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Cambridge Audio CD Player Has Died

I have a Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD player that is roughly 15 years old. A year ago the left channel went dead & was subsequently repaired. However, yesterday the audio output completely died (no sound whatsoever). Although the unit has served me well, I am reluctant to continue to put more money into repairs of an older unit.

That being said, I have a question for those of you who have more expertise than I. Is there a discernible difference in sound quality between high-end CD players & those more moderately priced? Although I do have a high-quality audio system, I would prefer not to spend a lot of money on a new CD player unnecessarily.
Thank you so much.
Kit
kitjv
kitjv OP
69 posts
 
Thank you, tomcarr & jtcf, for the recommendations. 
kitjv OP
69 posts
 
I’m curious.....will adding a dac to a stand-alone player appreciably improve the audio quality?
tomcarr
1,504 posts
 
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I only added the Schiit Multi Modi to my Oppo 103 hoping to tame a slight bit of brightness I was hearing on some recordings that were a bit hot. Very pleased with the results, but it was a gamble that I was hoping would work, and it did. This time. YMMV, unfortunately, as always...

Tom
kitjv OP
69 posts
 
Thank you. 
kitjv OP
69 posts
 
Based upon your recommendations & some research, I am leaning toward the Cambridge Audio CXC transport & one of the Music Hall DACs. I would appreciate your thoughts on the Music Hall 15.2 & the 25.3. Reviews suggest that these DACs are "warmer" than many other DACs. Am I correct in assuming that the MH 25.3 is tubed & the MH 15.2 is not?
Of course, whichever transport & DAC is purchase, I want to be sure that it is well-matched to my existing 2-channel audio system. I am running my music sources through a Audio Research SP16 tubed preamp, a Bryston 14B SST power amp & Paradigm Sig 7 speakers.
Thank you for your input.
Kit


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