Arcam FMJ CD33T vs Cambridge Audio 840C

[Desbo]

Has anyone heard both of these CD players? What are the differences in the sound?

I'm looking paying about £750 for an ex-demo Arcam CD33 or a brand new CA 840C for the same price, to be paired with an Arcam A80 amp.

I hear the 840 is loaded with components that would normally be found in a much more expensive player, and the Arcam IS a much more expensive player, so which is best? Or is it a no brainer?

[Mr Pumpkinhead]

I compared (extensively) the old Cambridge Audio CD4SE (£200) and a CD33 both going through an A80 . The CD4 was surprisingly close in performance. I would expect the CA 840C to be in the same performance area as the CD4 but not out do the CD33.

The best (and usual) advice is to demo them both.

If you can’t demo them and the CD33 is mint condition and comes with the 5 year guarantee I’d go for that anyway.

[Ed Selley]

Originally Posted by Mr Pumpkinhead

I compared (extensively) the old Cambridge Audio CD4SE (£200) and a CD33 both going through an A80 . The CD4 was surprisingly close in performance. I would expect the CA 840C to be in the same performance area as the CD4 but not out do the CD33.

An 840C will take a CD4SE and tear it to bits which given it is over three times the price is only to be expected. With regards to its performance against the Arcam it will come down to what presentational style you prefer and your other equipment. If you have a balanced input on your amp and have other digital sources, the 840C might make a case for itself as can act as a DAC for other units and is full balanced.

[Falp]

Ed Selley,

Can the CA 840c or 740C read MP3 / WMA?

[Adam Shaw]

Ed is in traffic, but from here I can hear him shouting 'Nooooooo'

You can feed your other inputs into them digitally to be upsampled however.

[Knyght_byte]

Originally Posted by Adam Shaw

Ed is in traffic, but from here I can hear him shouting 'Nooooooo'