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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 170 Registered: Mar-06 | Took a flyer on one of these 3 months ago and it still continues to impress -- a good sign, as there has been no motivation to upgrade and spend more money (Baron Hilton, where are you when I need you). The CA 840A features a slew of impressively good reviews, so I figured why not. Yes, Reviews are only what they are: questionable methodology, impression-oriented much like us all, always positive and downright abhorrent if one's favorite brand happens to get dissed (especially if one owns that brand).. Two reviews bundle a Snobiofile Lineup for comparative group testing: Naim Nait 5I, Primare I21, Rega Mira 3, Arcam Diva A90, Audiolab 8000, Creek Destiny and for good measure, the mid-fi reputations of Onkyo and Denon. It would be nice if Krell KAV150 (discontinued), in the same price range with enormous power, had been thrown in the mix- http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/Hi-FiChoiceNov06840Alicensedrepri nt840A-conc.pdf http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/UAN/777/v/1/sp/ The CA 840A grabbed top honors. More gushy reviews- http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/TheAbsoluteSoundDec06840Alicensed reprint.pdf http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/HFCJuly06840Alicensedreprintweb.p df http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/documents/HFWMay06840Areviewwebfull.pdf The unit weighs 33 lbs., has solid casework, looks are attractive; benched 267 watts into 4 ohms that drives my 4 ohm speakers without a hitch. Foregoing any technical details on ohms, real watts, sensitivity, slew rates, amperes, damping factors et al, what counts is it drives my speaks splendidly without strain. My thoughts, rather than fumble over the keyboard and bungle for adjectives, are that the reviews pretty much agree on the sound quality: Open, Detailed, Lively, Weighty and Powerful. This unit is also set with comprehensive features and inputs. What I did appreciate with the variety of reviews, was a degree of objectivity and criticism. One guy notes a treble "anomaly", a jitter that shows up in the bench measurements (of course, what's measured must always be, likewise, perceived thru hearing) while another, conversely, remarks on the natural treble extension -- I don't hear any treble issues. Another is irked by a wobbly volume knob (own it, petty and a non-issue); another notes a bass irregularity -- this I hear, something is soft and not quite right in the upper bass area, a bit mushy, I think- this is not significant to the overall sound quality. Key Feature: It integrates a quick connection to my Yamaha AVR by pulling up the "menu" that sets a fixed input volume to the main speakers. The CA's volume control is now deactivated and defers volume control to the Yamaha. So, the CA can be used for terrific 2-channel stereo and the Yamaha for equally impressive HT. Naim and Krell integrateds, I think, also offer this feature and it's the best of both worlds. Pace: The timing and rhythm is relaxed. This timing probably lends to the wonderful detail and separation rendered to the harmonics. Threw in Claptons's scorching "Crossroads" (is there anything better than Jack Bruce's pounding bass-line) and "Spoonful", plus upbeat Jeff Golub and Keb Mo' tunes -- no problems to my ears and convincingly alive. On the other hand, the eminently fluid melody of Miles Davis' "So What" never sounded better with a resolute nuance to the player's instruments that I had not enjoyed before. However, this pace may not be your cup of tea. XD Technology: Addressed in the reviews, a claimed CA proprietary version of Class AB amplification that reduces crossover distortion. Interesting enough, a good read, but my concerns were more on How It Sounds vs. How It's Done. Power Cord: It's very thin; I've seen shoelaces and pasta that are thicker. CA must have pillaged the Hong Kong garment district for every sewing machine cord to be found. That considered, swapped in a Zu Birth and a thick Parasound power cord -- could not hear a difference. To note, the 840A was released in tandem with the 840C CDP that has also received a fair share of top reviews. As a source, $1400 is a bit difficult for me to justify. Did pick up one of these: http://www.pacificvalve.us/MHZSCD33.html How it ever arrived from Hong Kong in one piece is a truly wondrous event and another story altogether. At end, one reviewer summed up the CA as: >Overall, there's plenty of headroom for getting loud, but there's also a deftness that brings smaller pieces to life. Not just detail, but every subtlety of timbre and atmosphere. Solo voices and acoustic performances in small venues seem particularly intimate, with an almost disturbing disconnect between the room you are sitting in and the room you are hearing. For me, the 840A is scary live and natural sounding. It's a sound that finally works for me because it's real, not revved-up and not contrived. It's not perfect, but give a listen if you get a chance. Highly Recommended. Music is great in '08 |
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Silver Member Username: DanmanQUEBEC CANADA Post Number: 700 Registered: Apr-04 | After purchasing these myself, I can only agree with you. After numerous years with NAD and multiple listening of all sorts of equipment, I settled with this gear even though I was planning on investing more but did not find anything significantly better. The CD player alone is out of this world clean! I am looking to maybe go with the new Power and Pre that CA is coming out with but it will have to be that much better before I consider a swap. |
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Silver Member Username: Unbridled_idChicagoUsa Post Number: 216 Registered: Mar-04 | There is an 840 A version 2 that will be available in the spring. |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 172 Registered: Mar-06 | Danman, Clean is the adjective I omitted, yet the 840A does not sacrifice that lively, thick SQ. Fact is, took a shot on it based on numerous reviews and your input: https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/328684.html Am going to have to talk myself into getting a hold of the 840C. If I get lovestruck like many of the Reviews, what's another $1400 in pursuit of happiness. Id, yes, V2's will be available, think I read somewhere that some are already in stock at dealers. |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 173 Registered: Mar-06 | OK, $1400 buys alot of ... |
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Silver Member Username: JawPost Number: 178 Registered: Mar-06 | FWIW, CA appears to be clearing out inventory for V2's at both spearit and audioadvisor- http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA840A Maybe, the 840C will not be far behind. |