The Sound of Science - audiolab 6000 Series and beyond!
- Thread starter Hollywood
- Start date
MikeH
Well-Known Member
I thought I had heard that Cambridge tends to use really cheap parts but could be thinking of some other brandā¦ @HiFi Guy might know?
Iād assume @Hollywood is using the DAC in the Audiolab 6000-A? Everybody is getting CD players lately! Maybe I have to keep my eye out for oneā¦
MikeH
Well-Known Member
Very excited for you! Let us know how they all sound together.A dedicated thread for the official integrated amplifier of N&G
My 6000A and 6000CDT have landed! I can't wait to set it up along with my Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers this weekend!!
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JohnnyCashFan
Well-Known Member
Congrats. Someone told me it's the choice until the Hegel Integrated Amps which are much more.
The Rotel CD-11 Tribute is a great cdp as well.
The Rotel CD-11 Tribute is a great cdp as well.
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Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
No from what I gather youāre right, their stuff supposedly sounds great but they supposedly scrimp on key electrical components.
The only thing that makes me slightly nervous about the audiolab is a slot loading mechanism, I really donāt like them and Iāve had issues with them in the past.
If I was getting a CD player at that level right now Iād go for the marantz/denon family. The marantz cd mechanisms are supposedly excellent at all levels and theyāve got a nice solid tray lol.
OMC
Well-Known Member
Iāve read that about CA gear too. Must say, though, that my wifeās office system has a 20 year old CA 500 CD player, I think, that still works fine. Being āonlyā a transport CA CDT has a minimum of parts compared to an integrated amp, say, and it does have a pretty good track record. Like Joe Mack, slot loading is something of a drawback for me but not a deal breaker. Iām sure Hollywood will really like it and it will be great with the matching integrated.
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Hollywood
Well-Known Member
I shall report back later on the CDT and its front loading mechanism
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Iāve read that about CA gear too. Must say, though, that my wifeās office system has a 20 year old CA 500, I think, eh hat still works fine. Being āonlyā a transport it has a minimum of parts compared to an integrated amp, say, and it does have a pretty good track record. Like Joe Mack, slot loading is something of a drawback for me but not a deal breaker. Iām sure Hollywood will really like it and it will be great with the matching integrated.
Yeah it totally wouldnāt be a deal breaker either. Itās one of those that Iād pick the best sounding one but if it was neck and neck Iād likely end up with the one with the tray. These calls really can be splitting hairs sometimes!
MikeH
Well-Known Member
Iād do what @Hollywood did and get the matching CD and amp. They look real slick together.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah Iāve gone so far down the line of stuff by manufacturers that seem to specialise on one bit in particularā¦ lol!
If PS Audio made a Stellar level CD transport/steamer with the I2S connection into my pre/DAC then Iād be all over that long term. As it is Iām not paying ā¬6,000 on the only SACD they do, itād be the most expensive component in my system for a medium I rarely use
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I shall report back later on the CDT and its front loading mechanism
Cheers! Look forward to your impressions.
CA uses the cheapest junk the can get their hands on as far as internal parts. It sounds fine, while it works. Most of their gear isnāt worth paying to have repaired.
Not that inexpensive parts are always bad: NAD uses inexpensive filter caps in the power supply of the C316BEE V2. Itās reliable and sounds great regardless. That said, if I owned one, Iād be tempted to buy a couple of Panasonic or Nichicon caps and upgrade the stock caps.
Ginormousthumbs
Go on, geezer.
You going to post in this thread or the other one? Or CROSS POST?
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Idk probably both lol
Angsty
Well-Known Member
Iāve used NAD and CA gear for decades with great results. I have a 15 yr old CA Azur CD player that has been rock solid, but I have used it only as a transport for the past ten years or so. Iād happily buy a CA transport if the need arose.
My NAD preamp is 30+ years old and still going strong. I had it ārefreshedā in 2020 to update semiconductors and capacitors for age alone. Would also happily buy another NAD; I also have 3 other pieces of NAD gear.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
NAD is a solid brand with an excellent reputation for its fantastic-sounding products at an affordable price.
