New Cambridge 540 vs. Used Music Hall CD25


Considering picking up one of the close-out Cambridge 540C players from audioadvisor (the older model, not the new v2) for $275. Or, I have found the Music Hall CD25 for about $300 used (again, not the new 25.2 or 25.5 or whatever they call it). Curious to hear any opinions on which route I should go. Spend the little bit extra for a used, but higher-end, model? Play it safe with new? One thing I have noticed - I see all sorts of talk about mod'ing the Music Hall, but none with the Cambridge. Maybe Music Hall offers more options down the line?
Thanks!
Ben
benbrew
Chaknap

I bought the opamps for my CD25 from Sound Odyssey, who were a regular advertiser here on Audiogon but I don't find any of their ads at the moment. I put in AD8066 opamps, which came from Sound Odyssey mounted on very small adapter boards.

I think Parts Connexion also sells opamps, they advertise mods for the CD-25 and sell parts for DIY projects. You could probably email or call them about options. Underwood HiFi also does mods and might be able to advise you.

Here's a link to the Parts Connexion site. It's poorly designed and difficult to navigate but there are pictures on there of the CD-25 circuit board with the opamps identified. If you can't find them, let me know and I'll email you a picture I saved from my own installation.
http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalog/semiconductors.html

All that is required is that you lift the old opamps off the circuit board of the player by prying up the edge with a small flat-blade screwdriver and then lifting straight up. Putting the new opamps in just requires aligning the pins and pushing down. The only critical factor is to make sure the #1 pin on the board is in the same place as on the one you remove.
Hi, awhile back I had decided on a Music Hall CDP that is made by a Chinese Co named Shandling. Thru Agon I found out about the Onix-88 which is pretty much the same machine as the Music Hall. Very satisfied and saved a few bucks. I upgraded to OP Amp 627s. Well worth the $$. I installed them myself, very easy, although you have to be careful of the surrounding caps. And yes, the 627s required adaptors. Tweaks that are remaining are to replace the power cord and different ICs. Hope this helps. Dave
My apologies, I should have said big thanks to SFAR. Thats what I get for not reading the entire post.
I am waiting on my new Music Hall 25.2 cd. It is due to arrive this Monday, Oct 16. I will let you know what I think of it in about a week.

Also, A big thanks to chapnak for the link to Parts Connection. I for $15 dollars the op amp replacment is a no brainer.
So Kees, i know's its only been a few days, but how's the new Music Hall 25.2? I'm looking at getting one myself with the 627 opamp upgrade.