Cambridge Audio 840c DAC

I am currently using Apple lossless files with Sonos system with a direct digital coax into 840C. I have done many A/B comparisons and have only noticed difference between files with a lower rate 192khz. If you are happy with the 840c sound as a cd player you will be pleased at its ability as a stand alone DAC. With all the great reviews and versatility of this player its surprising more people are not taking advantage of this player as a dac. Have fun with the sonos its allowed me to listen too stuff that I hadnt dusted off in years.
Brad

I just hooked up the Wadia 170 Ipod dock to my 840C, and it sounds incredible. I am actually a bit shocked how good the Ipod sounds as a transport.

Don't know if you guys have already seen the articles, but I intentionally paired the Cambridge Azur 840C player with the Sonos Digital Music System for the express purposes which are being discussed here. The Cambrdidge review was published on Dagogo.com a short while back, and the Sonos review was just put up this month.

http://www.dagogo.com/CambridgeAzur840C.html

http://www.dagogo.com/SonosZonePlayer80.html

The Azur works will with a variety of sources. Cambridge's new DAC, though I have not heard, looks to be another good solution.

Thanks all; Douglas, do you prefer digital from the M24 as opposed to the 840C?

Best,

Kristian

Kristian, good question! I find the M24 a bit richer tonally, as might be expected a more "tube-like" sound considering it's a tube DAC! That is one reason I keep using it, to get the tube element in the digital chain.

Both are superb results; the Cambridge internal DAC is more like the classic SS sound, and the M24 puts a tube flavor to it.

I often send the upsampled digital output of the Azur into the M24. Very nice combo. Sonos is usually run through the M24.

For Redbook playback I teeter between the "Direct" output of the Azur and its "Upsampled" output; the former is more clean, but the latter is a touch more nuanced.

Tube lovers would likely enjoy the Monarcy; SS lovers will gravitate toward the Azur 840C's internal DAC.

Possibly a good "test" for those considering purchase:

If you think that tube sound in the bass is "tubby" and the entire presentation unrefined, then you will most likely enjoy the taut sounding treatment by the Azur's internal DAC.

If on the other hand you feel that SS in the bass is often clinical or thin, and the entire presentation lacks body or fullness, you'd most likely prefer the M24 pre/DAC's sound.

These characteristics hold true for Digital sources like Sonos.