I have a new pair of KEF Q5 and need amp/cd. 

Having read my fair share of reveiws I have picked Rotel 04 amp and Arcam CD 73. I have a budget of up to £600 and these two are available at £480. does this seem a good choice or are there better choices to go with KEF s ??

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark,

I had a lend of the Arcam cd73t over a weekend. It certainly is a good cd player. It is on the warm side of neutral. It is easy to listen too, detailed. I did find it good on Jazz and classical but seem to lack a little get up and go (punch) and sparkle for rock and top 10 music. As long as your system isnt to warm in the first place. I would say the cd player is relaxing but maybe not exciting enough for some tastes. In the right system the Arcam shines though. It does sound like a good price.

Sorry I cant comment on the other gear but I have some older Rotel gear- which is quite neutral and decent sound quality. Always have a listen before you buy- take along your favorite cd's and try it out on the system your interested in.

All the best

Steve.

Thanks Steve for your helpful points - have listened to C Audio locally ,and Rotel but neither

dealer had the speakers I have!

I am new to hifi and wouldn't know how to evaluate whether system is neutral/warm.

Can anyone who has these speakers comment on what might bring best out from these

KEF Q5s?

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark,

Sorry about the terms Mark. After awhile when you compare components you will pick up certain characteristics of them. Some may tend towards brightness (on the extreme side it may sound harsh or cold) others warm (on the extreme it may sound dull or boring) others will be very balanced or neutral.

When i was looking to buy cd player, i compared the cambridge 640cv2 with the arcam cd73t. The cambridge was leaner, brighter sounding unit. Good for uptempo but not so good for classical etc, the reverse for the arcam. I would say the cambridge is on the brighter sider of neutral and the arcam slightly on the warmer side. System matching is important - matching the components to your speaker - so listening to the cd player with the speakers you are choosing so it is well balanced to what you like.

Sorry have not heard the new Kef. In the 80's they tended more to be laid back in there sound.

Cheers,

Steve.

Hi Mark,

I agree with icehockeyboy - recently the rotel cd player beat the cambridge 640cv2 and won the best of the cheaper cd players in Hifi world magazine.

Cheers,

Steve.

Thanks - bought Arcam CD 73 mainly due to price and availability - now looking 4 amp !

Good prices on Arcam A70 & A90 will prob go with one of them unless something else comes up.

Appreciate help!

Ta

Mark

Hi,

Second that - Rotel make good budget and mid- fi  amps.

Cheers,

 Steve.

Thanks. Willl update.

Mark