To Grannyring. I had a interesting discussion last night with an AG member selling a Cambridge 840C. I mentioned to him I had no interest in computer audio and the features on the 840C or the newer 851C. He honestly declared that if I had no interest in computer audio, then just stick with my Rega Apollo player because there would be only a marginal improvement in sound quality, and reduction of digital glare with 840C. This type of testimonial about a Rega player should have stopped me dead in my quest for better sound; I know full well the sonic capabilities of the Rega, however, I can't agree with him, and the corollary to my disagreement is I am not comfortable with spending $4000-5000 to make a 15-20% jump in sound quality, IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT CAN BE MEASURED IN PERCENTAGES.
I e-mailed him about the 840C on sale after commenting on this thread about the Romulus. I later realized that his point was probably accurate for the Sony XA5400 ES player highly praised in several magazines. The major improvement in sound quality I am looking may be only had by way of the Romulus, or lest expensive players like Rega Isis ($5600), the Ayre CX7emp2 ($3500), or the ARC CD-5(approx. $5,000). The cited players can be purchased used on AG for less than what you scored the Romulus with upgrades, $4200
This leads me to a point about the Aethetix company and pricing. I have read in TAS that this is virtually a 3-4 man operation working out of a reconverted large garage. One has to think that this mode of production, besides the claim of incorporating mil spec or NASA spec parts, accounts for the $7000 to $10,000 price tags of their CD players. Point to point soldering by one or two technicians must account for high labor costs.
However, there must be a less expensive way to build an equally outstanding CD player for $3000-$4000, that would be almost hafted in priced as a "USED" item on AG.
I never auditioned a player above the $2500 range, and so can't declare upon hearing the Romulus, or even less exalted players "....OMG!!! that is a great freakin CD player". (BTW, the Ayre CX-7emp2 usually sells used for $1600-1800.) Obviously Granny, you may have heard these top dogs I noted, and said fuck it, I will set my sights on the Romulus whether standard or upgraded.
As I see it, companies like Aethetix produce great products at high prices because their rationale is that worn out excuse ".... our products are virtually hand made, using only the best parts, and also directly demonstrate the designer's engineering genius"
Wonderful sentiments, but backward in terms of today's cost efficient production technology. I think great (not just very good) CD players can be produced at lower costs, and therefore offered at a lower retail price.
Sometimes, I think audio enthusiasts and audiophiles romantizise small production operations as a guarantee of outstanding build quality, and of course, outstanding sound that stands far above even less expensive components manufactured on production line. In my opinion, I think this is an unsustainiable myth that functions as a cover for gouging audio customers who want only the best.
