Rega or Arcam

I don't have a definitive answer for your question. But, I can add confusion to the issue, as you should add the Cambridge Audio 840C vII into the mix of British cdp's. I used to own the Arcam CD36 and have demoed the CA 640C and the Rega Apollo, and, more recently, the slightly higher priced CA 840C. I definitely preferrred the Cambridge Audio Azur 840C over the Arcam player. Don't purchase it ust because you can get a better price on a used one. It was overpriced out of the box, when new.

The Apollo sounds very nice (and I would choose it over the Arcam), but the use of the new Anagram Technologies upsampling technology in the CA Azur 840C, along with the digital input to utilize the internal DAC's of the CA for your itunes or some harddrive based music server make the extra few $$'s over the Rega well worth the price.

So, I would choose the Rega at your price point, but I would definitely give the CA 840C a try, if you have the choice of spending another $300 or $400, as, imo, it is really more future proofed than the Rega Apollo. I would have purchased the 840C myself, if I did not find and opt for a diffferent much higher priced cdp that has become my "holy grail".

Good luck. Listen, demo and make your final choice based upon your own personal preferences.

I went thru this exercise last summer.

I was interested in the Cambridge 840C. I had heard it in a shop that also had NAD, Rotel and Sherwood Newcastle units to compare to.

I was fortunate to be able to hear the Arcam + Rega + Cambridge in another shop using the same YBA preamp/amp combo. On direct comparisons, I preferred the Rega Apollo followed closely by the Arcam CD73. I was very disappointed in the Cambridge unit. The differences to the Rega and Arcam were very apparent - especially on the female voices and on classical pieces that had percussion and low bass at the same time.

In the end, I opted for the Arcam for 2 reasons:
1) Upgradable to CD192 if I ever get the urge
2) After sales service by Arcam. They keep parts in stock. One can even get a new laser for a 15 year old model (@ $75)

Southern Spy:

Your personal preferences are exactly why I suggested that Hawk_Eye: Listen, demo and make your final choice based upon your own personal preferences.

There are so many fabulous cdp's to choose from. And your overall system and the manner in which the parts balance with each other has so much to do with one's individual preferences.

IMHO both Rega and Arcam manufacture reliable equipment.

Furthermore, if you take a look at the specs you'll notice that both brands have very similar components and design characteristics

Hawk_Eye,

I can only endorse gostan's comments and recommend you listen. listen and listen. I am fortunate in having a dealer that has let me listen and compare models and brands many times over the last three months or so with no pressure on my buying timeframe or pushing any brand. In fact they have sat with me most times and we have compared thoughts. Sometimes we concurred, sometimes we didn't. Then finally I brought the shortlisted items home to hear in my own system and that emphasised other differences again. There is no doubt that my original preference list (based on reviews) changed dramatically over this period.

I ended up with the Arcam CD36 and love it. I didn't really like the Saturn (or Apollo). Which really just hugely emphasises the personal taste comment gostan makes as clearly there are many people that rave about the Regas and some (perhaps many) that would well prefer them over the Arcams. To comment on your question. The CD33 is a fine machine and sounds very, very close to the CD36 so in value for money terms and assuming it's fully servicable. it seems a very good deal second hand. As to how it compares to the Apollo, only you will be able to tell for tastes and in your system. A good source is important and it's a reasonable investment so compare over as long a timeframe as possible would be my advice.

x

Demo'd the Rega Apollo yesterday. Loved it. It was hooked up to a Rega integrated and Paradigm Studio 40s. Can't comment on the plastic front panel. I didn't notice anything "cheap" looking. BTW, the model I listend to was black and looked great. They come in black and silver.

A friend and I listened to both the Rega Apollo and Arcam CD73T this summer. Both were connected to a Sim Moon i3 integrated amp and Spendor speakers. We listened to songs from several cd's and in the end, we both thought they sounded similar to one another. It wasn't until later that I learned that both use Wolfson's WM8740 Sigma Delta 24bit DAC. Prior to that day I had intended on purchasing an Apollo, but after listening to both I've decided I will buy the Arcam.

I sent email to apollo dealer to ask for local dealer and they never returned responded, So I have no experience with the Apollo. Maybe they(apollos) are selling so well do not need my money.

I additioned the 640c and 840C, but bought the 840C because my CD collection is getting too large and a server with the 840c DA output will help in the future.

I do have a Rotel 1072 that I enjoy, but the 840C gives you more detail. larger sound stage. I prefer the rotel Cdp with my studio 100 with rock and roll and the Cambridge Audio 840C with Paradigm Sig S2 for jazz ,classical and similar music.

Read up on the 840C. oversampling and such. Many good reviews. I listened and found in my system the 840C sounded best.

Find a dealer that will let you test drive the CDP. Good luck and happy listening.

Front panel of the 840C is Aluminum.

RJ

Good Choice RJ!!

Gostan

I'll bite. What is the holy grail of CDP and what speakers, amp, etc are you using?

RJ

Here is a link to my "holy grail CDP: Esoteric SA-60 I am running a Cary Cinema 5 amplifier, Anthem D2 with B&W Nautilus 803's on the L&R. Nordost Heimdall IC's and Nordost Red Dawn bi-wire speaker cables. Even the metal dome Nautilus tweeters sing musically with this particular setup. I have learned that the overall system balance is what helps make this particular setup so pleasing to my ears.

The Cambridge Audio 840C is definitely very worldly (and I may pick one up for my HT setup when I move the Esoteric into a new 2 channel only listening setup), but the Esoteric is like having a time machine and being able to go back in time or into the future.

Has anyone recently compared the Rega Saturn vs the Arcam FMJ CD37? I will be demoing the two hopefully in the next couple of days but would like to hear opinions good or bad from owners.

I own an Arcam FMJ CD17. I compared the Arcam to a Cary 306 which retails for $6000. IMO the Cary was brighter than my Arcam, some may call it more revealing, to me ears it was edgy. I prefer the sound of the Arcam Wolfson 8741 DAC, which is also the DAC used in the CD37.