Cambridge azur 640c Cd player

[acorn]

Hi all

Has any one heard this Cambridge 640c CD player if so what are your impressions of the sound quality and is it good value for money or would any one recommened any other Player for the same money.

Regards Acorn

[pre65]

Hi Acorn-i have one of the older models (500 SE ) and am very pleased with it,even more so with the Derek Shek DAC and switch mode power supply.
it was not well reviewed in the Hi-Fi press but was by private buyers.
one thing that was noted by private buyers was the poor quality of the standard power lead and that it took a long time to "run in".
As per usual its up to the individual to listen and decide,but my experience of previous purchases is that a brief listen in a shop demo room is often not the best way to decide.
it seems Cambridge equipment is generally good value for money.

Philip

[Global]

Hi Acorn

I had one and I absoultely hated it. I found it harsh, clinical and really nasty! I had disposed of an earlier 500se to buy this and deeply regretted it. It has been replaced with my much-modded Pioneer 575 which continues to suit my needs.

The 640 was so universally favourably reviewed that I did wonder if I had a bad un, but I couldn't pin my dissatisfaction down to any particular type of fault.

YMMV, IMHO etc.

Mark

[alnewall]

I had a 640c for a few days, i also had the price equivalent NAD and Marantz to try out. I was looking for a cheap player to use temporarily whilst saving for something better.

None of them really did anything for me. The Nad sounded sort of cold, i think sterile is the correct term, the Marantz was better but typically bright, and the 640c sounded in some waY unnatural as i remember(another What HiFi Best Buy). In fact i took the 640c back to the shop because it had a noisy transport. The replacement was fine but sounded just the same.

So i bought a DVD575 which comfortably trounces them all IMHO. I've still got it now and have no intention of changing it for a "proper" cd player just yet.

[acorn]

Thanks Lads

It looks like the pioneer wins hands down again.

Acorn

[pre65]

Hi-would i be right in saying that those of you who had a Cambridge 500s/e and replaced it with a DV-575 found it an "improvement" ?
seems impossible to get a new 575 now,unless anyone knows different !

Philip

[Global]

I came to the DV-575 via a Cambridge 640 and had already disposed of the 500se to buy the 640 (fool!). Auditory memory is not reliable so all I can really say is that I liked the 500se and the Pioneer, and I believe (but have not done A/B comparison) that the Pioneer is better than the 500se. I think that the 500se and the Pioneer both shared a lively, 'fun' quality of which the 640 had none!

Mark

[pre65]

Thanks Mark-i need to buy a DVD player so i am trying to find a 575 which will be a good CD player as well.

Philip

[acorn]

Hi Philip

Go for the 585 an upgrade of the 575, just bought one and damm good it is too, all though its a DVD player its the best CD player I have heard so far.

Regards Acorn

[Global]

I wonder how it compares to the 575! I am sure that Pioneer did not intend to create a hifi wunderkind but they managed. If the 585 shares the benefits, that would be good!

Mark