New Cambridge Azur 540D v2
SKsolutions
Posts: 1,820
Cambridge DVD87 died prematurely. It developed a quirk where the disc would keep spinning without me knowing, even after it was 'stopped'. I found out by walking by and hearing it and was all WTF. Ultimately, I think the motor developed a flat spot or additional servo issue, because it would work with the lid slid back if you gave the disc a jump start spin. Other than the ghost it had, the player had a great picture and the CD performance was way above par at the price point. At 22 months old, it was just under the warranty, and Spearit sound looked up the receipt and sent it out for repair at no cost. Good deal, cool place.
With the 175$ or so that I planned on getting from the sale of the repaired unit, I figured I might as well get something better. I was thinking that a used Denon 2910 would be almost an even swap, but I was looking around at Spearit while I was there. I read the reviews on the Cambridge 540D, v2, that had just come out, somewhat after it's counterparts, and wanted to give it a look/listen. It was the second cheapest unit that they carried, but the salesperson felt that it was by far the best player at anything close to it's priecepoint. The cheaper unit was the Denon, and step above was a Rotel at about 1K. When asked what performance gains I would get from the Rotel, he indicated not much, if any. That was my opinion, right or wrong, going in anyway, but it's nice to hear from someone that has certain sales goals to meet. I did not ask for a demo, but just bought the unit. Out the door (after hearing some Dalis play on CJ gear) at 470$ so it's a net upgrade of 300$.
Worth it for regular, non-HD DVD? I don't have an extensive collection, but I do run Netflix and Blockbuster in parallel so that I'm never without something in the house. ie. lots of movies are watched.
The picture on regular component is absolutely stunning for non-high-def material. Colors are saturated properly without any push that I can detect, and my panel likes the signal it's getting because I don't see ANY scaling noise. Layer change is quick, and 5.1 seems to blend a bit better. Seems, can't say for sure. As a CD player, it's pretty nuts at this price. The tray is rock solid, and the transport has that slow and smooth operation that gives the impression that it will last for many years. How does it sound on CD analog outs? It's all the things that most would want. It digs deep and it's pretty damned refined in mid and highs. I played a Naim True Stereo CD, that I use as a reference, and it runs the gamut of real instruments recorded in analog with just two mikes and no compression/limiter. The result is quite good and seems to be equal to many of the stand alone CD players that I've heard in the 500$ range. The presentation is a tad forward and present, but large and open. I've been able to eliminate most toe in on 9's. If you are looking a good match for the LSi's, don't want to spend a ton on a CD player, want a killer DVD picture in the same box, it's a very good option to consider. Dollar/Detail rating on redbook is high.
For 2 channel, but shared use with HT.
Pre/Pro: HK 630
Power: Adcom GFA 555
Disc: Cambridge 540D v2
Mains: LSi9 biwired Canare
Sub: Hsu STF-2
Stands: Sanus NF 30"
With the 175$ or so that I planned on getting from the sale of the repaired unit, I figured I might as well get something better. I was thinking that a used Denon 2910 would be almost an even swap, but I was looking around at Spearit while I was there. I read the reviews on the Cambridge 540D, v2, that had just come out, somewhat after it's counterparts, and wanted to give it a look/listen. It was the second cheapest unit that they carried, but the salesperson felt that it was by far the best player at anything close to it's priecepoint. The cheaper unit was the Denon, and step above was a Rotel at about 1K. When asked what performance gains I would get from the Rotel, he indicated not much, if any. That was my opinion, right or wrong, going in anyway, but it's nice to hear from someone that has certain sales goals to meet. I did not ask for a demo, but just bought the unit. Out the door (after hearing some Dalis play on CJ gear) at 470$ so it's a net upgrade of 300$.
Worth it for regular, non-HD DVD? I don't have an extensive collection, but I do run Netflix and Blockbuster in parallel so that I'm never without something in the house. ie. lots of movies are watched.
The picture on regular component is absolutely stunning for non-high-def material. Colors are saturated properly without any push that I can detect, and my panel likes the signal it's getting because I don't see ANY scaling noise. Layer change is quick, and 5.1 seems to blend a bit better. Seems, can't say for sure. As a CD player, it's pretty nuts at this price. The tray is rock solid, and the transport has that slow and smooth operation that gives the impression that it will last for many years. How does it sound on CD analog outs? It's all the things that most would want. It digs deep and it's pretty damned refined in mid and highs. I played a Naim True Stereo CD, that I use as a reference, and it runs the gamut of real instruments recorded in analog with just two mikes and no compression/limiter. The result is quite good and seems to be equal to many of the stand alone CD players that I've heard in the 500$ range. The presentation is a tad forward and present, but large and open. I've been able to eliminate most toe in on 9's. If you are looking a good match for the LSi's, don't want to spend a ton on a CD player, want a killer DVD picture in the same box, it's a very good option to consider. Dollar/Detail rating on redbook is high.
For 2 channel, but shared use with HT.
Pre/Pro: HK 630
Power: Adcom GFA 555
Disc: Cambridge 540D v2
Mains: LSi9 biwired Canare
Sub: Hsu STF-2
Stands: Sanus NF 30"
-Ignorance is strength -
Post edited by SKsolutions on
Comments
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Congrats SK. Enjoy.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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I have the 540 v1 and continue to be impressed by the PQ and HT SQ. I don't use it for CD's, so can't comment on that. I had a Denon 3910 here that I could of bought reasonable, and the CA 540 was better for both PQ and for HT SQ. Great DVD player at a reasonable price point!DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
Thanks cfrizz!
Shameless reprint: What Hi-Fi
The Azur 540D V2 is a new ground-up DVD player design from Cambridge Audio which embraces HDMI technology for outstanding picture quality and simplicity while the company’s usual attention to audio reproduction ensures superb sound from music or video sources. The 540D uses a highly evolved DVD chipset and proprietary Phased Lock Loop (PLL) system which produces incredibly low jitter. Indeed the DAC specified and anti-aliasing filter circuits mean the 540D is also a true audiophile CD player while the HDMI output is capable of upscaling to 720p or 1080i. The 540D is a remarkable CD/DVD player at this price point.
N-Ignorance is strength -
