[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference hips::uk_audioo

Title:	You get surface noise in real life too
Notice:	Let's be conformist
Moderator:	GOVT02::BARKER

Created:	Thu Jul 28 1988
Last Modified:	Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	550
Total number of notes:	3847

323.0. "Arcam Delta 70.3 CD Player" by EUROTP::STEPHEN () Fri Nov 22 1991 17:11

    
    After much listening, I've pretty well decided on the replacement
    components for my stolen system.  All I have to do now is restrain
    myself until the cheque from the Insurance company arrives !
    
    After a lot of listening, I'm down to a shortlist of
    
    Arcam Delta 70.3 CD Player
    Audiolab 8000P Power Amplifier
    Grow-your-own Passive preamp (thanks for the info Clive)
    
    I auditioned this system yesterday, mainly to check the effects 
    of the Passive preamp in place of the Audiolab 8000C.  The sound
    to my ears was improved after putting in my 10K pot on a piece
    of bread board, although the packaging could do with some work :-)
    
    Anyway, my major concern is the Arcam CD Player.  The shop also
    sells Meridian and to tempt me they hooked a 206B up to the Passive
    and power and it sounded even better.  However, I'd set 650 pounds 
    as the upper limit on the CD Player :-(
    
    Does anyone have any other ideas what CD players I should listen to 
    up to 650 pounds ?  I'm trying to find a Micromega dealer locally,
    but thats about the only other make I can think of in this price 
    range.
    
    Any thoughts ?
    
    Iain.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
323.1	for a few pounds less....	VOGON::NUTLEY		`Mon Nov 25 1991 10:16`	11
	Iain, Have you listened to some of the better �300-400 CD machines to see what they're capable of? Why spend �600 if you can get the same/better sound quality for half the price...I'm speaking from my own experience - Just thinking of your wallet! Incidentally I recently borrowed a Pioneer A-400 amplifer (don't sneer!) and was surprised to find that it noticeably bettered my Audiolab 8000A. Roy
323.2	Looked at a couple.	EUROTP::STEPHEN		`Mon Nov 25 1991 10:34`	14
	I had a listen to the Arcam Alpha CD Player. Its multibit rather than bitstream, and was quite impressive. The 70.3 sounded (to my ears) slightly better. I'm going to try and get a listen to the same set up with the Pioneer PD9700 sometime this week. I've looked and listened to the A400, but I didn't get on very well with the next stage in my purchase plan - Acoustic Energy AE-1's. Iain.
323.3	dealer	VOGON::NUTLEY		`Mon Nov 25 1991 10:53`	8
	I listened to the 8700 before opting for the Rotel 965, to my ears there wasn't much between them. Were the AE1's too much for the A-400? What dealer(s) are you using? Roy
323.4	... but I _like_ pops and scratches ...	FUTURS::WATSON	Rik Watson	`Mon Nov 25 1991 11:09`	11
	I like the Rotel (965 ?) its the �300 model (Not the �260 one) I've heard this sound pretty good, some would say as good as a Rega-3 ! I'll probably end up getting one round about christmas time, then add either the Roxan or Linn DAC's, then the transports. Rik PS The Linn Optik will be out by chrismas, dealer auditioning next week, price �2600 - oh well no excuse not to have a CD player now...
323.5	Rotel RCD 965	EUROTP::STEPHEN		`Mon Nov 25 1991 12:47`	24
	I'm using P&J Hifi in Guilford. So far, they've been very good. I've listened to quite a few combinations including one of their and one of my own passive preamps and so far they've been very patient with me. Mind you the AE-1's plus the matching stands are over a grand ! None of the shops that sell the audiolab amps have had the new Rotel 965 bitstream player in stock. Its the one player I'd really like to hear before I make my final choice. Neither the A400 or the Audiolab 8000A managed to drive the AE-1's with any authority. Acoustic Energy recommend at least the 8000P power amp and I tried that combination with a passive preamp and liked the sound. The 8000M monoblocks sounded even better, but my budget only extends to the 8000P. I won't be getting the cheque from the insurance company until the end of next week, so still have time to listen to some more gear before then. Iain.
323.6	What happened next...	CHEFS::STEPHENI		`Mon Jan 06 1992 11:16`	12
	Well, I went into the shop for a couple of hours on the Monday before Christmas and had a listen to the Rotel RCD 965 and the Arcam Alpha. I eventually chose the Rotel for a couple of reasons. It had a more detailed sound than the alpha and it was 100 pounds cheaper. The 100 pounds allowed my to upgrade the speaker cables and buy better interconnects. Iain.