Cambridge Audio 740C

The Cambridge Audio 740C CD Player is second in the line to the top of their model range. It has some nice features, rarely found on other units at any price. The sound is excellent and it is a sharp looking piece.

One obvious benefit is the upsampling feature that allows CD quality digital audio at 16/44 or there abouts to be upsampled all the way to 24/192. This has both a smoothing effect and offers a greater level of detail. These two traits are not often in the same machine!

The most notable benefit is the addition of two digital inputs on the back of the unit. this allows connection of any two other digital sources with a PCM output. There are both optical (Toslink) and Coax digital input connectors for each input. This allows three sources altogether, counting of course the built-in CD drive. So for one price and one shelf of your audio racks real estate, you get a sonic upgrade to three different sources. Sources might include a satellite TV receivers output, a PC soundcards output, or a DVD player or multi-disc player such as the old CD jukebox or carosel types. All of these sources will also benefit from the same 24/192 upsampling and the excellent DAC included in the 740C.

I have been a dealer for Cambridge Audio for over a decade and have seen their products mature over the years. They have always had class leading CD players and DACs. While all of their products aim to offer great bang for the buck, their digital products really lead the way in the area and consistently outshine many others, regardless of cost, often by a good margin. We are also a Rega dealer and have been so for the same amount of time. Rega is also famous for their players and won international aclaim with the introduction of their Planet CD player. The latest version of the Rega player is the apollo and it has won similar praise and has been situated in many circles as the player to beat at its price point. Both the Cambridge Audio 740C and the Rega Apollo players are about the price. The Rega does not offer digital inputs. While it must offer some upsampling, it is not advertised as such. What we know for a fact is that both players make use of the identical, and great sounding Wolfson DAC chips. Both players have very nice quality analog output stages and both players sound nearly identical to each other. The Rega is a top loading player, where as the Cambridge has the usual front loading drawer. Sonically, the differences in the midrange are practically non-existant, even in systems featuring very high resolution amps and loudspeakers. The frequency extremes do give away some differences though. Where the Rega is a slightly bit brighter and more lively on top, the 740C is smooth and a touch dark sounding. The Rega Apollo is actually slightly warmer than neutral so the 740C is quite the smoothie indeed. Where this becomes more interesting is that the rega Apollo also has a little deeper and more rounded bass response, where the Cambridge Audio 740C has a seemingly more controlled and sharper bass focus that is not quite as full sounding. The resolution of the Apollos bass frequencies is excellent and it yet it still manages to have a full, round and warm bottom end. The 740C gives up a little bit here and offers a very articulate yet controlled bass performance to balance its deliciously warm top end. overall, it's a good frequency balance and a very enjoyable sound.

These differences, while audible on the very best systems and by those with trained and experienced ears, do not constitute a night and day difference. Do both players offer significantly better performance than many other players, yes indeed! Where they do not differ so much is in comparison only to each other. So much so, that if you don't have the best ears or the best other system components, you might decide between the two solely on cosmetics and or features. both units offer very well laid-out remote controls whch will also operate their companies respective, matching amplifiers.