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CDP Repair or Replace? Seeking advice Please

Hi,
First, thank you for your kind response!
I own what may now be considered a vintage CDP, it is a Cambridge AZUR 840C which I primarily use as a DAC streaming TIDAL. I also have a SONY SCD-2000ES SACD player connected via COAX to it to play CD's. Well, the AZUR transport coughed up a furball and will not spin a disk, which sounded better than the Sony connection. I called a dealer and they said it would cost about $300 to repair it, I asked about (not that I have the coin) upgrading to the AZUR 851C and they were quite emphatic that my $ would be best spent repairing the 840C, they did not try to sell me anything else, again, just spend the $300. Question is, what would you do? Thanks!
grm
plutos
224 posts
 
Grm,

Cambridge AZUR 840C  is supposed to be a nice (mid-fi) player but if I was in your shoes, then I would probably sell it in ebay as defective and bought Denafrips ARES for $600 + $50 shipping.
You can use your Sony as a transport and have a real high-end DAC for cheap. I just bought one for my smart TV and it is just crazy what you will get for the money.
I don`t say that it is better than my reference player but it is way, way more than you will get from some $2000 to $5000 DAC/players. And yes I have owned quite a bit of digital from this price range plus some up to 20K.



georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
grm
Your  Cambridge AZUR 840C has a  Sanyo SF-P101N  laser/mech in it.
They cost under $10usd for the whole mech with laser, if you have just a little mechanical knowledge they take around 1/2hr to 1hr to install with no adjustments needed, $300usd is a ripoff, do it your self.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=Sanyo+SF-P101N&_sacat=0

Cheers George 
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Doesn't the 840 have digital inputs?  I love the sound from it.  Keep using the sony as a transport.  
grm OP
149 posts
 
Mr. George,
Thanks for the link! I think I will start by opening the unit and reseating connectors and looking for anything questionable.

Thanks to all for your help and suggestions!

grm
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I am confused if you are only using it as a DAC why bother with a new laser etc. ?. Unless that assembly has the DAC in it? Like many others have said there are many new DACs to choose from or just use the Sony for discs.
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