murky_est wrote:


Hello,

I currently have a 9 year old Arcam Delta 290 amplifier and Arcam
Alpha 6 CD player which both have reliability problems. I'm looking at
the possibility of upgrading instead of getting them repaired. I've
visited several dealers and they all suggest that I should upgrade CD
first, then amp, then speakers.

Has anyone any recommondations for an amp and CD player that would be
a significant improvement on what I've already got ? I've heard a few
systems at dealers but nothing has really sounded a big enough
improvement to make me part with my cash.

I'm in the UK and I'm looking for either new or used kit. I'd prefer
an integrated amp. A headphone socket and/or a phono stage would be
good as well.

Thanks








I can't make specific product/model recommendations, but I'll, FWIW, share my
".02 worth" with you.

First, I respectfully have to disagree with your dealer in his recommendations
of upgrade priorities, or more specifically, the order of change. If you have
already received an estimate of repair costs for your CD player, this might or
might not warrant repairing it. That said, I would, all other things being
approximately equal, put greatest emphasis on upgrading your speakers. While
you don't specify what they currently are, unless you feel you've reached
Nirvana - a subjective judgment - differences in sound quality for your system,
are, IMHO, much more likely to take place after a speaker upgrade. As for CD
players and amplifiers, I think you may rather quickly reach a point of
diminishing returns.

Since you mention perhaps getting an integrated amplifier with a phono stage,
can we assume you don't currently have a vinyl source but would consider adding
one? I'm admittedly biased (pun intended since I like tubes), but in the UK,
Regas are, I assume, very reasonably priced an popular (or a little higher up
the scale, there are a number of Nottingham turntables with excellent
reputations). I would suggest, that with a little planning, the cost of a
phono stage plus turntable could very easily be less then the cost of a new CD
player.

Since you've expressed a willingness to consider the used market, how about
some Quad electronics, if you desire to make a change. Reasonably priced
(compared to Chord and some other English brands) and generally considered
competent and durable. And some of the Quad preamplifiers have built in phono
stages that are decent.

I confess to a particular bias for Quad products since I had a Quad system for
many years with Quad ESL:-57 speakers.
(And if you could find a pair of these babies in rebuilt/refurbished condition
with good working panels, you might be amazed at what a classic speaker such as
these electrostatics can do - or if possible, a pair of ESL-63's which are also
quite nice, with more modern electronics and overall better sound at both ends
of the frequency spectrum).

In summation, my order of upgrade recommendations:

(1) Speakers
(2) Integrated amplifier with phono stage and/or preamp with phono
stage/repaired or used amplifier
(3) CD player

YMMV.

Cheers (from a tubed DAC user).





Bruce J. Richman