Cambridge Audio 840 Series CD Player, Stereo Preamplifier, and Stereo Power Amplifier

Larry Hryshko

My wife, who I affectionately refer to as "the music Anti-Christ" often calls me "He without Brains" when it comes to purchasing audio gear. Our latest interchange of pleasantries began when I announced that I needed a new CD player in the $1500 to $2000 range.  She found one at Costco for considerably less than a hundred bucks and thought I would be very pleased.  "You just don't get it" I said, to which she replied "Neither will you".  I think she meant it in so many ways.

CD Players

CD Reviews – August, 2009

Jason Victor Serinus

Why did we have to wait until after Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's passing to receive so many live, un-doctored documents of her greatness? The live 2004 Ravinia performance of her husband Peter Lieberson's Rilke Songs (Bridge) was the first to arrive after the San Francisco-born mezzo died of cancer on July 3, 2006 at age 52. Then came her November 2005 live performance of Lieberson's Neruda Songs (Nonesuch).

CD Music Reviews

Benchmark ADC1 USB Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

Rick Schmidt

The pro-audio company Benchmark has a firm foothold in the audiophile world with their digital to analog converter/headphone amp the DAC1 and DAC1 USB. These have been universally well reviewed, including here at Secrets, and I've been able to listen to them myself, and I concur with the positive reports.

DACs

Spendor A5 Floor-standing Speakers

Brian Florian

Ah...British Hi-Fi. Say no more and an entire wing of audiophiles suddenly get giddy. When I was offered a pair of speakers for review from Spendor, renowned speaker manufacturer since 1969, I simply had to take advantage and hear for myself the state of British Hi-Fi today.

Floor Standing Speakers