Have your say & ask the experts

Hi,

My Hi-Fi currently consists of an Arcam CD93, Arcam A32+P35 (integrated + power amp) and PMC TB2+ speakers. Interconnects between CD and amp and between the amp and power amp are Chord Chorus 2s, and I'm using twin runs of Van Damme 6mm Hi-Fi OFC speaker cable (as recommended by PMC and a huge improvement over the QED silver anniversary bi-wire I was using previously). Atacama and Partington supports.

I am looking to upgrade the CD player, because whilst I am generally very happy, and the sound has a richness that I love, it can sometimes stray into excess warmth.  With well recorded, simpler music it's great, but heavier or less well recorded material can end up sound a bit thick and wooly. It kind of ranges from Jose Gonzales (amazing) to Smashing Pumpkins (who put a blanket over my speakers?!)

So I'm looking to take a general step up on the CD front as well as introduce something with crisper timing and greater dynamic 'bite'.  My shortlist, based upon reviews and what is available from dealers in my local area is Cyrus CD8SE (possibly with PSX-R), Naim CD5x, Primare CD31 and Musical Fidelity A5.5.

I'm looking for some advice to try to whittle this down (or point me in a different direction).  A home trial is a must and for practical reasons I don't want to audition all 4 (preferably just 2 or at most 3).  Advice on which to try based on the character of their sound and and which would work best in my system would be greatfully received!

I had a 92 and changed to a 192 and that is a totally different sound, far more bite and snap and a tad more detail. Are you biamping? If not, that is your first port of call.

Your shortlist looks pretty good though and I would be very tempted to hear the Cyrus given all the good press. The Naim may be a bit too far in the upfront direction, but then again it depends on how far you want to go. The MF I haven't heard either, nor the Primare so can't comment.

Hi Dan,

 I must admit that I have not used the CD players you have listed so cannot narrow down your selection but why not try all 4. Surely it will be worth it in the long run??

As I said above the Cyrus would be first on my list, even the xtse/dac combo with potential PSX upgrades. Go for it and post your findings on the site.

Shame about the reliability issues. I've had 9 Arcam components and have been lucky.

It needs to be tested in the context of his system. Think Gerrard and Lampard playing for England. Separately they are both great players, together they are less than the sum of their parts.

I really want to hear the Cyrus after the reviews. Really really.

Having said that, I'm listening to Jack Johnson at the moment and I can't imagine it getting much better than this for detail...if I didn't have eyes then he could be strumming in my fireplace

Hi Dan,

I'd change the speakers to something more open and clear - less 'thick' sounding. in my experience the differences between electronic components is MUCH harder to hear and you may be disappointed. Also remember that a lot of 'flavour of the month' CD players recommended by What Hi-Fi have serious bugs and reliability/useability issues. At least Arcam is a good brand with good solid products and service.

OK - so for anyone that's interested, the first round of trials is underway; I've borrowed the Cyrus CD8SE and an Arcam CD37 (I gave in following the good review/award from HFC). My humble opinion is thus:

At the moment it definitely preferring the Arcam.  I could not believe the sound coming out of that thing.

Don't get me wrong the Cyrus is a great CD player, good detail, nice bass, it's all there, but it's all rather too polite (I can't believe I'm saying it either) - by comparison the Arcam has this great, powerful, deep, tuneful bass, that just motors the whole sound along, and whilst on immediate impressions the Cyrus sounds more detailed because of it's slightly brighter balance, once you become aclimitised to the Arcam's slightly warmer balance you realise that all the treble detail is there, but what the Arcam does it to carry that increased resolution all the way though the mid-range and bass in a way that the Cyrus just can't seem to do.

The other thing is that the Arcam has more solidity to the sound stage and the whole thing hangs together better when things start to drive hard or get complex.

I've decided to make doubly sure the Cyrus is fully run in by leaving it playing on repeat all day, but for now, I'm just enjoying the Arcam.  It really is good. Oh yeah, and Dark Side of the Moon on SACD - incredible.

Quite inconvenient actually, I wanted to like the Cyrus more because of it's inherent upgradeability. Still going to try the Naim CD5x, and also thinking about trying the Musical Fidelity CD5.5 and Yamaha CD-S2000 (My dealer has them all, so I figured what the heck, might as well be sure!)

Have mercy Arcam bashers...as you'll see from my initial post I was deliberately going to avoid another Arcam CDP, but the CD37 definitely deserves to be considered on it's merit.....Can't wait to see how WHF rate it out of interest.