Bonky
Rank: Trio
Posts: 156 
|
Post by Bonky on Feb 20, 2017 9:32:30 GMT
I have upgrade-itis.
Having just upgraded my cartridge to an AT 33PTG and just got a good Quad 99 power amp (although I am split between it and the DADA/RedHill modified Quad 306) - and been pleased with both acquisitions, I've started reading some very good reports of the Cambridge CXC CD transport (no DAC on-board) and wondered if it would be better than my Linn Mimik (which I play through my Beresford DAC, i.e. by-passing the Linn internal DAC)...
I know that in some quarters "the CD is dead", - let's all go over to streaming - (which I do anyway via a Pi + Sabre and Logitech Touch), but in these days of 'alternative facts' and 'fake news' (and 'not listening to experts'), I'm not sure I believe it. Falling sales does not mean a medium is dead in the water.
So, noble experts, is it worth my while selling the (perfectly good) Mimik - albeit a bit long-in-the-tooth these days, and getting a CXC to use with the Beresford?
(I do listen to experts BTW).
Thanks,
Bonky
(Also on Aos)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 14:20:04 GMT
How much could you get for the Linn on the open market?... the Cambridge transport isn't a lot of money new, and like you I have heard good things about it so it might just be worth doing.
Can you try before you buy? if not use the 30 day money back guarantee and hear it in your system, if it's better than the Linn (which I suspect it probably will be), you'll have your answer.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 20, 2017 15:11:35 GMT
If you are only using the CD player as a transport could you get better for a lot less ?
My £50, 2nd hand Pioneer stable platter with digital output into a Caiman is very good sound quality
|
|
Bonky
Rank: Trio
Posts: 156
|
Post by Bonky on Feb 20, 2017 18:03:09 GMT
Thanks everyone. A Linn Mimik (minus remote) has just sold on eBay for £256, so given the CXC is £350 (£250 a month ago!) there's not a lot in it. I'm looking on Ebay at present and there are two up for grabs. The Mimik is good but spare parts are now unobtainable. I hear TEAC units make good CD transports but a warranty and the availability of spare parts is a bonus.
I think a loan of a CXC could be in order...
Yours,
r
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 18:13:10 GMT
Thanks everyone. A Linn Mimik (minus remote) has just sold on eBay for £256, so given the CXC is £350 (£250 a month ago!) there's not a lot in it. I'm looking on Ebay at present and there are two up for grabs. The Mimik is good but spare parts are now unobtainable. I hear TEAC units make good CD transports but a warranty and the availability of spare parts is a bonus. I think a loan of a CXC could be in order... Yours, r They obviously realised how good it was as you could buy them for £250 from Richer Sounds only a couple of weeks ago, whereas like you say they're £350 now. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 19:45:30 GMT
Thanks everyone. A Linn Mimik (minus remote) has just sold on eBay for £256, so given the CXC is £350 (£250 a month ago!) there's not a lot in it. I'm looking on Ebay at present and there are two up for grabs. The Mimik is good but spare parts are now unobtainable. I hear TEAC units make good CD transports but a warranty and the availability of spare parts is a bonus. I think a loan of a CXC could be in order... Yours, The CXC sounds way better than the older TEAC VRDS transports I have. More detailed and smooth when warmed up. You can get a 6 year warranty so no chance of being stuck with an un-repairable item. Junk the Mimik while still working and worth a bit. Cambridge appear to be upping prices due to value of pound with around 15% increases. Hopefully they will come down again when the next sale season at Richer starts. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2017 19:47:26 GMT
Bringing life back to this thread, I note that the CXC now retails for £400, which is still an absolute bargain in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by miller65 on Aug 9, 2017 12:09:25 GMT
I use a Cambridge CXC transport with a Beresford Caiman SEG and my system has never sounded better , excellent transport for the money ! If you go down that route try the Electric Beach Rock N Roller isolation feet which I found a worthwhile upgrade
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2017 12:13:55 GMT
I use a Cambridge CXC transport with a Beresford Caiman SEG and my system has never sounded better , excellent transport for the money ! If you go down that route try the Electric Beach Rock N Roller isolation feet which I found a worthwhile upgrade I use original Stillpoints under my CXC, and I stumped for those after trying RDC cones and original Black Ravioli courtesy of Mike. However, I have since tried the new Black Ravioli courtesy of Martin and they were even better than the Stillpoints (but currently a little outside of my price range). Putting Granite placemats or coasters on top of the CXC and Beresford DAC also made a noticeable difference. |
|
