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Cambridge Audio 840C

I'm looking for a near-reference audio-only balanced CD Player. I briefly listened to the 840C in a store demo. and it sounded very good, but unfortunately I couldn't compare it to anything. Has anyone had a chance to compare the 840C to a good balanced CD Player such as the Esoteric SA-60 or SA-10, Ayre C-5xe or CX-7 or Krell SACD Standard?
sunset_ranch
rolloff
130 posts
 
I find I am once again guilty of tired brain = confusing post syndrome.
My note above should have read:
I started with UNBALANCED cables that were well broken in, and then my balanced cables arrived that I'd ordered specifically for the "improved sound" that RH discussed.
It makes no sense to have said I started with balanced cables and then switched to balanced cables...
It's late in the day once again, hopefully this post has made sense.
Maybe I'll try some new feet?

Rolloff
kiwi_1282001
312 posts
 
10-05-07: Mdconnelly
While the Wadia may have an edge on the 3D thing, I have to agree with Smargo about the 840c's musicality. You won't be disappointed by the 840c... and you'd have to get a bit anal when comparing to the more far more expensive competition to hear the differences. Give it a listen - you won't be disappointed. It's far better than anything in its price range that I've heard.

What was your final conclusion on the Cambridge Audio 840C vs. The Wadia 830?
darrens
9 posts
 
Does it matter? He doesn't even own the 840c anymore.. :(
audiobb
103 posts
 
Has anyone compared CA 840C with Cary 306 or 306/200 or Wadia 850?
mdconnelly
133 posts
 
Darrens, it all matters *g*

Kiwi, there is a post here somewhere where I did compare the CA 840c against the GNSC modded Wadia 830. The Wadia came out on top with better dimension, depth and definition in voices and instruments -- but we're talking about Wadia and Great Northern Sound. That should hardly be a surprise. Ultimately, however, I did decide to sell the Wadia in favor of the 840c because I was looking for a transport to use with my modded Tact 2.0s. The Wadia did not have digital outs and running the Wadia analog outs into the AtoD converter in the Tact and then the Tact DAC out to the amp just lost too much in the translation.

As Darrens noted, I have since sold the 840c because I had an opportunity to try an Oracle CD1000 transport over the holidays that I just fell in love with. Please note that it's MLP is 3 times that of the 840c. The Oracle is definitely staying put for a long time.

I still believe the 840c is an exceptional CDP and punches way out of it's price range. Definitely worth a listen no matter what price range you're looking in.
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