musical fidelity A3 CD player vs. Cambridge Audio 640 C

[mpact]

I am spending <$500 budget on a CD player. Mainly for 80-90s music Pop/Rock music CDs, recently I like LPCD too.

I looked around and like Cambridge Audio 640, NAD 525 BEE within the price range. Also got an offer of a used musical fidelity A3 CD player for $400.

What do you suggest? And which Amp should go with it? Thanks!

 

[jamie2112]

Have a look at this.These things sound amazing and play every type of disc.The only thing you are missing is BluRay.....dvd/cd player 2 for one and it sounds freaking great, http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/default.asp

 

[mpact]

Thanks jamie2112! Is Oppo good for CD? I was a little hestiated because I wanted a "pure" CD player at basement (no TV). However, DV-983H sounds good if it also plays SACD.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks jamie2112! Is Oppo good for CD? I was a little hestiated because I wanted a "pure" CD player at basement (no TV). However, DV-983H sounds good if it also plays SACD.

Yes, there is nothing wrong with the sound quality. No need to have a <$500 top end. You can get what you are looking for that Oppo price.
And, we won't say anything that you posted in the amp section.
Amps would depend on the speaker load, sensitivity and your listening levels.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Mmm... Wondering.

Are these Amps, Pre/Pros or Receivers?

Never heard of them yet. Are these recent models?

LOTR

* Or the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player.

 

[sharkman]

Another option in the cd player slot is the Onkyo DX 7555. It has Wolfson DACs with an s/n of 120. Amazon reviewers really love this unit, and it goes for just under 600 right now although I haven't looked around anywhere else.

 

[nibhaz]

As already mentioned the Oppo, is where it’s at.

It plays nearly every optical format, does DSD over HDMI, has solid performance, and all at a great price! What’s not to like?

 

[Lordoftherings]

As already mentioned the Oppo, is where it’s at.

It plays nearly every optical format, does DSD over HDMI, has solid performance, and all at a great price! What’s not to like?

Yeah, all these Oppos are great CD and SACD players.
Oppo 980, 981 and 983, plus the BDP-83 Blu-Ray player.
And also Pioneer DV-48AV and Pioneer Elite DV-58AV universal DVD players.

Bob

Note: How come you are considered a mentor, and I only had a small fan club?

 

[fast1]

Another option in the cd player slot is the Onkyo DX 7555. It has Wolfson DACs with an s/n of 120. Amazon reviewers really love this unit, and it goes for just under 600 right now although I haven't looked around anywhere else.

going for under 600 on amazon? thats quite alright

 

[mpact]

Thanks!
I will go with Oppo DV-980H Now back to the appropriate question (for this thread) - which Amp is good, if I use Oppo 980 with a pair of Paradigm Studio 20 v4 speakers?

Should I use a AV receiver (no TV in basement though), or better to buy an Integrated Stereo Amp?

I still have an old crappy JVC AV receiver, not sure if it is good to use. Please comment.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi mpact, (high impact, hi-ha...)

Well no TV, so no use for DVDs or Blu-Rays.

Are you into multichannel music? If so, a receiver with 5.1-channel will do just fine. And they are pretty cheap now, and much better than your JVC.

About a nice Marantz SR4002 or even an SR4001.

Would you eventually get full surround sound with a TV and more speakers, or do you want to stay definitely in 2-channel stereo?

And what is your budget?

Bob

Note: I bet you got a good price for that Oppo 980.

And by the way, these Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v4 are very sweet speakers.
They certainly deserve a nice integrated amp or receiver with good sound quality.

 

[mpact]

Thanks Lordoftherings.

I have around 1000 CAD budget for a CD player and Amp (receiver). If I am getting Oppo 980 (around $200 CAD), I have $800 remaining for Amp / receiver.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thanks Lordoftherings.

I have around 1000 CAD budget for a CD player and Amp (receiver). If I am getting Oppo 980 (around $200 CAD), I have $800 remaining for Amp / receiver.

Yes, but can you tell me if you want a 2-channel integrated amp (or stereo receiver with the tuner) or an A/V receiver with 5.1-channel (but most are 7.1-channel now)?

So, you see what I'm asking you. Right now you seem to have only these two nice Studio 20s. But will you add some more speakers eventually (I sure hope so with all these nice Music Concert Blu-Rays)? About a projector, or a nice 60" Plasma?
And is it only for your basement? What is your system in your Main floor?
Give some more information, and I will set you up very nicely.

* Good deal on the Oppo 980. For $200 cdn, I want one too. Where can I get one at that price?

 

[mpact]

Hi Lordoftherings.

I would need a 2-channel integrated amp. I guess basically I need to connect with Oppo 980 via Stereo Audio Cables?

Let me clarify my systems -
1). Living Room (Main Floor)
SHARPLC46D62U LCD, Denon AVR-698, Oppo BDP-83, Paradigm Cinema 110CT speakers, Rogers 8300HD
~ the problem is that AVR-698 does not process audio via HDMI, so I am now connecting Oppo BD-83 via Multi-channel Audio Cables (7+1 = 8).
~ Oppo BD83 does not sound too good on Music CD, because of my speakers? or I am just connected using 1 coaxial cable?


2). Basement (office room)
- basically need a good 2.0 music channel
Oppo 980 (pending to order - use as CD player only), Paradigm Studio 20 v 4
~ just wanted some good sounds for music CDs.
~ Although I wanted a Integrated Amp only, I don't mind to switch (i.e. move Denon AVR-698 down here and get a new A/V receiver for upstairs). Need expert advice

Thanks!

* I plan to order Oppo 980 from OnlyBestRated.com for $199.12

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Lordoftherings.

I would need a 2-channel integrated amp. I guess basically I need to connect with Oppo 980 via Stereo Audio Cables?

Let me clarify my systems -
1). Living Room
Rogers 8300HD, SHARPLC46D62U LCD, Denon AVR-698, Oppo BDP-83, Paradigm Cinema 110CT.

2). Basement (office room) - basically need a good 2.0 music channel
Oppo 980 (pending to order - use as CD player only), Paradigm Studio 20 v 4


* I ordered my Oppo 980 from OnlyBestRated.com for $199.12

Hi mpact,

That's too bad, because the Oppo 980 is a great mutichannel SACD player and output DSD bitstream from SACD discs directly (without downconverting to PCM) through it's HDMI output. But it's a good 2-channel CD and SACD player too, and for the price, you can't go wrong.
And yes, you'll have to use the analog stereo RCA jacks of the Oppo 980.

Now, for a nice stereo integrated amp, you can look at several of them.
The best deal that you can get is from the used market.
Check for something having about 40 watts per channel or so (from 40 to 100).
The brands to look for are Arcam, Rotel, Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer and NAD.
If you prefer to buy new (less problem, plus a warranty), look again at these same brands. Denon integrated amps are very good and will match nicely with your Studio 20s.
Yamaha integrated amps are also very good.
Marantz integrated amps will also mate very well with your Paradigms.
Rotel are excellent, I'm a big fan of Rotel amps, integrated amps and CD players. That will be my first choice. Your Studio 20s will love to be mate with a Rotel integrated amp.

And all of these choices can be found easily for less than $500.
I'm not sure exactly what their recent models are, but you can find them easily from their respective web sites, and then search for the best deals.

Rotel has one (the RA 02) that has a Phono input, is a 40 watts per channel and retails for $500. But you can find a street price much better than that.

* Rotel has another one (the RA-1060), that is a 60 watts per channel and retails for $700, but I bet you can found that one for less than $500 or so, maybe even less, because it is an older model, but purely excellent.
That's a very nice one that will be the perfect match with your Studio 20s.
It has a good high damping factor of 150 (good control of the drivers of your Studio 20s).
Low THD (Total harmonic Distorsion) of only 0.03%.
Good input overload level through it's line level inputs at 5V.
Lots of power for your Studio 20s, again with 60 watts per channel.
Rotel-made toroid transformer, tight-tolerance rectifiers, and the remarkable British-made Aerovox T-Network Capacitor for accurate dynamic signal tracking.
Remote control is included.
Remote speakers terminals (it has two pair of speakers).
Record selector, Source selector, headphone jack, contour control (bass/treble adjust) and a 12 volt "trigger" circuit.
It has six line-level inputs with independent Listen/Record selectors.
It is a very nice looking unit by it's simplicity, it's nice big volume control in the middle with a nice glowing red light around it.
It is an audiophile-oriented engineered, simplified operation, and a remarkably intuitive front panel design.
That Rotel RA-1060 will be definitely my first choice.
It performs, pure and simple.
You would happily live with it and not want for more.
Quite simply, that's how good this Rotel is.

Hope this help you with your choice,

Bob

 

[mpact]

Thanks a lot, Bob. Want a little bit more expert advice from you here.

Since I am spending $800~ anyway - Now I have Oppo BD-83 in living room with this crappy Denon AVR-698. IF you were me, is it better off to do this instead:

1. Move Denon 698 to basement room and hook up with Oppo 980 and Paradigm Studio 20 - since I listen to stereo music (80-90s pop/rock) 90% of the time. Then Buy a new A/V receiver for Oppo BD-83 in living room. This way I can play SACD, lossess audio (Blu-Ray) via HDMI - if my Paradigm speakers are good enough.

OR

2. I think (I guess) some good A/V receiver can hook up two sets of speakers separately. Forget about 980 and basement - buy a better A/V receiver and hook it with both Paradigm 5.1 and Studio 20. So I can select better speakers (i.e. Studio 20) for music. But then My AVR-689 (bought 2 months ago) will be no use. Maybe this is too dumb.....

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thanks a lot, Bob. Want a little bit more expert advice from you here.

Since I am spending $800~ anyway - Now I have Oppo BD-83 in living room with this crappy Denon AVR-698. IF you were me, is it better off to do this instead:

1. Move Denon 698 to basement room and hook up with Oppo 980 and Paradigm Studio 20 - since I listen to stereo music (80-90s pop/rock) 90% of the time. Then Buy a new A/V receiver for Oppo BD-83 in living room. This way I can play SACD, lossess audio (Blu-Ray) via HDMI - if my Paradigm speakers are good enough.

OR

2. I think (I guess) some good A/V receiver can hook up two sets of speakers separately. Forget about 980 and basement - buy a better A/V receiver and hook it with both Paradigm 5.1 and Studio 20. So I can select better speakers (i.e. Studio 20) for music. But then My AVR-689 (bought 2 months ago) will be no use. Maybe this is too dumb.....

I had that feeling that you will come to your senses and figure out something like this.

1. Great idea. And you can always switch your Paradigm Studio 20 v4 from the basement with the front pair of your paradigm set Cinema 110 CT of your main living room. That's what I'll do in a flash (a must in my book).
So the Denon 698 goes definitely in the basement room so as the Oppo 980 DVD Universal player.
And the front pair of your Paradigm Cinema 110 CT goes to the basement room as well. Basement room system solved.

2. "Since you have $800 to play with" for your main living room, and now that you have the Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v4 in your living room as the main front speakers, and that you also have the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-Ray Universal player, and a TV display; you can get a very nice A/V Receiver to complement your system and be the final touch (piece of the puzzle).
Now, for a nice A/V receiver (my speciality by the way), that will be the perfect antidote and an excellent match with your lovely and great sounding speakers (Studio 20 v4), don't look any further than the lovely looking and great sounding Marantz SR6003. It is a fabulous A/V receiver that you can get for only $700, at accessories4less I believe. I will double check for you.
But you know what too? Your wife will love that Marantz SR6003 as much as yourself. Not only both of you will be extremely pleased with that Marantz, but it will revitalize, rejuvenate and rejoice the love between your wife and you.
And with the $100 left over, take her out for a nice diner out of town, and with a nice bottle of wine, to celebrate life and your new Marantz.

Bob

 

[Lordoftherings]

Don't fret it just yet, it will come back.

Ok, it's Sold Out now. But I'm sure it will reappear, just keep an eye for it.
And also, look at other places too for around that same price.
I will also keep an eye open for you.

But anyway, here's the link:
-> http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6003/Marantz/SR6003-Dolby-TrueHD-/-dts-HD-Master-Audio-AV-Receiver/1.html

* << ALERT>> Only 3 left in stock here:
-> http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-SR6003-Audio-video-Receiver/dp/B001GZZCVK

And for more info about this magnificent piece, here:
-> http://us.marantz.com/Products/2515.asp

Bob

 

[Lordoftherings]

Mix of the digits.

I just realised that there is no Denon 698, it is the Denon AVR-689 that we're talking about here.

Just a small correction.

And if you purchase the Marantz SR6003, would you prefer to have a 2-channel integrated amp in the basement room? Because your 689 will be kind of useless with all those 7 channels.
And if you can get your money back for it (did you just purchased it not long ago, cause you have normally 30 days to return it for full money back).
And then you can get an integrated amp (stereo) for quite cheap (used one).

I think that it will be your best bet if you can do that.

In the end, you'll be winning on the two fronts (living room and basement room).

Just call the place where you purchased your 689 and ask them. How much did you pay for your Denon 689? Do the store where you bought it carry Denon stereo integrated amp? Do they have some good deals on used integrated amps? Other good brands perhaps? Rotel?

Bob

 

[mpact]

Thanks again Bob!

Will go ahead and order Marantz SR6003, so I guess 1 HDMI cable will do it for Blu-Ray/SACD!

I bought AVR-689 from Future Shop for $369 CAD, I don't have the original box (hmm..my kids ruined it). I will try to sell it and get a used Amp, or deducting the $100 from dinner with my wife