Arcam Delta 250 CD Transport
- Thread starter webster
- Start date
retseldrib
pfm Member
A mate of mine has a couple of these and uses it with the Arcam black box. Sounds fine to me. It has a sync lead that goes between the two to stop jitter I guess?
webster
Listen & enjoy.
In the event that I acquire one I would be partnering it with a Rega Dac-R.
retseldrib
pfm Member
I cant really hear any difference when the sync lead is removed? How much do the Arcam go for on ebay?
The Cambridge Audio CXC transport is a great buy secondhand - I have this.
The Cambridge Audio CXC transport is a great buy secondhand - I have this.
I had the Karik/Numerik and when sync lead was removed performance became un-focused and lost involvement
The sync meant anything for that combo imo
The Arcam sync will only match Arcam dacs to my knowledge
I have the CXC currently into another dac and beside its flimsy plastic drawer and fixed stand-by, its quite good value, I'd choose it over an old and perhaps not serviceable Arcam.
Not sure I would choose it over say an Apollo/R used as transport into Dac/R
The sync meant anything for that combo imo
The Arcam sync will only match Arcam dacs to my knowledge
I have the CXC currently into another dac and beside its flimsy plastic drawer and fixed stand-by, its quite good value, I'd choose it over an old and perhaps not serviceable Arcam.
Not sure I would choose it over say an Apollo/R used as transport into Dac/R
webster
Listen & enjoy.
I'm struggling to find one that's been sold on ebay in the last year but there's one on offer at the moment for about £150.
The last couple of CXC's have gone for around £260 - I wouldn't be prepared to pay that when a new one costs £299!
retseldrib
pfm Member
If you can get a new CXC then it makes sense to do so. I had imagined the Arcam would be under £100; given its age then I wouldn’t pay anymore than a £100.
Ive had the £2k plus Cyrus cdxt se / psx-r combo and thought there not much difference between that and the CXC.
Ive had the £2k plus Cyrus cdxt se / psx-r combo and thought there not much difference between that and the CXC.
webster
Listen & enjoy.
You make a valid point regarding the Arcam being 'not serviceable' particuarly as I reside in France.
If I'm honest I've probably been drawn to the 250 as my amp is a Delta 290 which I'm more than happy with.
webster
Listen & enjoy.
To be honest I'm struggling to find anyone who has a bad word to say about the CXC.
In case you not yet own the Dac/R, and not intend to use it with a computer, then a used earlier version Rega Dac would be similar performance, and a single Apollo/R cd player not that far off, guessing the amp not that revealing
rdf
pfm Member
I had one of these years ago. It was pretty good. Played anything, pretty solidly put together. I ran it with a Black Box, and it was a very nice player. I'm not a massive believer in the importance of the transport though. I'd be a little wary of anything of this age, because CD mechanisms don't last for ever.
webster
Listen & enjoy.
I've had a Dac-R for about a year now and use it mostly via usb with flac files.It sounds good but there is a noticeable improvement when I connect my old Rotel CD player to the Dac and play CD's.
webster
Listen & enjoy.
If by being old that makes the amp 'not that revealing' then you may be right.
My bet is this amp would give any modern amp under a grand a run for its money.
A few months ago I had the input selector switch completely refurbished and at the same time the amp was serviced and is now singing like a bird!
http://www.amprepairservices.co.uk/arcam/4583540896
Certainly not meant as a"downer" on your amp
For the record Its just, when I tried the Apollo/R against same player - transport only, into my Rega Dac, I struggled to hear very much difference between the combo and single player, this was on 3K Naim amplication and 1K speakers, there was a difference but not world apart
I don't use computer replay
BTW I recall the Arcam CD 36 was a very good cd player if you can source one, would match the amp I guess but then you have the Rega DacR waiting.
Good luck
fred sonnen
pfm Member
It is reported that Arcam Delta xxx CD Transport doing this clock lock also with the Audiolab MDAC. For me the delta 170 CD-T is doing a fine job with my MDAC
Rodney gold
Im just me...
I had one with the BB dac. It did what it said on the tin. I wouldnt consider buying one these days due to it being ancient and potential failure prone..it then becomes a boat anchor.
webster
Listen & enjoy.
No worries.
The Arcam CD 36 is rarely seen on ebay but in any case that would be an expensive cd player to use just as a transport - or have I misunderstood your post?
As an aside I'm currently 'trying out' a Graham Slee Lautus USB cable and the improvement in comparison to a bog standard USB cable is quite amazing.
I'm currently doing an A/B comparison through the Rega Dac and am struggling to hear an appreciable difference between the cd and a flac file of the same music.
webster
Listen & enjoy.
Is your Delta 170/MDAC connected using the clock lock or just with the normal coaxial connection?
fred sonnen
pfm Member
they are connected with 2 optical cables
One for the clock. one for the data