Arcam decision

I am not familiar with the Arcam CD192. Perhaps you are referring to the FMJ-23 or FMJ-33?

As far as choosing between those options, you really should give them a listen and decide how much you value the incremental improvements between models. I have a CD-92, and decided to buy it because I thought it was substantially better than the CD-72, but not so much of a step-down from the FMJ that I would regret saving the few hundred bucks.

As a final note, you may want to consider buying the units off of Audiogon, as it will be substantially cheaper to buy from here than from whatever your current seller is. It seems as if you have a trusted seller and that you're willing to pay a bit of price premium to buy from him (or her). If that's the case, then I'm not going to advise you otherwise. BUT, I thought I might as well toss in my two cents.

Simply, buy the dearest! With Arcam, it's always worth getting the top models. I've owned Alpha 8, Alpha 9, and have extensive experience of CD23t. Each is better, significantly, than the one before. Bear in mind that the older Cd92 has the dCS ring dac in it, a very special component; the latest Cd192 has Wolfsons (4 per channel!) instead. Leave the 73 out of it and compare these two, in yr. own system. If you have to buy without audition, go for the newer 192; it's a cut-down FMJ 33, a player highly regarded everywhere (see Stereophile July 2004). But you must audition at home if at all possible. Matching is everything.

Here is what I think is good sound advice. Figure out what you are able to spend and buy a CD player that costs 150% of that amount. Source components are the single most important element of your audio system. Sure, you're gonna be in hock, but you'll be in heaven all the while....

Tom

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