[daltonlanny]

Hello,
I am confused

and need help with my decision on which CD player to purchase. I have no local dealers, so I cannot compare them, and I definitely cannot afford to purchase a Saturn and then a Cambridge Audio player!
Here is why I am confused:
There was a rave review of the Rega Saturn by Sam Tellig in the March issue of Stereophile magazine.
Now, in the latest September 2007 issue of Stereophile Sam raves about the sonics of the new Cambridge Azur 740c upsampling CD player.
He states that "The Azur 740c is close to the best CD player that I have heard." He raves about the way it handles piano, voices, violin, ambience, decay, the imaging, the bass, the extension on the top-end, the speed, and the clarity of the 740c. he states that while he did not have the Saturn around for a direct comparison, the Saturn was fuller and warmer. He also states that the 740c, compared to the Rega Apollo, may offer greater low-level resolution, ambience, air, and openness.
I do not want an overly warm, or rich sound, if it means sacrificing top-end extension, openness, and resolution.
Also, if the Cambridge 740c is close to, or as good as the Saturn, I would purchase it, since I could save at least $1,000.00.
In comparisons to my Marantz SA8001, I do find my Apollo alittle on the warm/euphonic side of neutral.
My questions are these:
Is the Saturn a small improvement over the Apollo, or a fairly significant improvement?
Are the basic sound signatures of the Apollo and Saturn the same or different?
Has anyone compared the Apollo/Saturn to the Cambridge?
In all honesty, do you think I should spend the extra money on the Saturn, or save a grand and go with the 740c?
Any help and information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HiWire]

Don't forget the Azur 840C... and don't believe everything reviewers write.

 

[909]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the Saturn a small improvement over the Apollo, or a fairly significant improvement?

I've owned both and had them at the same time for several weeks and the Saturn without question is a substantial improvement over the Apollo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are the basic sound signatures of the Apollo and Saturn the same or different?

I would say similar. The Saturn offers better detail retrieval, larger soundstage, better extension in the highs and lows, better bass--quality and quantity and overall a more focused and refined sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny /img/forum/go_quote.gif In all honesty, do you think I should spend the extra money on the Saturn, or save a grand and go with the 740c?

I've not heard or read much about the 740, but the Saturn is well worth the money if you are either buying used around $1700 to $1800 and can be had new for about that price, if not less.

 

[Asr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiWire /img/forum/go_quote.gif and don't believe everything reviewers write.

x2, because it needs to be seconded. A lot of reviewers will rave about a component even if it's bad - there's subjectivity, bias, etc, and then the issue of advertising dollars. A clever reviewer can make a less-than-stellar product look good in writing, or conversely, a great product look not-so-good. So you have to be wary of that issue, you shouldn't jump into products based on one review especially, you should read all reviews available (both from the audio press and regular consumers) and then research extensively.

 

[daltonlanny]

Thanks for your responses so far.
I know you cannot believe what reviewers write, but I have read not just one, but 3 rave reviews of the Cambridge Azur 740c so far.
There was also rave reviews of the 740c by Hi-Fi Choice, and Hi-Fi News.
In the Hi-Fi News review, they did a head-to-head review between the 740c, the Creek Evo, Arcam CD73, and the Marantz SA7001.
The 740c pretty handily beat all of them sonically.

 

[jwilldermood]

Another plus for the Cambridge Audio player is the digital input. I wonder if it would be much of an improvement over your current sources. I would think the Saturn would be a more definite step up.

 

[Shike]

When I initially clicked on this thread I thought it said "Sega Saturn" >_>

Sorry, I just thought some would be amused to hear that.

 

[LonerGenius]

I did a lot of research before I bought my 740C and actually spent more than I had originally planned for my CDP. In the price range you really can't go wrong with Cambridge Audio...BUT...if you can spend more (and want to) might as well consider other options.

I am extremely happy with the level of detail and seperation my setup provides for me. The two digital inputs on the Azur line let me use my computer as a source when not using the CDP directly...it functions as stand alone upsampling DAC (one for L and one for R channels). Anyway...I am happy with mine.

The 840C is what you want if balanced is any consideration at all.
Good luck on getting to a sound you enjoy.

 

[chesebert]

I read stereophile for entertainment not review. Although I do pay attention to their recommended list with either a star or $$$ sign simply because in my experience, those with star or $ are actually quite excellent and do warrant their respective ratings. (the exception is Paradigm S2, which received $ sign under class A rating; I just don't like the sound sig). Another thing I do with the recommend list is I go and audition what's on the list and determine which ones I like, and which ones I don't; I then use that impression and go back and look a the reviews again and try to match the words they reviewer used to describe each with my own impression. After a while you get a sense what reviewers are 'actually' saying.

The other thing is always read between the lines, because stereophile is supported by ad and they really can't give bad review to well-known brands. (e.g. in their Apollo review, the reviewer was hinting at Apollo is much closer to Ayre CX-7e than the price suggests, but they can't really say it like that

I don't know if you noticed, the reviewer used 'may', as in the CA 'may' be better than Apollo, which means he doesn't really know; he further stated that he doesn't have a Saturn to compare either, so he doesn't really know how CA compare to Saturn either. While at a rough glance CA seem to go head to head with Apollo, a closer reading revels that the reviewer is trying to manipulate ppl's mind by injecting comparisons that never existed.

But the golden rule for picking the right equipment for you is to borrow, buy, beg for a sample and test it for few days in your house with your equipment and music.

 

[LarryK2]

The Saturn is easily and obviously in another class than the Apollo, though their basic sound is similar. In the two setups in which I heard the two side by side, the Apollo was OK, but I actually ENJOYED the Saturn - I'm a vinyl guy, but I want to be able to listen to the occasional CD.

 

[Jigglybootch]

As has been stated, the Saturn is quite a step above the Apollo. In any case, I think it would be best to audition your potential sources (if possible) before making a decision. Or just buy them all and return the one you don't like

 

[daltonlanny]

Cool!
I have obtained more useful information about the Saturn than I have obtained anywhere else...bar none! Thanks!
I don't think Cambridge Audio does any advertising in Stereophile, do they?
I just want to obtain the best possible sound for the dollar, and if the Cambridge Azur 740c even comes close to performance of the Saturn, its a no brainer for me and my wallet. Plus the top loading of the Saturn don't appeal to me as much as the front loading of other players.
Decisions, decisions!

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 909 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've owned both and had them at the same time for several weeks and the Saturn without question is a substantial improvement over the Apollo. I would say similar. The Saturn offers better detail retrieval, larger soundstage, better extension in the highs and lows, better bass--quality and quantity and overall a more focused and refined sound. I've not heard or read much about the 740, but the Saturn is well worth the money if you are either buying used around $1700 to $1800 and can be had new for about that price, if not less.

I have owned the Apollo for some time and now own the Saturn for many months.

You are wrong in all your assertions, as my wife would substantiate, because you and I agree 100 percent on your opinions on the differences between the Saturn and Apollo and my wife says I am always wrong.

Your opinions were well said.

BTW: Anyone can Email me for the East Coast Rega dealer who can meet or beat the $1700 to $1800 price on a new Saturn unit.

 

[daltonlanny]

Would you guys describe the Rega Saturn sound as "neutral", or is its basic sound signature more towards warmth and/or "analog like"?

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny /img/forum/go_quote.gif Would you guys describe the Rega Saturn sound as "neutral", or is its basic sound signature more towards warmth and/or "analog like"?

I say neutral after one week break-in period. During first week I thought it was polite and perhaps too dark/laid back, but then it turned into a tiger with great fine detail illumination and leading edge attack.