Cambridge 840c vs. Bryston BCD-1 vs. Ayre CX-7e


I’m looking for a new CD player in the $1500-$3000 bracket. As my Sonic Frontiers Line 3 preamp definitely sounds best when run fully balanced, I’ve narrowed my search to a player with balanced out.

Besides the much discussed relative merits of the Cambridge Audio Azur 840c, Bryston BCD-1 and Ayre CX-7e, I’d welcome opinions on the following two specific questions.

(1) As my budget maxes out at 3K, would it be better to:

(a) get the Cambridge and splurge on 2 pairs of up-to-date balanced interconnects (possible candidates include: Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II; PS Audio xStream Resolution Transcendent; Synergistic Research Alpha Sterling Discrete)? or

(b) get the Bryston or Ayre and stick (for the moment at least) with my (original version) balanced AudioQuest Emerald cables?

(2) are there any other balanced-out players out there in this price bracket that I’ve overlooked and should be considering? (For instance, the Cary CDP-1, though it doesn’t seem to have been as well received as my other three contenders.)

Thanks to all.
128x128twoleftears
Sorry for the late response Sthomas12321, I don't think there is a .v2 840c (yet), the one I was using was current.

It did not stay in my system too long as the HF were unacceptable and really unlistenable in my system. While they were extended I found them to have a piercing nature that was extremely fatiguing and the soundstage was not very coherent in comparison to either the Ayre or the musical fidelity that I had.

The CX-7e version is a setup from the CX-7, which I found to be somewhat rolled off in the HF but even so worlds better then the 840c. The CX-7e does not suffer that issue and is truly a great cdp...

Chris Kline
Tel Wire
I have the 840c in a fairly 'bright' system, using PSAudio integrated and Magnepans. The balanced on the 840 DOES help low end definition. And I went 'cheapo' on my 1st set of Balanced cables.....a quick trip down to Guitar Center for some Mogami studio / instrument cables.
As is usual, the RCA shipped with the CA is near-worthless.