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Next Upgrade to My Totem Arros Setup - Need Help

Hi,

I need your expert help in upgrading my stereo set-up. I like my current set-up immensely.

My System: Totem Arros, Primaluna Prologue 2, Signal Cable, Hero Inter Connects, old Sony DVD/CD Player.

My upgrade plan is to add a CD Player & Sub-Woofer.

CD Player Options: Rega Appollo, Naim CD5i, CA Azur 840C, Cairn fog V2 (not easily available), Simaudio Moon Equinox , Sony dvp-ns999es, any good tubed CDP (All Pre-Owned)

Sub-Woofer Options: REL Strata III, REL Storm III

So I need your help for the following questions:

1. Which change will make more positive impact on the sound system....CDP or Sub ? ( I will go with the second upgrade few months down the lane ).

2. If CDP needs to be upgraded, what would you recommend between Naim, Rega, CA, Cairn Fog, sim and tubed cdps for my system (primaluna 2 and Arros) ? I like warm organic music with excellent vocals, instruments and strings with good BASS. Just want to remind again that I am using tube integrated (primaluna 2) for getting the warm preso and planning to add REL Sub for the quality BASS.

3. Since I already have a tube integrated in the line, should I be looking for a CDP that delivers excellent PRaT and Bass like Nait CD5i / Simaudio (or) more warm presentation of Rega (or) more warmer tubed cd players?

4. I read great reviews of 840C and it was being compared to Naim CD5i. I would like to know the system harmony of CA 840C with Primaluna 2 and Totem Arros for my music ?

5. Since I would like to add more Quality BASS (using REL), which of these CDPs make more sense ?

6. How does a modestly priced Sony dvp-ns999es (pre-owned) compete with the likes of Naim, Sim, Rega, etc ?

I will be eagerly awaiting your feedback for improving my 2 channel system. Thanking you all in advance

Mike
willmi
rbstehno
1,498 posts
 
i used the sony as a 1 player that did all in my setup but i used an external tube dac for cd. the sony is very good at sacd and dvd/video, but its cd playback is on the cool side. even when i auditioned the 777 and sacd-1, i didn't like the cool side cd playback, even with playing with the filters. the philips 963sa has a much better cd output. hifi+ did a big article on this a couple of years ago. as for the classe cd player, i liked it much better over the naim units i auditioned and the apollo unit, didn't look at the ca 840c. this classe unit was rated very favorable in all the reviews and i still prefer it to the new classe players. i used to own the cdp 1.5 classe unit, but the cdp-10 is better than that 1. since it is a fully balanced player, along with my other balanced classe pieces, using balanced interconnects is a plus.
i will be setting up another alternative to using a cd player in my audio room and that is using a central music server. i currently have a whole house music server setup for everywhere but my dedicated audio room. i use an apple computer along with airport express units, then i have anti-jitter devices hooked up to the airport express units, then the signal goes to an external dac. the manley dac i will be using in m audio room cost as much as the cd player and sounds fantastic.
willmi OP
24 posts
 
Any comments from owners of Naim CD5i, Rega Apollo, Cairn Fog and CA Azur 840C would be very helpful.

Thanks
Mike
lamcam
76 posts
 
I don't have the Arros but I have the Sttafs. They are perfect with my Naim system.
willmi OP
24 posts
 
Lamcam,

Do you mind giving the details of your system ?

If you are using Naim CD5i, how is the bass and timing from CD5i ? I read somewhere saying that Naim CD5i does not have very good control of the bass and also top end may be tipped up. Can you wiegh in your observations ?

Thanks
Mike
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Naim and Totem go very well together. But that doesn't mean that a CD5i will pair up well with your PrimaLuna. Also keep in mind that the Arros are a very difficult speaker to drive. I don't think adding a sub will make them much easier to drive. That doesn't mean they won't sound better with a sub though.

The best way to tell which CD player will work the best is to demo them with your system, or find a dealer who has a similar system.

Honestly, all the CD players you mentioned are very good. Everyone will have their preferences, and that's what really seperates most of them. The SimAudio Equinox SE that was mentioned is the best of the bunch. Keep in mind it also initially sold for twice what the others sold for. IMO it'll probably fit the best in your system as well. Its got everything the others do, and probably has the least sonic signature, which makes it easier to fit into more systems. Just my opinions though.

Also, the new CD5i (italic i) is significantly better than the old CD5i, which was very good as well. The bass in the old version was slightly uncontrolled, but not much. I don't think the highs were tipped up; I think its leading edges were a little sharp, which made it seem brighter. The new CD5i addressed these issues pretty well IMO. It sounds more like a CD5x than the old CD5i if that's any indication.

JR
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