Cambridge or Marantz?

raymeedc
raymeedc Posts: 10
edited March 2009 in Electronics
I have a choice of purchasing a Cambridge Audio Azur 340c for $100 or a Marantz CD5001 for $200. Considering the fact that my financial situation is tight at the moment, is the Marantz worth twice the price? They're both in excellent condition, & I won't get the chance to audition either in advance. I listen to mostly classical & Jazz through a pair of Dynaco A-25 speakers.
Post edited by raymeedc on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2009
    Having compared a Cambridge 540C and 840C to a Marantz SA-8001, I say go with the Cambridge. I can't imagine it sounding vastly different than the 540C.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited March 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Having compared a Cambridge 540C and 840C to a Marantz SA-8001, I say go with the Cambridge. I can't imagine it sounding vastly different than the 540C.

    Face, Would you say that the 840C is significantly better than the 540C? I've been thinking about going with either the 640C and the 740C (depends on my taxes:D ). I know the 740C shares many features, such as dual Dacs and upsampling, with the 840C. I was hoping your comparision would give me some insight into whether the price jump was worthwhile. Can't afford the 840C:mad: but hoped the 740C would be close.
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2009
    They sound very alike.

    If you can, go for the 740C due to the digital inputs.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited March 2009
    raymeedc wrote: »
    I have a choice of purchasing a Cambridge Audio Azur 340c for $100 or a Marantz CD5001 for $200. Considering the fact that my financial situation is tight at the moment, is the Marantz worth twice the price? They're both in excellent condition, & I won't get the chance to audition either in advance. I listen to mostly classical & Jazz through a pair of Dynaco A-25 speakers.

    I have the Marantz CD5001 and I think its excellent for the money -- you would be pleased I believe to get this for $200 in excellent condition.

    I haven't heard the Cambridge line, though, so I can't make the comparisons that Face has.

    If you do decide to go with the Cambridge this just came up on Audiogon. Its the 540C which Face spoke of. At $259 and less than a week old it seems like a great deal:

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1241491086&/Cambridge-Audio-540C-In-Black-
    2 Ch.
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited March 2009
    Face, Thanks

    If you decide to stretch for the 540C consider this

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA540CV2

    I believe the shipping is free, but you'll have to check that.
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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  • raymeedc
    raymeedc Posts: 10
    edited March 2009
    Thanks for your help..... I just picked up the Cambridge. Sounds great and, as a bonus, looks great with my 70's silver faced components.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,236
    edited March 2009
    The Cambridge players are really nice. I have been Installing them for a few years now. Very impressive.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited March 2009
    Face/Mantis,
    Do you guys think the 740C is overkill for my system? At some point I'll probably upgrade my speakers, but it might not be for a while. I'm really curious about the upsampling, but I don't want spend the money if I won't hear the quality. Appreciate your thoughts.

    Raymeedc, Congrats on your upgrade!
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2009
    NewHTguy wrote: »
    Face/Mantis,
    Do you guys think the 740C is overkill for my system?
    Not at all.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • bigred7078
    bigred7078 Posts: 477
    edited March 2009
    Definately get the Cambridge
    Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 -> USP-1 -> RPA-1 -> Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited March 2009
    Before I started hanging out in these forums I did not understand the following relationship:
    Tax Refund = Audio System Upgrade
    Lol!
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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