Gary444 Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Hi guys, I just bought a new Cambridge CXC transport to pair with my Arcam irDac and want to share my thoughts on how they perform. Well, to start.....there is overt precision to the sound reproduction - more akin to a higher end audiophile CD player. The clarity is stunningly open with loads of detail & depth which are very well controlled. I fail to detect any unwanted noise intrusion or jitter distortion. There is an abundance of analogue warmth too which I happen to love as I listen to a lot of older Jazz & soundtrack recordings. Live recordings bristle with real "LIVE" sound openness, presence & ambience. The soundstage is extremely well defined too with individual instruments seeming to leap out with pinpointed perspective. Listening to Miles Davis "Round About Midnight" '55/'56 legacy edition is now as I imagined it might be to sit in the original recording room. I can clearly and almost eerily hear the air vibrating and rushing over the reed on Coltrane's Sax and the almost mournful aching cry of Miles' trumpet now reveals a new depth of solitary loneliness through the detailed accurate ambience the components reproduce. Mel Tormé and George Shearing - Complete Concord recordings now have a "Live" warmth, presence and ambience previously disguised by my old YAMAHA player - highlighting even more the vocal control & masterful skill of Tormé. All I can say in summary is: although the Arcam irDac & Cambridge CXC transport have been out now since about 2012/13, for the money, they sure punch above their price point and provide a glimpse into the world of audiophile components. Have a great night! Cheers Gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunno77 Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 I haven't heard the arcam but the cxc is great for the money. The new styling on Cambridge is nice tooSent from my JAZZ using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary444 Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Yep Dan the Cambridge styling is pretty special. I particularly like the lowered bevel panel at the front giving it a neat almost flush fitted look - then a taller stance to the sides and rear to provide plenty of breathing clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Spyne~ Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 The Arcam irDAC is something special, given it's price (and even moreso when you consider they regularly pop up here/eBay for <$300). I had a hard time letting mine go and at times, still miss it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary444 Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 It's indeed a special unit. Also good for me to hear that you still miss it because it provides a little gauge suggesting it rates well for you against other dacs out there. I will invariably upgrade someday but will hang onto Arcam too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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