January 9, 200818 yr it does, other than the vrds transports the philips pro are the best transports around I'm looking more and more into DVD transports, specifically the one that Muse audio uses. I think there are some definite benefits to be had with them. Problem with the VRDS is that you have to mess with EIAJ format if you're going to try a i2s direct type connection, which isn't impossible but just different.
January 9, 200818 yr The 840c doesn't smooth over anything, it's really good with transients, especially that initial attack. On drums for instance the initial hit just jumps out and smacks you. I'm still a little unsure of the decay though, at times I get the feeling it's not always holding onto notes as long as it should. I also get a feeling that output stage is holding back the player from being as good as it could be. I wonder how good it'd sound with a zapfilter or a transformer coupled output. I always felt the decay was crazy long, in fact almost painfully long, like "please let that guitar note end so I can listen to the next one". Todd, do you feel that perhaps the length of transients could have something to do with the diffusion you hear in the soundstage?
January 9, 200818 yr I always felt the decay was crazy long, in fact almost painfully long, like "please let that guitar note end so I can listen to the next one". That's there in the amp, you listen to crappy hippy jam bands.
January 9, 200818 yr Nigel: The sustain...listen to it... Marty: I'm not hearing anything. Nigel: You would, though, if it were playing, because it really ... it's famous for its sustain...I mean, you could, just hold it.... Marty: Well I mean so you don't.... Nigel: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa.... You could go and have a bite an'...aaaaaaaaa...you'd still be hearin' that one.
January 9, 200818 yr honestly unless your talking about something like the esoteric transports the vrds, vrds-neo, or maybe the philips pro, most of the other currently available transports aren't going to be any better than a dvd-rom drive. All the different variations of the top Sony transports were also widely used, JVC also had a great one and lets not forget the original Philips swing arm. It's sad that today we have the CD-Pro2 and some POS plastic drives. does the CD-Pro in my Capitole count? It does though I think it is the CD-Pro2... No matter as it is a massive die-cast beast.
January 9, 200818 yr The 840c doesn't smooth over anything, it's really good with transients, especially that initial attack. On drums for instance the initial hit just jumps out and smacks you. I'm still a little unsure of the decay though, at times I get the feeling it's not always holding onto notes as long as it should. I also get a feeling that output stage is holding back the player from being as good as it could be. I wonder how good it'd sound with a zapfilter or a transformer coupled output. Have you thought about RAM mods?
January 9, 200818 yr Author I have seen the RAM mods and they do look interesting (though quite expensive).
January 9, 200818 yr I have seen the RAM mods and they do look interesting (though quite expensive). If you do go for them be sure to get enough C37 lacquer... While I agree with a lot of stuff that they do the magical lacquer just doesn't make any sense to me.
January 9, 200818 yr I have seen the RAM mods and they do look interesting (though quite expensive). True, but RAM, as a company, is so sketchy. I feel this way about any company that offers complete cryo immersion mods.
January 9, 200818 yr Author Yep thats my concern, while I like the whole idea of transformer coupled output it's hard for me to get past things like the $600 wooden knob that they sell.
January 9, 200818 yr All the different variations of the top Sony transports were also widely used, JVC also had a great one and lets not forget the original Philips swing arm. It's sad that today we have the CD-Pro2 and some POS plastic drives. It does though I think it is the CD-Pro2... No matter as it is a massive die-cast beast. What is sad is Philips as a company has a track record of abysmal support, notably in the CD drive arena... hopefully they won't pull the plug on the CD-Pro2
January 9, 200818 yr Author What is sad is Philips as a company has a track record of abysmal support, notably in the CD drive arena... Very true, exhibit A: SACD1000 transport
January 9, 200818 yr What is sad is Philips as a company has a track record of abysmal support, notably in the CD drive arena... hopefully they won't pull the plug on the CD-Pro2 I think it is very likely that will happen soon. Very true, exhibit A: SACD1000 transport They didn't even bother to find out what was wrong with them.
January 9, 200818 yr They didn't even bother to find out what was wrong with them. well, I think Alex got to the bottom of a few of the problems. Thing is, finding those MACE and FURORE chips is near impossibile for the DIY-er, or even people like Alex. I've almost bought the Philips transport 10 times now, but I just get guy shy as a lot of the problems are slow degradation not a quick break. This is hard when your rig is so unstable to deal with a source that exhibits some sort of quantum-uncertainty.
January 9, 200818 yr Re: Philips = asshats Fortunately I have 2 spare CDM4/19s for my Rotel... original laser still works (bought new in ~1990), so I think I'm good there... I always wanted to buy/DIY whatever a transport with a CDM-Pro, particularly if I could do it like this: http://bergrans.despinnerij.nl/index.php?content=mechanics
January 9, 200818 yr http://bergrans.despinnerij.nl/index.php?content=mechanics a few more links: http://www.diy-high-end.com/ http://www.akustik-perfekt.homepage.t-online.de/the-audio-collection/english/cdplayer/index.html http://www.tentlabs.com/
January 10, 200818 yr Author updated the first post with some general comparisons of the 840c vs the Opus 21 and the APL Philips.
January 10, 200818 yr Nice review. I hadn't seen the Resolution Audio player before. It is quite a bit more expensive, particularly with the mods, than the Cambridge, so good to see the 840 holding its own more or less (I guess... depends on perspective). I noticed that GNSC isn't very talkative on their web page regarding the mods they do (other than the usual jargon). Oh, and sorry to contribute to derailing your thread...
January 10, 200818 yr Given the difference in price between the two, it's good to see that the 840c actually does hold up.
January 13, 200818 yr I also get a feeling that output stage is holding back the player from being as good as it could be. I wonder how good it'd sound with a zapfilter or a transformer coupled output. So on this note, anyone getting theirs modded? Of course, I think RAM is the only place modifying them.
January 13, 200818 yr I would love to see a comparision between the digital in of the 840c, Pico and Duet. I tried to grab one that was pretty cheap but someone beat me to it. It does seem that the 840c can compete with some decent competition.
January 13, 200818 yr I would love to see a comparision between the digital in of the 840c, Pico and Duet. I tried to grab one that was pretty cheap but someone beat me to it. It does seem that the 840c can compete with some decent competition. Bring your Pico and Duet to the freezing cold of New England and we'll have a meet!
January 13, 200818 yr Bring your Pico and Duet to the freezing cold of New England and we'll have a meet! That would be one way to do the comparison. If I'm going to venture into the freezing cold, I better have a pair of skis on my feet.
January 13, 200818 yr Just browsed through Audiogon and, wow, there's been some nice prices on used 840C.
January 13, 200818 yr Just browsed through Audiogon and, wow, there's been some nice prices on used 840C. I missed one at $950 and $995. At those prices, I could sell it, if not what I was looking for with little or no loss.
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