[mitchmtl]

Hi from Montreal,

I get a kick seeing everyone quote prices (in pounds) and then sadly have to mentally convert to Canadian dollars (approx 2.5). Oh well....

I am looking to buy some new gear and would love some feedback. I have searched the forums and found some great info and insight already.

I am looking at the Cambridge Audio Azur series (receiver and dvd player) and was wondering about the major differences between the 540D player and the Cambridge Audio DVD89?

I was also looking at a NAD setup (753 receiver and 534 dvd) which was approx. $500 CAD (approx 200 pounds) more than the Cambridge Audio setup. I went in quite interested in the NAD but after an hour of listening and watching, I was not convinced that the difference in price would be worth it (may use the diff. upgrade centre and surrounds...)

Thanks in advance

Mitch

I've got a DVD89 hooked up to a 540R and the perofrmance is great. The player upscales nicely (520p, 760p, 1080i) over hdmi, component and hdmi image quality is first class, but hdmi is slightly better than component imho. the dvd89 plays absolutely everything I've thrown at it, looks good, has no glitches that I'm aware of, and looks nice as well.
The 540r works very well with the dvd89 (as it should, its the same manufacturer) plenty of power, loads of options and inputs, very nice sound and as far as I can tell, reliable.

[mitchmtl]

Thanks for the feedback. As usual nothing is clear in hifi, I have some dealers telling me that the DVD89 replaces the 540 and others telling me the opposite.

How do you find the 89 when it comes to just listening to music?

Mitch

[Markie Boy]

The DV89 doesnt replace the 540D, the 540D is superior in the audio stakes, but the 89 is more flexible from a connectivity/playback point of view. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. If youre gonna be using your DVD player as your CD player, the 540D is the one to get. If you already have a CD player, grab the DV89.

[mitchmtl]

Thanks. I managed to contact the North American distributor (who happens to be located in the Montreal area) and they told me that the 540D is being discontinued. I may still be able to get one but now I am thinking about the added flexibility of the 89. I only have a 27" Sony for now which won't be upgraded for another few years so HDMI or DVI is not an issue right now

I recently had my Nakamichi CDP2A CD player (about 18 years old!) brought back to life and maybe I will start using it as my CD player in the system along with the 89.

Too many choices, options etc.... As soon as I get myself convinced about one setup or another, someone at another store or another buddy throws something else into the mix! I am going to see some more gear this week-end in Toronto with a friend (who has a killer Bryston-Magneplanar setup). One way or another by Monday noon I will have bought something.

Thanks for the feedaback.

Mitch

[fatelvis]

If you don't need matchy-match and you already have a good CD player, don't bother with the CD DVD89. Just get the Oppo for $149 and be done with it. Same thing in a (much) less desireable looking package.

I can confirm, however, that the 540D is a nice sounding "all in one". And analogs *are* important for DVD-A disks. Seems like the non-Azur series is Cambridge's mainsteam line with keeps them in nice running with the majors.

Though I'd assume they would have an updated Azur DVD model on the way? Or is Azur to become audio-only?

[fatelvis]

Originally Posted by fatelvis

If you don't need matchy-match and you already have a good CD player, don't bother with the CD DVD89. Just get the Oppo for $149 and be done with it. Same thing in a (much) less desireable looking package.

I can confirm, however, that the 540D is a nice sounding "all in one". And analogs *are* important for DVD-A disks. Seems like the non-Azur series is Cambridge's mainsteam line with keeps them in nice running with the majors.

Though I'd assume they would have an updated Azur DVD model on the way? Or is Azur to become audio-only?

Follow-up to myself...

Just tried the DVD89 and it's fine for analog out, especially when paired with the 540R. I could not tell a difference between it and the 540D. The only think that bothers me is that the blue display doesn't match the 540R's!

[mitchmtl]

Here is an update,

I purchased the 540R and DVD89 and am quite happy with the results. The money I saved compared to buying the NAD went to upgrading my centre channel to the B&W LCR600 which better matches my current mains - B&W 2004. They are also in need of updating but that will have to wait until next year (looking at the B&W 603S3 among others).

I am very happy with the sound quality of the receiver and dvd player and am having fun with some of the multi-channel SACD material I have managed to find. Diana Krall's The girl in the Other Room regular cd sounded incredible - the SACD version both multi and 2 channel sounds simply magnificent. The DVD of her concert in paris also sounds fantastic in both Dolby 5.1 and DTS (I am trying hard to hear any distinction between the two. I really like the Dolby but sometimes I think I hear a more dynamic sound with the DTS. )

I have noticed some functionality issues from time to time but I knew this coming in and was prepared to sacrifice some functionality for what I heard as a better overall sound. My dealer was good about me auditioning both setups on a variety of speakers best approximating my room.

I had looked at the OPPO following some of the suggestions I had seen on the forum but the shipping, taxes and US exchange (though reduced lately) brought the price up to not that much less than what I managed to get the DVD89 for.

Setup for both units is easy enough although I agree with most people that the manuals leave something to be desired (esp. the DVD). Nothing crucial, just would like some clarifications on some things in the detailed setup. I will try contacting CA to see how they respond.

So overall I am quite satisfied. Thanks for the feedback!

Mitch