Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
The California “Shine the Light” law gives residents of California the right under certain circumstances to opt out of the sharing of certain categories of personal information (as defined in the Shine the Light law) with third parties for their direct marketing purposes or in the alternative, that we provide a cost-free means for consumers to opt out of any such sharing. We do not currently share your personal information with third parties for their own direct marketing purposes. I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.” ― John Cage It’s an expressive and punchy performer that builds its performance around a solid framework of surefooted rhythmic drive and expressive dynamics. Details levels are good, but it is the confident way this unit organises that information into a cohesive and musical whole that really impresses. Once properly warmed up, the C 538 is a good, solid performer. It doesn’t set new standards for budget CD players, but it does deliver enough in the way of detail and clarity to keep most people happy. Stereo imaging is convincing too, and the player’s soundstage remains solid throughout with instruments located with a good amount of stability. Powerful sound begins with the power supply, which is why Cambridge Audio use an audiophile quality, toroidal transformer. Renowned for their low noise, high efficiency and superior sound quality, the over-sized transformer gives the CXA81 a powerful, dynamic sound and a hefty 80W per channel power output - enough for ‘party level’ sound in even the largest domestic spaces.
You have the right to access, update and amend personal information that we hold about you. If the law in your country allows us to impose a fee for giving you access, we will communicate this to you in response to your request. We humans have a tendency to attribute our characteristics and behaviors to objects (and animals, abstracts, etc.). We anthropomorphize. So it’s no surprise to see much of the dialog about things like CDs and LPs take on the uniform of the embattled, with winners and losers being declared ad infinitum. The fact of the matter is, this is all just a silly little boys game, and I do mean boys. We called it War. Its a bit of arms race, but I feel I got on the right ‘plane’, where major compromises in sound weren’t a factor. What really shines through though is a level of clarity that not only pips its rivals, such as the Rega Elex-R, but also makes them appear a touch cloudy. It is one thing beating this talented Rega amp for timing and dynamics, but to offer a more polished, insightful, even more mature presentation is a real turn up for the books. Verdict The timing is tight and gets your foot tapping almost immediately. We described the original’s sound as ‘wonderfully entertaining’, and it’s nice to hear that Cambridge Audio has retained that quality in the V2.
It's been a winning option for many years, in various versions, and while it's business as usual on the outside (with typically excellent build quality, we're happy to report), it's on the inside where Marantz has made big improvements. Remember that childhood game of War? There are ongoing battles over MQA and I have as much interest in those battles as I do in arguing over Billie Eilish’s figure or fingernails. And that’s where our comment about it being a modern product for a new hi-fi world comes in. The once humble digital to analogue converter is becoming a ubiquitous and increasingly vital hi-fi component. As well as the personal information you share with us about yourself and your Cambridge Audio product, we may collect and handle personal information directly from your Cambridge Audio connected products and Cambridge Audio apps (for example "Melomania App", "StreamMagic App"). A connected product is a Cambridge Audio product that is “smart”, internet enabled or operated through a Cambridge Audio app.
From the opening bars of whatever piece of music we select, we’re greeted with the same powerful yet punchy, dynamic and astonishingly detailed presentation. Some of our connected products may not be able to operate without collecting location information, or other personal information, and so by registering for the app and using a connected product you agree to this use of the information. In the end, playing CDs strikes me as a lifestyle choice. Spending time with the Cambridge CXC was a very pleasant reminder that real time and attention spent listening to music pays dividends and sometimes having less to choose from makes the experience more thoughtful. Devoting one’s time and attention to listening to an album at a time, coupled with the experience of having and holding a real object in hand that includes artwork and liner notes in addition to pits and lands, allows for a different, and potentially deeper, connection to the music beyond sound.The main enemies of the CD transport are read errors, noise, and noise. Read errors are caused by imperfections in the surface of the compact disc. Contrary to marketing hyperbole, the CD is not perfect. Streaming features UPnP, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, internet radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready Paired with the K3 I also heard the Roksan CD player, but was persuaded by my daughter to not buy it as she thought I was much more likely to stream it than use a CD. Would I be right in thinking that 24 bit Tidal would be better than CD? And how does 16 bit Spotify compare with CD? So, if you are looking for a device which is multi-room, network ready - you may wish to look elsewhere. If you are looking for an amplifier to go with your CXNv2, you may wish to look elsewhere (probably just buy a power amp and let the CXNv2 pre-amp handle volume). Provide the Services; marketing and advertising; personalise the Services; improve the Services; business operations; recognise users across Services; with your consent
When comparing a CD-quality file streamed from Tidal or Qobuz, and even hi-res titles, to its CD cousin in the CXC spin machine, the results pretty much bore out what most people say about these things — the CD typically sounded better. How much better depended on the CD and the file in question, and at times I would say the differences between a CD and a stream were negligible. But I would give the overall edge to the Cambridge CXC when it comes to sound quality, where it offered a more nuanced and resolute sounding presentation as compared to streaming’s sometimes slightly sloppier and less well defined presentation. We’re not talking night and day differences, but the Cambridge CXC won this tight sound quality battle by a pit and land. [footnote 2]Does that mean we’d take the Cambridge over the Marantz? Not necessarily. The two units are similarly priced, but the Cambridge CXC is useless without a DAC to marry to it. Verdict It's a nicely made bit of kit too, with a machined-metal chassis that feels solid and a design than matches the rest of Cambridge Audio's impressive CX range, including a streamer and integrated stereo amplifier. Communicate with you; marketing and advertising; personalise the Services; improve the Services; business operations; with your consent
Great Deal 
New Comment