Cambridge Azur 740cCDP

[blackraven]

I'm pretty sure my wife ordered the Cambridge Azur 740c CDP for me for christmas. I had been looking at this player along with the 840c and the Marantz SA8001 SACDP. I guess my wife chose for me. I was leaning to the Marantz but I talked with the guys over at spearit sound and they felt that SACD is dying as Sony no longer supports it ( I dont know it thats true or not ). They also recommended the 740c over the 840c if you don't have balanced XLR inputs, thats where the real benefit of the 840c come into play. Any way, I'll post a review of the 740c when I get it and again after the break in period. Any one want to buy a modified Music Hall 25.2 CDP?

[Feanor]

I'm pretty sure my wife ordered the Cambridge Azur 740c CDP for me for christmas. I had been looking at this player along with the 840c and the Marantz SA8001 SACDP. I guess my wife chose for me. I was leaning to the Marantz but I talked with the guys over at spearit sound and they felt that SACD is dying as Sony no longer supports it ( I dont know it thats true or not ). They also recommended the 740c over the 840c if you don't have balanced XLR inputs, thats where the real benefit of the 840c come into play. Any way, I'll post a review of the 740c when I get it and again after the break in period. Any one want to buy a modified Music Hall 25.2 CDP?

Were I looking for a new CDP at this time, those two Cambrige and the Marantzy would be at the top of my list. Personallly I haven't written off SACD regardless of its apparent status with Sony; the catalogue continues to grow. Of course, the selection is heavily weighted to classical -- just right for me.

Nevertheless the 840c is especially attactive to me though it's the most expensive. This is largely because of the rave review it got in The Absolute Sound, but also the excellent features. In my case the balanced circuitry is very relevant since I have a fully balanced preamp and balanced monoblock power amps. It's great too that it can be used as a DAC fed by some other digital source.

[blackraven]

The 740c can also be used as a DAC.