lot of praise.

    I would most definitely go with the Rotel.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
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  • cbl117
    cbl117 Posts: 285
    edited March 2006
    thanks for the replies. Unless I find a good deal on a used Rotel 1072, I'm going to go with the CA 640c.

    I'm just trying to figure out if the 640c V2 is worth the extra cash. Is the only difference the DAC quantity? V1 has one DAC, while V2 has two DACs. Does this really matter in the real world or is it only gonna matter on spec sheets?

    Oh I did read those threads you were speaking of. It just made my decision that much harder...;)
    2 Channel

    Vandersteen 3a Sigs
    Music Reference RM-200
    Hovland HP-100
    VPI Scout w/ Benz Ace
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
    Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects
    Cardas Golden Power Cords
    PS Audio UPC-200HB
    Black Diamond Racing Isolation
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2006
    I have the Rotel 1072. I love it!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited March 2006
    There will be a real world difference between the 640C V1 and V2, for sure. The only question is are you a critical enough listener, and is your system up to snuff for that difference to be noticeable and appreciable.

    If you're going to put out enough dough for the 640Cv2, I would really go with the Rotel instead.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2006
    cbl117 wrote:
    I'm just trying to figure out if the 640c V2 is worth the extra cash. Is the only difference the DAC quantity? V1 has one DAC, while V2 has two DACs. Does this really matter in the real world or is it only gonna matter on spec sheets?
    It probably matters...the question is how much and is it noticable in your rig. My guess would be not a lot.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited March 2006
    cbl117 wrote:
    ....I'm just trying to figure out if the 640c V2 is worth the extra cash. Is the only difference the DAC quantity? V1 has one DAC, while V2 has two DACs. Does this really matter in the real world or is it only gonna matter on spec sheets?....)

    The 640C V2 also received a new transformer (quieter), control bus connections, dimming LCD panel.

    Just FYI.
    Dave
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited March 2006
    Dual Dac's is ALWAYS a good thing. If it's within your budget get the V2. The Rotel is a great choice as well.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited March 2006
    + 1 for the Rotel.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • cbl117
    cbl117 Posts: 285
    edited March 2006
    I was checking out Rotel's website, and I think the Rotel 1072 only has one DAC. Could someone confirm that?
    2 Channel

    Vandersteen 3a Sigs
    Music Reference RM-200
    Hovland HP-100
    VPI Scout w/ Benz Ace
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
    Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects
    Cardas Golden Power Cords
    PS Audio UPC-200HB
    Black Diamond Racing Isolation
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited March 2006
    I *believe* that you're right on that. However, the number of DACs does not dictate sound quality.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited March 2006
    audiobliss wrote:
    I *believe* that you're right on that. However, the number of DACs does not dictate sound quality.

    Uhmmmm. Yes and no. Sure 1 ultra-accurate single DAC may sound better than 2 mediocre DAC's. Obviously many other things are at work in the design. I'd bet, given that these two units are pretty similar to each other as far as design, pricing, packaging, etc., dual Dac's is the ticket. It isn't the end all, but here I think some people would notice and improvement.

    But, again as I stated earlier, each is a soild choice.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited March 2006
    I wasn't trying to say that the Rotel walks over the CA, I was just wanting to point out that single components, and lots of times even the whole thing, isn't very representative of how it will sound to you in your system.

    The 640Cv2 and RCD1072 have similar designs? Didn't know that. Given that, and that the DACs are of similar quality, I'll bet that the CA probably would be better with two of 'em.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited March 2006
    audiobliss wrote:
    The 640Cv2 and RCD1072 have similar designs? Didn't know that. Given that, and that the DACs are of similar quality, I'll bet that the CA probably would be better with two of 'em.

    Maybe similar design was the wrong word. But they are in the same league, comparable components, build-wise, budget wise, target market etc. One is not heads above the other. Maybe this makes more sense :p . Typically if they incorporate 2 dac's generally there has been more care taken internally. ;)

    Which ever one sounds better to you, if you can compare them side-by-side.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited March 2006
    Thanks for the clarification. Makes sense. :)
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cbl117
    cbl117 Posts: 285
    edited March 2006
    Thanks for the info!

    I'll try and find a hifi shop around the LA area and give them both a listen. I'm leaning toward the CA 640C V2 since its the cheaper of the two. Unless there is a big difference between the two, the CA is my ticket.
    2 Channel

    Vandersteen 3a Sigs
    Music Reference RM-200
    Hovland HP-100
    VPI Scout w/ Benz Ace
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
    Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects
    Cardas Golden Power Cords
    PS Audio UPC-200HB
    Black Diamond Racing Isolation
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cbl117
    cbl117 Posts: 285
    edited March 2006
    50 Posts!!!!!!! I'M a POLKSTER NOW!!!:D :D:D:D
    2 Channel

    Vandersteen 3a Sigs
    Music Reference RM-200
    Hovland HP-100
    VPI Scout w/ Benz Ace
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Cardas Golden Reference Speaker Cables
    Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects
    Cardas Golden Power Cords
    PS Audio UPC-200HB
    Black Diamond Racing Isolation
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited March 2006
    Hehe...maybe now you're waist high to the proverbial 'CP grasshopper'...:p
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited March 2006
    The CA 640C won't play back HDCD...This was the only reason I did'nt get it instead of the Rotel 1072.

    To most,this is not a big deal,but to me it was worth the little extra for the 1072.

    Picked up our Rotel on the gon' for 500 shipped.
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited March 2006
    Mike Reeter wrote:
    The CA 640C won't play back HDCD...This was the only reason I did'nt get it instead of the Rotel 1072.

    To most,this is not a big deal,but to me it was worth the little extra for the 1072.

    Picked up our Rotel on the gon' for 500 shipped.


    I've been wanting to get the 1072 also. Hopefully soon. $500 shipped is a really good deal.
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