I’ve seen Ortofons shed their diamonds multiple times when wet cleaned. I’d stick with a dry Magic Eraser or Blu Tac.
Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice
- Thread starter Joe Mac
- Start date
Your best bet for a deal is an open box set rather than a discount as the base price for a new sealed set is almost universally the same across the board. So you’re best just combing the main dealers every couple of days to see what comes up.
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Just bit the bullet and bought a Walnut pair with stands from Reverb and swiped the free shipping which wasnt offered on Music Direct. Are we in agreement that the NAD C 316BEE is the best pair with this at under $500?
How does the NAD stack up against these? Steve Guttenberg seems to prefer the Cambridge to the NAD and What Hi-Fi rated the Marantz very very highly.
www.whathifi.com
Also, keep in mind this is my first stand alone amp, consider me a complete noob when it comes to how integrated amps pair with soemthing like the Lintons.
Marantz PM6006 UK Edition review
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 winner. Marantz makes small, but telling, improvements to a class-leading amplifier.
www.whathifi.com
Also, keep in mind this is my first stand alone amp, consider me a complete noob when it comes to how integrated amps pair with soemthing like the Lintons.
JohnnyCashFan
Well-Known Member
Congrats, let us know how you like them. I have heard that the Audiolab 6000A is a very good match for the Linton's, it's above your price point but there is a refurb at B&H currently not to far away. You have some good brands listed above, I also hear good things from friends about Quad, Rega, Leak integrated. Good used deals on Musical Fidelity perhaps. (I considered this before going vintage).
One more thing, if you are continuing your vinyl quest, make sure you research the built in phono sections on these integrated's.
@HiFi Guy and others here know these speakers very well and will have some sound advice.
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I'll check out if there are any notable Musical Fidelity deals as I could pair that with my LX-LPS. The Audiolab looks wonderful, but just a punch over budget! Certainly one to keep an eye on for the future though.
displayname
Well-Known Member
I'll just say that I'm generally pro cambridge, but whathifi has a very obvious bias towards any products made by UK based companies. You have other reviews and reference points, but I thought I should bring that up since you linked whathifi.How does the NAD stack up against these? Steve Guttenberg seems to prefer the Cambridge to the NAD and What Hi-Fi rated the Marantz very very highly.
Marantz PM6006 UK Edition review
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 winner. Marantz makes small, but telling, improvements to a class-leading amplifier.
Also, keep in mind this is my first stand alone amp, consider me a complete noob when it comes to how integrated amps pair with soemthing like the Lintons.
dansomeone
Well-Known Member
Discounted, but still over your budget:
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I had this one. It was great but I can’t compare it to the NAD as I have no experience with it.Discounted, but still over your budget:
Has there not been concerns over the component quality in their lower models? I’m sure I’ve seen that brought up on here before?
This. Cambridge builds much of their gear with bargain basement parts. Someone here (I can’t recall who) just gave up on Cambridge after 2 repairs within 2 years.
I had a CA phono stage that was ruined when every single power supply capacitor leaked within a year.
ZiggsMBK
New Member
I believe that concern extends into their midrange product, as well. Though if you asked me to point you to where I’d read that, I’d not be able.
As for sound quality, I didn’t care for the Cambridge CXA80. It was strident with my Focal Arias. My only Cambridge Audio experience. Years ago I had a NAD T757 AVR that played quite admirably well with Klipsch RF62s. Really mellowed the RF62s. Musically enjoyable from what I recall. I’ve never heard the Lintons, though, so can’t guess at how exactly either would play with them.
I’ve heard both but not together: when my mother in law bought the NAD she sent it to my place to hold until I had time to go over and set up. The only downside to the NAD is that it doesn’t accept spades, which are what my speaker cables are, so I couldn’t try the NAD with the Wharfedales.
Having heard both though, I have no doubt they’d be a good pairing.
ZiggsMBK
New Member
I only auditioned the Cambridge and so can’t speak personally to their longevity; just to what I’ve read. My NAD AVR, however, was a tank, which I eventually sold after many years of good service. Perhaps you could get an extended service agreement if you really want to give the Cambridge a go.I’m conflicted because it seems at the price point that reviews are saying the Cambridge AXA35 beats out the NAD in a lot of sectors but now I’m concerned it’s going to break on me. Are they that unreliable?
I wouldn’t touch another CA product with a ten foot pole. And @ZiggsMBK said the one he auditioned didn’t sound good either. The phono stage I had did sound good (for what it was- a $200 phono stage) until it self destructed. So there’s two customer data points for you.I’m conflicted because it seems at the price point that reviews are saying the Cambridge AXA35 beats out the NAD in a lot of sectors but now I’m concerned it’s going to break on me
But @displayname likes his CA music server. To be fair, it’s a much more expensive piece and a lot of digital gear sounds very similar- the difference in much of it is cosmetics and the user interface.
@Ghost I found it, here’s the quote from @Smansmith :
I have just extracted myself from Cambridge Audio as of this week. Had an integrated amp - right channel crapped out, but fine while it lasted (replaced with a NAD), had CA phono (it was basic for my MC cart, swapped for a Moon) and no longer need the CXN streamer due to BluOS module in the NAD. Very happy with the results thus far. I know @HiFi Guy warned (me) and I finally listened.
I have just extracted myself from Cambridge Audio as of this week. Had an integrated amp - right channel crapped out, but fine while it lasted (replaced with a NAD), had CA phono (it was basic for my MC cart, swapped for a Moon) and no longer need the CXN streamer due to BluOS module in the NAD. Very happy with the results thus far. I know @HiFi Guy warned (me) and I finally listened.
Im going to take that last sentence as direct foreshadowing and spring for the NAD lol. Thanks for the advice @HiFi Guy@Ghost I found it, here’s the quote from @Smansmith :
I have just extracted myself from Cambridge Audio as of this week. Had an integrated amp - right channel crapped out, but fine while it lasted (replaced with a NAD), had CA phono (it was basic for my MC cart, swapped for a Moon) and no longer need the CXN streamer due to BluOS module in the NAD. Very happy with the results thus far. I know @HiFi Guy warned (me) and I finally listened.
displayname
Well-Known Member
I have heard some complaints about reliability, which is a valid concern.
I personally have a CXN and CXC and have been very happy with those 2 products. I also like the sound of most of their gear. But I will also say I wouldn't go above the 851 line. While the Edge stuff doesn't sound bad, it's massively over priced and easily out performed in its price class. At the current prices I'd actually suggest stretching to 851 over the CX series, but that's also getting well outside of Ghost's budget. But as far as integrated amps, there are a lot of options at that price point. I think it's good to consider those too.
Anyway, my main point wasn't so much of pro or con on Cambridge. More that I take Whathifi reviews with an ever bigger grain of salt than most reviews. Especially if they are reviewing a product from a UK company.