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Best Cd Player under $4000?

My system is the following:Cambridge Azur 840C cd player, Pathos Classic One MKIII,Focal Chorus 826V speakers,Running Spring Audio(Haley) line conditioner,Cardas Golden Reference AC cords and Kubala Sosna Emotion balanced inter. and speaker cables.My system sounds a little bit on the lean side and could have a better soundstage.
I mostly listen to instrumental jazz and acoustic music (piano,guitar),trios/quartets.I'm in the process of upgrading my cd player.

Esoteric SA-10,Bryston BCD-1,AMR CD777,any other ?
128x128erasto
valleyplastic
149 posts
 
I third Jaybo and Audio Revelation. I can't recall which model of Focals I had as they only lasted a week or so in my set up. Lean & mean is a understatement. No control on high end.
I moved mine to many times to try and correct this. The last move was out the door.
drdennis
165 posts
 
Listen to the PrimaLuna Prologue 8. I would describe it's sound as warm, with a huge soundstage.
Must have second upgrade circuit board, and it really benefits from tweaks and tube rolling. I'm using a Cardas Golden Reference PC, Hi Fi Tuning Fuse and Black Diamond Racing isolation. Read the Stereophile review from about eighteen months ago.
hens
173 posts
 
I fourth upgrading the speakers rather than the source although I agree that the Cambridge can be a tad bright in a lean system. I've never been a fan of the Chorus line which were just not well enough balanced for my liking - a bit too much treble energy IMHO.

If you are absolutely fixed on upgrading the source, then I think you could look for something with a different sound signature to the Cambridge. You definitely don't need to throw 4k at it - have a listen to some of the tube output players around. Musical Fidelity A5 is a very smooth listen as is the Cayin CDT-17A. For non-tube players, the Marantz line (SA11 or SA15 models) are also more lush in presentation style than the Cambridge.
jrinkerptdnet
430 posts
 
I don't think Jaybo was recommending he CHANGE he speakers but change his speaker placement to ameliorate the leanness.
He can correct me if I am wrong. Never hurts to play around with speaker location if you perceive something amiss with your system ... definitely a free tweak!

Jeff
bssk
22 posts
 
The Cambridge Audio 840c CD player is very sensitive to cables. With the right cables and a matching (pre)amplifier, the 840c is not thin sounding. Meridian G 08.2 CD Player is a good upgrade if you really want to upgrade the CD player. Based on various reviews, the Focal Chorus 800 series speakers usually sound a bit thin. I would recommend the following:

(1) Upgrade interconnects and speaker cables
(2) Try tube rolling
(3) Upgrade the speakers
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