Cambridge 840c Initial Impressions

[ldgibson76]

Well then, thanks

O'Shag, good input.

Don't mention it!

And that was a strong review "O'Shag" posted. Although, I do believe "Blackraven" did post that same article previously. Very convincing!

[ldgibson76]

Brent Burmester of Audioenz in New Zealand wrote this review of the 840c in comparson to the 740c..

" While the 740C is a great player, the 840C marks a step into the world of serious furrowed-brow hi-fi. Round the back from its aluminium-plate front panel are the signs that only the initiated need apply for ownership: balanced XLR output sockets, two digital signal inputs, so the player can act as a DAC for other digital devices; and an RS232 serial port for communication with high end multi-room audio controllers. But the real bling is advertised in small letters on the white dot-matrix display in the unassuming face-plate. Prior to converting CD's familiar 16-bit binary words sampled at 44kHz, the digital data is translating into 24-bit words sampled at 384kHz. That last number is worth reading again – not DVD's 96kHz, not even DVD-A's maximum of 192kHz, but a whacking great 384kHz!

You're not wrong if you protest that the 740C can do the same, as it and the 840C share Anagram Technologies' Adaptive Time Filtering asynchronous up-sampling algorithm and a 32-bit Black Fin digital signal processor from Analog Devices. However, if I may deploy an automotive metaphor, in the 840 the fancy engine gets the suspension, transmission, steering, and chassis tuning that ensures none of its power goes to waste. Whereas the 740C makes do with off-the-rack DACs from Wolfson, the flagship model uses Analog Devices' own 24-bit/384kHz DACs, capable of wringing the most out of the incoming upsampled signal. Magic pixie dust is sprinkled elsewhere in the circuitry as well, as testified by the eradication of capacitors in the signal path.

The sound of music
If all that made you want to hurt an engineer, put down your instruments of torture and consider this: the 840C may represent only a 5% gain in musical insight over its little brother, but that amounts to an extraordinarily involving experience once you're parked in front of your speakers. A few nights ago Mazzy Star played above me in the lounge while I was trying to work downstairs, but even from there I was distracted by the sense of space and depth in the sound the 840C conjures from humble CD.

Kula Shaker's new album, Strange Folk, turned out to be an excellent showcase for the 840C's talents, as it swings from folksy to rave, and in scale from cinematic to intimate. Instruments, whether played to death or with a delicate hand, had an almost exemplary tangibility. Crispian Mills' voice, and those of any number of backing singers, were simply arresting, and I should note that the album is far from an audiophile recording. Portishead's eponymous debut is likewise a bit of a sonic shambles, but, in view of the fact that they'll soon release a new album, I gave the disc a spin and was at once sucked deeper than ever before into the damp, oppressive, yet somehow alluring atmosphere the band evokes.

Perhaps the most telling evidence of the 840C's accomplishment is my inattentiveness to the usual things reviewers dwell on when evaluating a component. Bass extension, dynamism, resolution, neutrality, soundstaging, I'm pretty sure were all top-notch, because I had no occasion to think about them. It's really that good, and might be the best player I've heard under $5K. No, it is the best player I've heard under $5K.

I'm the Decider
Most equipment sent for review is pretty competent stuff, about which not much need be said. Every now and again, however, a component comes along that seems to have been made by people unaware of what might reasonably be expected of such a thing, so they happily exceed every reasonable expectation. The 840C is just such a something. If you're at the point in your hi-fi development where you need a player to help you understand what a performer means by their music, and those sort of players are never cheap, I'd advise starting your search here. If you can't afford more, just get one. "

I think this says a lot about the sort of player the 840c is....

O'Shag.

Very powerful stuff! Thanks for the input. You are the man!

[blackraven]

I read that review and one other comparing the 740c and 840c and those are what convinced me to buy the 840c. That article that you posted O'Shag, perfectly describes the difference between the 2 players without getting too technical.

I think that the 840c is a good match for Magnepans because the Maggies midrange is foward in presentation. It makes a good balance.

[O'Shag]

I've got to say it, I've been very intrigued by this player for several months now. I believe it must have something...special. Two players that knock me out every time I hear them are the Audio Research Reference CD7, and the Meridian 808 Reference. It makes me laugh when I hear folks claim that the $300 CD player will sound essentially the same as something like this. They clearly have never heard players like this in a good system. What I find intriguing about the 840c is that for a fraction of the price, it may have some, even most of the same magic as those two players - a rightness about the sound that can inject organicness and aliveness into a plain old CD.

[Ajani]

I've got to say it, I've been very intrigued by this player for several months now. I believe it must have something...special. Two players that knock me out every time I hear them are the Audio Research Reference CD7, and the Meridian 808 Reference. It makes me laugh when I hear folks claim that the $300 CD player will sound essentially the same as something like this. They clearly have never heard players like this in a good system. What I find intriguing about the 840c is that for a fraction of the price, it may have some, even most of the same magic as those two players - a rightness about the sound that can inject organicness and aliveness into a plain old CD.

I think that's the truth of the issue... Some people insist that all CD players sound the same... while other go right to the other extreme and think that anything under $3K must sound like rubbish...

The problem being that to really appreciate the differences between an inexpensive and an expensive CD player, you really need high quality Amplification and Speakers...

So what I believe happens is that an elitist tells someone with a low budget that the $300 player he wants to buy is rubbish, that he should spend at least $1K on a CD player.... so the person buys a $1K player, combines it with a $300 pair of speakers and a $250 Receiver and is totally dissapointed with the result.... He then starts to believe that all players sound the same...

Just my personal oppinion... but $300 players can sound just fine... not as a good as a $3K player... but the upgrade isn't worth it unless you have the requisite amplification and speakers...

[O'Shag]

I think that's the truth of the issue... Some people insist that all CD players sound the same... while other go right to the other extreme and think that anything under $3K must sound like rubbish...

The problem being that to really appreciate the differences between an inexpensive and an expensive CD player, you really need high quality Amplification and Speakers...

So what I believe happens is that an elitist tells someone with a low budget that the $300 player he wants to buy is rubbish, that he should spend at least $1K on a CD player.... so the person buys a $1K player, combines it with a $300 pair of speakers and a $250 Receiver and is totally dissapointed with the result.... He then starts to believe that all players sound the same...

Just my personal oppinion... but $300 players can sound just fine... not as a good as a $3K player... but the upgrade isn't worth it unless you have the requisite amplification and speakers...

Ajani - well, you have a good point in one respect. I've heard $300 players that sound ok. You can have ok sound for a low-ish price theres no denying. I would have to say though, that one immediately notices additional levels of refinement and 'real-ness' from a player such as the 840c, even with lower-priced speakers and at least reasonable amplification. This makes music more intelligle, more complete, and more flowing like the real thing. As the quality of amplification and speakers improves, no doubt the better player will demonstrate its capabilities even more.

I think recommending to someone that they could spend $1k on a CD player to get better sound, is realistic, but for myself, I am of the opinion one should always start with the preamp as the foundation, before investing heavily elsewhere.

With respect to a CD spinner, Its definitely possible to get a player that brings music to life for $800-$1000 given some of the low-priced Chinese players such as the Pacific Valve MHZ CD88E or Doge 6.

Theres been a lot said about the Oppo player for $200-$300. I bought one for my Fiancee. Tried it. For SACD its not bad, For CD, it sounds, well, just so so(contrary to the hype) in comparison to my own player, which is far from the most expensive of the breed. Like everything else there is definitely a point of diminishing returns. Of course, when you hear a player like the ARC Reference CD7, you realize immediately what all the fuss is about, because music just has a lot more impact, period. As for myself, I think SACD and high-res 96/24bit CD or DVD-A is inherently better than redbook CD.

[Mr Peabody]

O'Shag I wasn't going to say anything and just let you carry the torch for awhile but I couldn't stand it, I am so glad some one else understands the importance of a good source and the fact, like you said, you can enjoy a better source even with a reasonably good system.

[Ajani]

O'Shag I wasn't going to say anything and just let you carry the torch for awhile but I couldn't stand it, I am so glad some one else understands the importance of a good source and the fact, like you said, you can enjoy a better source even with a reasonably good system.

I hope you don't think that I disagree with you that a good source is ESSENTIAL....

I just feel that in terms of allocating funds, it's best to start with a pair of speakers you really love and then you can worry about upgrading your amp and then CD player to squeeze out the best performance out of your speakers....

For example:

Which system do you think would be more satisfying? (assuming the Amp is the same)

Option (1) $1,500 CD Player + $300 Speakers

Cambridge Audio 840C CD player + PSB Alpha B1, Paradigm Atom, Monitor Audio BR1 etc...

OR

Option (2) $300CD Player + $1,500 Speakers

Cambridge Audio 340C CD Player + Paradigm Studio 60 Speakers, PSB Image T65, Revel Concerta F12, Monitor Audio RS6 etc...


If I remember correctly, at one of the CES' a high end speaker manufacturer played their new ultra-expensive speaker on 'mystery' gear.... and having impressed the crowd and critics, pulled back the curtain to reveal a simple integrated amp and Apple ipod as the source.... (I'll have to look this up to confirm it)... Now I'm sure the speakers would have sounded even better with a high quality source.... but clearly it was still able to sound amazing with a very basic one.....

[Feanor]

I hope you don't think that I disagree with you that a good source is ESSENTIAL....

.....

Mr.Peabody is a primacy of source kind of guy. Others are speaker primacy people, (e.g. E-Stat). Others are simply "weakest link in the chain" or the variation, "most cost-effective upgrade" people such as yours truly.

Speakers are often the weakest link in the typical entry level system, but that is less often the case once you get to mid- or high-end systems. E.g. I recently recommended to blackraven that he upgade is amplication first before moving from Magneplanar 1.6's to 3.6's.

[blackraven]

If you ever happen to go visit the Magnepan factory here in Minnesota. In their lobby, they have a pair of MMG's connected to a proton receiver and a Sony Walkman CDP to show just how good the speakers sound with a cheap source. You can bring your own music and play it on the system.

[ldgibson76]

Mr.Peabody is a primacy of source kind of guy. Others are speaker primacy people, (e.g. E-Stat). Others are simply "weakest link in the chain" or the variation, "most cost-effective upgrade" people such as yours truly.

Speakers are often the weakest link in the typical entry level system, but that is less often the case once you get to mid- or high-end systems. E.g. I recently recommended to blackraven that he upgade is amplication first before moving from Magneplanar 1.6's to 3.6's.

O.K., this thread is really becoming interesting. I'm completely befuddled! I'm not sure what category I would fall into. I have to determine which route to take so I can elevate my system to the next level without exceeding that threshold of "diminishing returns". Here are my options:
A) Buy the CA 840C, (replacing the 640C v.2) and see if it's superior capabilities will suffice for an adequate upgrade to my system. Cost of upgrade:$1400.00

B) Buy a pre-owned high quality multi-channel (B&K/Sunfire/Parasound, etc...), keep the 640C and hope the amplification boost will bring some warmth along with power and clarity. Cost of amp: $1000-1500.00.

C) Buy a new speaker system (Pre-Owned B&W 804 HT Pkg or New Paradigm Studio 100 v.3 HT PKG), keep the 640C, and and continue to let the Marantz SR9300 do the amplification. Cost of Spkr pkg.: approx $4000.00

D) Purchase both 840C and hi-end pre-owned multi-channel amp. Cost: approx $2400-3000.00.

E) Buy the 840C and the one of the speaker pkgs. Cost: approx $5400.00

or

F) Just go for it and buy it all.....The 840C, the Multi-channel amp, and the speaker pkg.

Now obviously, this is the most expensive option and probably the best option, but to what point? Can I afford to do "F"? Yes, if I supplement with financing. I currently have $4000.00 to work with.

Suggestions please!!!!!

[Ajani]

O.K., this thread is really becoming interesting. I'm completely befuddled! I'm not sure what category I would fall into. I have to determine which route to take so I can elevate my system to the next level without exceeding that threshold of "diminishing returns". Here are my options:
A) Buy the CA 840C, (replacing the 640C v.2) and see if it's superior capabilities will suffice for an adequate upgrade to my system. Cost of upgrade:$1400.00

B) Buy a pre-owned high quality multi-channel (B&K/Sunfire/Parasound, etc...), keep the 640C and hope the amplification boost will bring some warmth along with power and clarity. Cost of amp: $1000-1500.00.

C) Buy a new speaker system (Pre-Owned B&W 804 HT Pkg or New Paradigm Studio 100 v.3 HT PKG), keep the 640C, and and continue to let the Marantz SR9300 do the amplification. Cost of Spkr pkg.: approx $4000.00

D) Purchase both 840C and hi-end pre-ownd multi-channel amp. Cost: approx $2400-3000.00.

or

F) Just go for it and buy it all.....The 840C, the Multi-channel amp, and the speaker pkg.

Now obviously, this is the most expensive option and probably the best option, but to what point? Can I afford to do "F"? Yes, if I supplement with financing. I currently have $4000.00 to work with.

Suggestions please!!!!!

My suggestion would be to start by auditioning as many complete HT setups in your price range you can find... then trying to rebuild your favourite one in your own home... starting with Speakers, then amplification, then Universal/CD player....

You really shouldn't rush and shell out all that money at once... as you may not be satisfied with the result....

[Feanor]

O.K., this thread is really becoming interesting. I'm completely befuddled! I'm not sure what category I would fall into. I have to determine which route to take so I can elevate my system to the next level without exceeding that threshold of "diminishing returns". Here are my options:
A) Buy the CA 840C, (replacing the 640C v.2) and see if it's superior capabilities will suffice for an adequate upgrade to my system. Cost of upgrade:$1400.00

B) Buy a pre-owned high quality multi-channel (B&K/Sunfire/Parasound, etc...), keep the 640C and hope the amplification boost will bring some warmth along with power and clarity. Cost of amp: $1000-1500.00.

C) Buy a new speaker system (Pre-Owned B&W 804 HT Pkg or New Paradigm Studio 100 v.3 HT PKG), keep the 640C, and and continue to let the Marantz SR9300 do the amplification. Cost of Spkr pkg.: approx $4000.00

D) Purchase both 840C and hi-end pre-ownd multi-channel amp. Cost: approx $2400-3000.00.

or

F) Just go for it and buy it all.....The 840C, the Multi-channel amp, and the speaker pkg.

Now obviously, this is the most expensive option and probably the best option, but to what point? Can I afford to do "F"? Yes, if I supplement with financing. I currently have $4000.00 to work with.

Suggestions please!!!!!

I find it a bit hard to advise about HT systems overall, but let me make a few comments. Also, I would never recommend that anyone go into hock to buy hi-fi equipment.

First, I doubt that an 840C CDP would be the most cost effective move in your case, even though it's not the most expensive upgrade. (For my stereo system, which is a different matter, the Cambridge or a DAC will likely be my next move.)

Were we talking 2 channel, I'd better say speakers would be your next move for sure, but 5 or 6 speakers is a different problem. A left+right+center-only upgrade is an option, IMO.

Still speaking of 2 channel, amplifier(s) would closely follow speakers. I like my Monarchy SM-70 Pro monoblocks a lot. Talk about warmth, clarity, and dynamics -- they've got it. Multichannel is another matter, although if you listen a lot to stereo you might very well consider such an upgrade -- no immedate need to upgrade the center and surronds. I'm not knocking the B&K, Sunfire, or Parasounds, but I'm skeptical that they are in the same league as the Monarchy.

[O'Shag]

Blackraven,

The Maggies are good indeed. However I'd have to raise my brow at the proton reciever and Sony walkman. How do you know they have not been modified? I can tell you for a fact that if you run the Maggies with, lets say an Audio Research SP6e preamp driving a pair of Mark Levinson No.27 amps being fed the signal from a Cambridge Audio 840C, there will be little resemblance between the two in terms of system performance and conveyance of the musical message. If there was a close resemblance, it would reflect that the Maggie is not transparent to the source (which I've not found to be the case). If the performance from the proton/walkman seems very impressive according to high-end standards, then they must be modified. By the way I lived in MN St Paul for amost 3 years..

[Mr Peabody]

Ajani, Feanor has my number, I would take the system with the $1,500.00 CD player and $300.00 speakers. I guess all of our goals are the same we just take different roads.

ldg, It's hard to stand in some one else's shoes for them. I believe the 840 will give you an immediate improvement. I don't see your receiver pushing a $4k set of B&W to their potential. "f" would be an option if you could try all your potential purchases together for synergy. Ajani has a point there, especially since you are planning to buy the amplification used. So here's my suggestion, buy the amp first since you are going to the used market. The CDP or speakers you can audition or buy with return options. So buy the amp as your cornerstone and build around it. The 840 will be available for awhile, plus you said they may offer a 2nd version. In your case I think this is the logical way to go about putting your system together.

[ldgibson76]

Hello Fellas!

By the way, here's what I current have:

The A/V System
A/V Receiver
Marantz SR9300 A/V Receiver -140w x 7 DTS; DTS ES; DTS Neo 6; DTS 24/96
THX; THX Surround EX; THX Ultra2; CS II; DPL II; HDCD.
Audio:
-Cambridge Audio Azur 640C v.2 CD Player w/ (24 Bit/192kHz Audio DAC)
-Denon DVD2910 Universal DVD/DVD-A/SACD Player (Dual 12 Bit/216MHz Video
DAC’s) HDMI w/Upscaling to 720P/1080i and HDCD compatibility
-Philips CDR 950 CD Recorder
-Yamaha CDC-685 5 Discs CD Changer
-DLO HomeDock iPod A/V Docking Station

Video:
-Motorola/Verizon QIP-6416 HD/DVR/Dual Tuner/Multi-room Cable Box w/ HDMI
-Sony DVPNC555ES 5 Disc DVD Changer (12 Bit/216 MHz Video DAC)
-Pioneer Elite DVR-7000 DVD Recorder (10 Bit/54 MHz Video DAC’s)
-Mitsubishi HS-U746 S-VHS VCR - (Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu ray Player) Has been purchased but not installed yet.
-Microsoft X-BOX Gaming System

Video Display:
-Samsung HP-S5053 50”Plasma HDTV Monitor w/HDMI & 1366 x 768p
-Belkin PureAV 3 in 1 HDMI v1.2 Switcher

Remote:
Universal Remote MX850 Aeros

Power and Protection:
Panamax M5400-PM Power Center/Conditioner/Surge Protector
Panamax MAX5100 Power Center/Conditioner/Surge Protector
Panamax Max 2 Coax Surge Protector
Monster Cable SW200 Surge Protector

Speaker Package:
-Klipsch Reference RF35 (Fronts) w/Monster Cable M1.4s Bi-wire Speaker Cable
-Klipsch Reference RC35 (Center) w/Monster Cable MCX-1 CC Speaker Cable
-Klipsch Reference RS35 (Surrounds) w/Pro Connect Pro-Flex 14 AWG Speaker wire
-Klipsch Reference RS25 (Rear Center) w/Pro Connect Pro-Flex 14 AWG Speaker wire
-Klipsch Reference RSW10 Powered Subwoofer
-Sennheiser HD535 Headphones

[blackraven]

I'd go for new speakers my self. I don't think you will like the sound of the 840c with the klipsch. It will be too bright. Just tonight my wife and I were listening to the Alan Parsons Project and it sounded too bright with the 840c so we swithced to the Musichall which has a much warmer sound and it sounded much better. There was less detail and transparency but the added warmth was needed since the CD is an old 80's CD. I tend to think that older rock music sounds better on my MH vs the 840 because recorded music from that era was very bright sounding.

I think upgrading your speakers will have greater impact on your sound then upgrading to an audiophile CDP and power amp. 140wpc should be able to drive those B&W's adequatelyand give you good sound. That Marantz receiver is no slouch. Will it sound as good as a Krell or CJ amp, no, but will it sound good, yes! Get the new speakers, see how things sound and then upgrade your CDP and amp.

[blackraven]

Hey, O'shag, The point of Magnepan using a Sony Walkman CDP and a proton receiver with their entry level MMG's was to show how good the MMG's can sound with a poor source being the Walkman. I don't know how you would modify a Sony Walkman the size of a large wallet.

[Ajani]

Mr.Peabody is a primacy of source kind of guy. Others are speaker primacy people, (e.g. E-Stat). Others are simply "weakest link in the chain" or the variation, "most cost-effective upgrade" people such as yours truly.

Speakers are often the weakest link in the typical entry level system, but that is less often the case once you get to mid- or high-end systems. E.g. I recently recommended to blackraven that he upgade is amplication first before moving from Magneplanar 1.6's to 3.6's.

I agree with that statement...

This is just my personal experience, but I found that for just about all the speaker brands I like.... at the $1K - $1.5K range (limited bass floorstanders to decent bass), in order to make really noticable improvement in the sound quality, I needed to jump from $1K to $3K or $1.5K to $4K.... essentially tripling the cost of the speaker... So at that point I could make cheaper improvements by upgrading from entry level integrated amps to mid-level integrateds or basic seperates....

I do agree with the weakest link approach to upgrade.... but I generally start system building with speakers, then amp, then source.....

[ldgibson76]

Hello Everyone! (Ajani, Blackraven, Feanor, Mr. Peabody and O'Shag)

To all that responded, thank you very much for the input. It's very interesting that the suggestions varied like they did, and all are worthy of consideration. It's nice to see and experience this type of interaction on this forum.
Now, what I've gathered from some of the responses is that the Klipsch speaker system has gotta go! No matter what amplifier I attach, it won't help them. I do believe that the speaker upgrade will have the most dramatic effect in sound quality, regardless of what I play or listen to. (It's a sad reality acknowledging that something you had so much faith in, happens to be the weak link in your investment. Don't laugh Mr. Peabody!). The multi-channel amp will follow and then the CDP upgrade. One thing I did not make apparent in my initial inquiry, was that I did not want to sacrifice my multi-channel capability. I do want to also have the dynamic surround sound movie experience I get with the Klipsch's. That's the one thing that they do well. That's why I believe that by adding a high quality amp to the new speaker pkg will insure that I continue to have that movie cinema effect. If I'm sounding like I've haven't learned anything from all of the suggestions given, please feel free to call me a "moron" and school me! You all have earned my respect.

"Feanor", I agree with you whole-heartily about going into hock on hi-fi equipment. But, I'm sure like all of us at one time or another in life, I suffer from the "I want it now!" syndrome. (smile)

To "Blackraven". I do agree with your accessment regarding the brightness the 840C would create with the Klipsch. I get that now with the 640C with various cd's. Especially with HDCD encoded CD's. I without pause must switch to analog. When I do that, it warms up a little. Still not to where it should be, but it's tolerable. I bet that the Marantz contributes to that perceived warming up also.
But when you have a HDCD encoded CD, wouldn't you want to experience the enhancement? When I go to analog and the receiver is in pure direct mode, the HDCD logo disappears and I guess at that time I'm experiencing the 640C's DAC's. So I guess the 840C will sound much better because of it's superior DAC's. Still, the Klipsch will most likely neutralize any improvements because of it's bright tendancies. Then again, some may like the sound the Klipsch creates. I've outgrown it. This stuff drives me nuts!
Time for me to go speaker hunting!

[Mr Peabody]

You might give a listen to Paradigm, they are a lively sound with out being offensive and still fairly sensitive.

I didn't realize you had Klipsch, you are probably on the right track.

[blackraven]

I'm not a big fan of multichannel audio for listening to music. When you go to a concert at a small venue there is no surround sound. The music is coming from a point source on the stage. However, I do like 2ch SACD. And the Marantz SA8001 SACDP would warm up your sound. But in the long run you would be better to upgrade your speakers.

[ldgibson76]

I'm not a big fan of multichannel audio for listening to music. When you go to a concert at a small venue there is no surround sound. The music is coming from a point source on the stage. However, I do like 2ch SACD. And the Marantz SA8001 SACDP would warm up your sound. But in the long run you would be better to upgrade your speakers.

"BR",

I did consider the Marantz SA8001, especially after reading your review comparing it to the 740C. According to the way you described the performance, it would seem that the SA8001 would possibly sound better with my Klipsch speakers. If I were to stay with the Klipsch pkg, then I would most likely opt for the Marantz. But, I plan on replacing these speakers as quickly as I can. After visiting the local B&W and Paradigm authorized retailers and listening to both products, It's still a toss up. Thanks again for the input.

[Ajani]

"BR",

I did consider the Marantz SA8001, especially after reading your review comparing it to the 740C. According to the way you described the performance, it would seem that the SA8001 would possibly sound better with my Klipsch speakers. If I were to stay with the Klipsch pkg, then I would most likely opt for the Marantz. But, I plan on replacing these speakers as quickly as I can. After visiting the local B&W and Paradigm authorized retailers and listening to both products, It's still a toss up. Thanks again for the input.

Actually, if I was purchasing either B&W or Paradigm, I'd probably opt for the Marantz over the Cambridge Audio...

Also, have you listened to any other brands of speakers?

[ldgibson76]

Actually, if I was purchasing either B&W or Paradigm, I'd probably opt for the Marantz over the Cambridge Audio...

Also, have you listened to any other brands of speakers?

As a matter of fact I have. The Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand's and the Focal JM Labs 826VB's

Mozarts sounded nice. They were connected to a Pioneer Elite Pioneer VSX-94TXH. That's the best the retailer could do. Good bass response and great imaging. The whole pkg not including the sub which would most likely be a REL or Velodyne....$5300.00

The Focals were nice also. They were connected to a Denon 4308. Not including the sub, $5100.00 The sub was $1000. And that was the lower model.

Here's the shame of it all. Only the Paradigm retailer gave me what I would consider "a close to my scenario" audition. Why? Well, they are an authorized Marantz dealer also and was kind enough to connected the Paradigm Studio 60 v.3's to a Marantz SR9600. And I have to say, I was really impressed, not only with the effort, but with the overall performance. In 2 channel, great imaging, and very impressive low end depth. The rep even re-routed amplification thru an external 5 channel amp (Anthem) and the system really came alive. I may go with the Paradigms just on the customer service given by the rep. Normally $4850.00, I was offered $4500.00 for the whole pkg, not including the sub. I would just use my Velodyne CHT12 until a later date.

The B&W's were definitely out of my comfort zone. If I were to choose the 804's, it would be from a previous owner. I may audition the 700 series this weekend.

Outside what I've auditioned so far, do you have another brand in mind?!