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Major upgrade from Rega Apollo: Which one?

I want to upgrade from my Rega Apollo. Have narrowed my choices down to either a Cambridge 840C; a Sony XA 5400ES, and an Arcam CD-37. Looking to improve bass, eliminate midrange glare, get smoother, cleaner highs.

Have considered an Ayre CX-7emp2, but used ones are about $2500, and to upgrade a basic CX-7( Ayre's first offering) to its latest version costs $900.00. I welcome any suggestions.

NOTE: NOT INTERESTED IN COMPUTER AUDIO, OR BUYING $1000 PLUS DAC WHICH I HAVE BEEN INFORMED WILL offer LITTLE TO NO IMPROVEMENT in sound OVER THE APOLLO'S INBOARDed DAC.
sunnyjim
mountainsong's avatar
mountainsong
424 posts
 
I had seem the Hegel hd11 going used as low as $750,
Certainly with a comp based system and XLR connections via USB you will be not looking for upgrades in a while,
I had tried many combinations in he past few years.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Courant Thank you for the tip about the Meridian transport. Would you have possibly gotten as good if not better results with the Hegel HD-11?? Nevertheless, I assume you were referring to the Musical Fidelity VDAC II which is relatively inexpensive. Though MF encourages buying a better power supply from them.. The Panagea PS is just as good for half the price of the MF power supply. Will check it out.

BTW, I almost bought a Ayre CX-7e. The CX-7emp2 is the latest version and supposedly the best. Thanks
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,877 posts
 
The Rega Apollo Provided complete musical satisfaction.
Assuming the Saturn is at least as good (at 2.5 times price retail), what is an "epic" improvement in complete musical satisfaction?
Mr. Courant, please explain.
Perhaps you had a defective Saturn.
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,418 posts
 
I owned an Apollo and was looking for the same thing you are. I bought a Sim Audio 260D. It meets all of my expectations and is clearly better than the CD player I had before the Apollo, a Meridian 508.24 (this was a $4000 machine in itsday). The Sim also is better than the Apollo.
dsper
664 posts
 
Audio Space CDP8A. Had the Apollo in my system and the Audio Space is more musical. Allows a SS or Tubed output.

Mated with W4S and Maggie 3.6's.
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