Arcam CD73 or Music Hall 25.2?

[dmusgrave]

I'm about to undertake a BIG upgrade... going to an Adcom GFA-555 Mk II amp, and an Adcom GFP-565 preamp.

If I get lucky, both the Arcam and the Music Hall can be had for about the same price on the used market. Of the two... which should I go with?

If it matters, most of the time CD-R's will be played... when I buy a CD it gets ripped and burned and put safely away... I can't afford to buy the same thing repeatedly so I prefer to keep the original pristine, and that's tough to do with kids, a girlfriend, and friends...

Any suggestions :scratch2:

[softmachine]

I would go with the Arcam.

[Urizen]

The Arcam. I've heard neither, but Arcam has a good rep for fine sounding players.

Waves to the fellow Memphian above.

[whoaru99]

I've not heard the Arcam or the Music Hall 25.2, but I liked the Music Hall 25 I heard.

[opt80]

I have the Arcam 73.A beauty,inside and out.Never experience ear fatique again

[softmachine]

The Arcam. I've heard neither, but Arcam has a good rep for fine sounding players.

Waves to the fellow Memphian above.
:thmbsp:, I'm actually from Chattanooga, but in Memphis for school. I like it much better here.

[javajam12]

I have both an Arcam CD73t and a Cambridge Audio 640C, which may compare
to the Music Hall. I would pick the Arcam by an edge although I think they are
both fine players. The Arcam has a nice musical midrange and lower mid that
the 640 is missing. The Cambridge has more lower bass extension but also
has more glare on the highend. Some would call the 640 more detailed but it
comes at a cost of a bit of sterility in sound. I use both of these players very
regularly but always prefer the Arcam. Build quality and reliability of both seem very good. Cambridge perhaps a sturdier unit with it's metal faceplate.
Now, I've never heard the Music Hall vs. 640C but I thought they had similar
DAC and qualities. A lot of this will depend on what types of music you listen
to and all your other components. I've never used Adcom so can't comment on
that. I have gone from Yamaha to Marantz to McIntosh SS and tubes. Another
point to make, buy good interconnects and speaker cables. I just did this and
am very happy with the sound improvements. Good luck and have fun!

[dmusgrave]

Sounds like the Arcam is the one for me... now to find one for sale :thmbsp:

[whoaru99]

I have both an Arcam CD73t and a Cambridge Audio 640C, which may compare
to the Music Hall. I would pick the Arcam by an edge although I think they are
both fine players. The Arcam has a nice musical midrange and lower mid that
the 640 is missing. The Cambridge has more lower bass extension but also
has more glare on the highend. Some would call the 640 more detailed but it
comes at a cost of a bit of sterility in sound. I use both of these players very
regularly but always prefer the Arcam. Build quality and reliability of both seem very good. Cambridge perhaps a sturdier unit with it's metal faceplate.
Now, I've never heard the Music Hall vs. 640C but I thought they had similar
DAC and qualities. A lot of this will depend on what types of music you listen
to and all your other components. I've never used Adcom so can't comment on
that. I have gone from Yamaha to Marantz to McIntosh SS and tubes. Another
point to make, buy good interconnects and speaker cables. I just did this and
am very happy with the sound improvements. Good luck and have fun!


What you've said about the Arcam is almost spot on what I would have said about the Music Hall CD-25. Decent top end with out sizzle, nice smooth perhaps slightly "warm" midrange and solid but not overblown bass.

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

I like the Music Hall better. I would also consider trying a Rega Planet or other Rega player. :tresbon:

[luvvinvinyl]

The Arcam players I have had all played every CD-R I ever tried in it. Maybe a MH owner can confirm the performance of that unit wrt CD-Rs.

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi,

My friend's Music Hall plays CD-R media superbly well as does the Regas.

[RWFE]

I have the Arcam and its great sounding. I have not heard the others though. I can say that I play a lot of CD-Rs and its never had one problem with any of them. I got mine on Audiogon for $350 and it looks brand new with original box, manual etc.