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Cambridge Audio 740 cdp dying...suggested replacement?

My 10 year old Cambridge Audio 740 is having drawer and possibly laser issues for the 2nd time. Looking for suggestions on a new cdp. I have literally 1000s of cds so a player is definitely wanted/needed.( My Squeezebox touch is also aging so a combo might be ok). Pure player or transport is fine. Will be in a main system for now playing all kinds of music. New with known durability is good as no techs in Hawaii for all intents and purposes. $500-2000 range. Like Marantz though I was told by a dealer that only the cd8005 held up well. Heard a Rega Apollo last year, sounded nice. Beyond that no recent examples. Have a Sony ES sacd5400 in a second system which is best for sacds but also  no longer made. 
joekapahulu
brian27b
93 posts
 
Naim is another good choice. I think the model # is CD5s
mahler123
3,446 posts
 
If durability is the issue, avoid NAD.  Until a few months ago I would have recommended Oppo.  You might want to try the new Sony Universal Player, which goes for around $400.  At that price you could buy 2 and if one dies iafter 5 years or so roll out the second.  Their weak link is their DAC but you indicated that you only need a transport.  If anything happens to your Sony 5400 then you have a backup for that as well.
  Another option in your price range that is a bit non traditional is Bryston’s Optical Disc Player.  It is meant to burn discs to a HD but can also play CDs.
Bryston products are known for their durability and extended warranty protection 
mylogic
105 posts
 

OLD POST l KNOW but still relevant for someone in the same position. New Cambridge CXC CD player (or a second hand 752BD Universal player)

Find a Cambridge CXC transport and you will have an upgrade but will need a DAC or compatible amplifier. I have both a CXC and a Cambridge Audio 752BD (SACD/CD/DVD/Blu-ray) which l will keep for some time to come. Both would do the job of an old 740. The 752BD is a very capable CD player, has onboard DAC and the upscaling TV 4K is a plus for a Blu-ray player.

 

joekapahulu OP
255 posts
 

This popped up and I thought I would update for similar reasons as the other most recent input. I ended up with a Marantz  ND8006 which is a CDP and streamer combo that was priced well as a catalog photo shoot leftover at Audio Advisor. I still use it almost daily and it has worked pretty well in the 7 or so years I have had it. The CDP sound is quite good though a bit warmer than the old Cambridge with perhaps a little less detail. The streamer end of it is maybe a bit dated and I have been less happy with it becuse HEOS is not built into it and must be installed on an Android tablet which I had to buy to use it. HEOS has gotten better over the years but this setup is a bit clunky. But it has done the trick and I dont stream often so its less intrusive. With some hearing loss and tinnitus,  it works for my needs and where I am headed as I age. So be it. My Sony 5400 just powers along, still sounds great and plays my SACDs and CDs quite cleanly and with more detail and is one of the best things I have bought in the last 15 years. I wish Sony felt it advantageous to get back into more of an audio market presence. I have usually been happy with their stuff, especially when I could find ES versions.

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