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Cambridge Audio CXC Series 2

 Cambridge has come out with the Series 2 CXC transport. Based upon a conversation I had with a dealer the only differences between it and the original model are a new faceplate and finish; there's no technology change.  Cost bumps up $150 for the cosmetics. If you have plans on buying the CXC the original version is on sale as I guess stock needs to be moved out.
facten
itzhak1969
515 posts
 
I have the original CXC and it is excellent value for money. The sound is not good as my Simaudio 260T transport which is in a completely different league , However the price difference is not small cost more than triple than the CXC .I am keeping it as a backup if something get wrong with my Simaudio transport also the CXC is so good and reliable so couldn't let it go and sell it . If your budget is limited it’s a bargain.
kacomess
199 posts
 
I just purchased the V2 of this transport, so I’m reviving an old thread.
In brief, my NAD CD player (about 8 years old) stopped reading discs: "Disc Error" messages persisted. I cleaned the lens with a commercial product to no avail. I waited and waited and waited for the fabled Schiit unit but gave up.

A visit to the local audio shop ("Stereotypes" in Portland, OR: very helpful and accommodating, offering in-home trials of just about anything) narrowed it to the Cambridge (~$550) vs. the Moon by Simaudio (~$2000) transports to use with my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, LRS, Classé DR-9 and etc., I wasn’t able to justify the cost difference. In part, that’s because my CD library (maybe ~500 discs) wasn’t sufficiently expansive and - at least with my modest system - the possibly improved audio quality didn’t justify the cost difference. I don’t have the patience to load all my discs into a hard drive unit, so I decided a modestly priced transport would serve my needs.

As for the transport itself, it’s very well built and it sounds perfectly fine to me. It's significantly better than the old NAD. Overall, it’s comparable to Tidal streamed and a bit less satisfying than analog (VPI HW-19, Mørch UP-4 arm, Sumiko BP#2). Given the proximity to a first class record store ("Music Millenium") with its huge selection of cheap CDs, this should be a good long-term arrangement for me.

jl35
3,938 posts
 
always enjoyed my CXC's...v1 and v2 are internally identical...I had transport problems with both Simaudio CD Players I owned...
kacomess
199 posts
 
jl35,
Thanks for that news. I was sorely tempted to buy the Simaudio CD unit because (supposedly) the company has a 10 year stock of drives and ancillary stuff in stock and the warranty (3 years) was longer than the Cambridge. I've never worn out a turntable, but I've been through 3 failed CD players that can't be fixed. When I listened, the cost:benefit didn't work out in my case for the higher priced unit.
jafant
18,871 posts
 
jl35

How was Simaudio's customer service on those cd transports ?

Happy Listening!
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