Legacy Focus HDs

Doug,

You reviewed the Cambridge Audio 840c. Have you tried it with the Focus HD speakers? If yes, how did it sound?

Steve

Yes, Steve, I did spend extensive time with the combo of the Cambridge 840C and the Focus HD speakers. They are wonderful components together. The Azur is an excellent player at the price, and the Focus HD an excellent speaker at the price - and yes, they do meld together quite, well... nicely!

Considering that personal tastes vary, I found them to be highly compatible, and would not hesitate to recommend them to be used together. Via amp and cable selections I think a vast majority of people purchasing those two would be able to assemble an immensely satisfying rig. I especially appreciate the "Digital In" feature so much that I purchased a second 840C for use at my office. Both of these proudcts are packed with value for the audiophile, and they both perform very well.

I have been experimenting with the use of Digital cables as ICs in order to add warmth to Redbook playback. I have more testing to conduct with different digital cables to determine if the added "warmth" is an artifact common to all digital cables or if it is only with the Wire World Gold Starlight that I am getting such a pleasing sound. I didn't find the Cambridge treble to be harsh or etched, but use of the Gold Starlight digital cables as ICs has improved many components' sound by adding a wonderful golden glow much like a fine tube amp. I found it was especially helpful with putting a touch of warmth in Class D amps' performance.

I would enjoy discussion of this if people have two identical digital cables and would care to comment on how they impact the sound when used as ICs.

I am fully aware of the "inappropriateness" of using digital cables as ICs, but I like experimenting and once in a while an amazingly good sound will result. In some set ups I have enjoyed the digital cables over even balanced ICs.

Anyway, I highly recommend both the Azur 840C and the Legacy Audio Focus HD as highly affordable products with excellent performance. If you are considering purchasing either I suggest you read the reviews of them so as to be familiarized with their idiosyncrasies and virtues.

Doug, I ordered the Cambride Audio 840C. It replaces my Rotel RCD-1072, which was considred a great player when it was introduced in 2003 (and still is). I only hope the 840C will stand the test of time like the Rotel did.

Steve

The 840C is a very good unit, and I hope you will enjoy.
I have very much enjoyed having the "Digital In" function as I can stream audio to the player's DAC. This is, imho, what will save cdp's from the scrap heap - at least for the next few years. Eventually, my guess is that any player which does not have that feature will find little accommodation among the audiophile community. I'm seeing more players with that function, so that's a good sign. I use Sonos currently and I find the sound to be very respectable when fed into the Digital Input of a cdp's DAC.

I have Sonos and the 840C set up both at the office and the listening room (to be clear, the 840C is not the primary/reference cdp in the listening room; it is my "budget reference" player), and I have an Azur 840C both for Redbook playback and Sonos signal treatment at the office. It's a very enjoyable arrangement.

I didn't receive my 840C because the dealer got busted for selling them at too low a price. Cambridge Audio wont ship any more units to him.

I own the Rotel RCD 1072 and it's quite a machine for the money. They are introducing a replacement next month for $995 and Rotel has a reputation as an over achiever with cd players. Is it possible that Rotel armed with more current technology, could introduce a cd player that would be equal or better than the 840C?