Arcam CD93

Sheer listenability

By Michael Jones

December 2003

Arcam CD93. $3699

Arcam CD93

When Arcam released their CD82 compact disc player in 2002 it seemed like an aberration. After spending several years proclaiming the goodness of the Ring DAC (Arcam developed an affordable chip solution along with inventors dCS) the CD82 came with a chip set from Wolfson, a company that I'd never heard of previously.

But instead of an aberration, the CD82 pointed firmly towards the future for Arcam's CD players. The very tasty CD33 from the FMJ range features Wolfson DACs, along with this new model in the DiVA range, the CD93.

As the name suggests, the CD93 replaces the older CD92, a player of which I have no experience. You'd need to peer closely at the player to know which model it is - all of the CD players in the DiVA range look alike from a casual glance. Indeed, it appears that Arcam are still using a picture of the older model on the CD93 page on their web site!

Inside story

The CD93 is one of a new breed of upsampling CD players that have recently appeared. The CD93 uses an Analog Devices sampling rate converter to u psample the 16 bit 44.1 kHz CD data to 24 bit 192 kHz data. Four top of the range Wolfson DACs running at 192kHz convert from digital to analog.

So why upsample? I've seen all sorts of claims made, many of which I don't even pretend to understand. But there is at least one good technical reason. Upsampling allows much more gentle filters to be used which, many would argue, can do nothing but good.

Arcam have a policy of allowing their CD players to be upgraded from one model to the next, wherever possible. The CD82, for example, can be upgraded into a CD93.

On the outside, the CD93 contains two sets of audio outputs on the back panel, which can be useful for multi-room situations. The front panel has the basic controls, while a substantial full function remote control, which also drives Arcam amplifiers, is also supplied.

Understated excellence

Let me state from the outset that the CD93 is not the most immediate of CD players. It won't hit you over the head with slamming dynamics and in-your-face sound.

Instead this is a player that sneaks up on you with its understated excellence. Initially the CD93 may sound somewhat reserved, particularly in comparison with some CD players which can be a bit more upfront. But give the Arcam a few minutes and it starts to weave its magic.

You'll find that the Arcam is an involving and increasingly enjoyable CD player the longer you listen to music through it. Instead of thrusting music at you, the CD93 wraps you up in it.

There is an abundance of low level detail available from the CD93. While some CD players paint with broad brush strokes, the CD93 reproduces all the subtle detail that makes music sound more real.

I'm always fascinated how different CD players or amplifiers treat the rhythmic information on CD. Some equipment seem like a geeky uncoordinated guy, while through other equipment rhythms flow smoothly and without pause, while still other equipment sound also robotically metronomic.

Like everything else with the CD93, pace, rhythm and timing of music is not overt, but instead full of subtle detail. Almost organic.

Arcam versus Arcam

Thanks to the guys from Smiths Sound, I had the opportunity of a lengthy and interesting comparison between the CD93 and the next model down, the $2499 CD82. We were using Arcam's new A80 amplifier and speakers from Kef's Q Series.

At first I wondered if there were that many differences in the sound between the units but, as often happens, the longer one listens, the more one hears.

The Arcam CD82 is a fine CD player, but the 93 has more of... well, everything. There was more solidity, power and (especially) dynamics in the bass. There was more low level detail and a sense of involvement in the music.

Buying decisions

Given the strong performance of CD players under $2000 (AudioEnz has reviewed the NAD 541i, Rotel RCD-1070, Arcam CD62T, Rega Planet and Marantz CD7300) a CD player at $3699 has to offer something special to make good buying sense.

The Arcam CD93 does. The sense of ease, wealth of subtle information and sheer listenability make this a strong contender.

For your nearest Arcam dealer

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