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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
willmi OP
24 posts
 
Rbstehno

Classe CDP-10 seems to be over my budget. How would you describe classe's presentation and how does it rate compared to Naim CD5i, Rega Apollo and SimAudio Equinox ?

Mike
rbstehno
1,453 posts
 
the naim and rega sounded pretty dull to me compared to the cdp-10. i like a warm sound but with detail. i did listen to the simaudio eclipse when looking at the classe unit and i liked the classe better. i like simaudio equipment but prefer classe. the cdp-10 comes with hdcd capability and i have quite a few of these discs (jazz). also, i have an external dac that cost more than the cdp-10 and i prefer the sound coming straight from the cdp-10. the dac is used for other digital audio sources. the best bet would be for you to audition the different players with your equipment in your room to see which 1 you prefer. i will go out on a limb here and suggest the philips 963sa unit over the naim and apollo, it is that good especially at the price you can get them for. 5 channels, upsampling, sacd, dvd, etc... check out the hifi+ review on it a couple years back. they put in a couple thousand $$$ worth of modifications to it and at the end, they said just to add new feet and a power cord. if you can't afford the cdp-10 now, get a philips for the interim until you can get what you want. then move the philips to another room.
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
willmi OP
24 posts
 
Any feedback please ?

Mike
hieule5
115 posts
 
Mike,

I have listened to a Cambridge Audio 640 (amplifier/cd player) combo with a pair of Arro in a local Totem dealer. The bass is tight and clean. The midrange is quite revealing. Pretty good for a system that cost less than $2.5K (Arro speakers included)

# 1, I recommend to go with a quality solid state CDP first. Then save money for a decent sub like REL or TOTEM STORM.

# 2, Naim CD player is recommended to me by Vince at TOTEM and I just pass on the courtesy.

# 3, I think you want more bass, so see my answer on your # 2.

# 4, only you know the answer.

# 5, You have a tube amp which is already warm. Why need another tube CDP? The bass produced will not be that good as a good solid state CDP like the Naim/Rega.

# 6, I suggest Denon if you want a Japanese brand. Otherwise, my choice would be NAD, Rega, and NAIM (low fi budget, mid fi budget, and hi fi budget in that order)

The sub should be your last issue. I am a TOTEM/NAD guy myself and I own a pair of REL and a pair of TOTEM STORM.

Hope that helps.

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