Cambridge CP2 phono stage, any users ?

[steve-z]

I’m just wondering if anyone on the forum is using the latest Cambridge phono stage the CP2, I’m particularly interested in how it performs with MC cartridges ? With it being such a new model there are no magazine reviews about it as yet, has anybody got one and can comment ?


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[Bazil]

There are 6 reviews on Richer Sounds , the last one concerning MC cart.

https://www.richersounds.com/cambridge-cp2-black.html

[steve-z]

There are 6 reviews on Richer Sounds , the last one concerning MC cart.

https://www.richersounds.com/cambridge-cp2-black.html

Yes I noticed them before and the comment about the low gain so I’ve decided to get the Rega Phono MC which has 2 gain settings as well as adjustable load impedance and capacitance, even on the lower of the 2 gain settings it has 8.5dbs more gain than the Cambridge and overall it’s a more complete package, but obviously at a higher price.


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[steve-z]

Well things don’t always go to plan, a couple of days ago I returned the Rega fully intending to walk out of the shop with a new one, only to be told they had none in stock and they were unsure of when they’d get anymore in, disappointing [emoji53]
As it turned out it was a blessing in disguise as the following day I had a serious failure of the electrics in my house which needed the help of an emergency electrician, who sorted the problem(s) out but at quite a considerable cost, had I bought the Rega the day before I would have been really struggling to cover the cost.
Due to what I had to pay out the Rega became a no go, so I went with the backup plan and bought the CP2 earlier today.
Initial impressions are very favorable considering I’m suffering from a bad cold atm and my hearing is not at its best. By my estimation the CP2 is every bit as good as the Rega and is totally faultless across the board, if anything the CP2 may have very slightly more at the very top, giving just a bit more sheen to cymbals which I really like. The lower gain is not really a problem, just turn up the volume on the amp a bit more, noise floor is vanishingly low too. Be nice to hear it at its full potential when I get rid of this damned cold [emoji30]


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[walpurgis]

I've always regarded the Cambridge Audio phono stages as being respectable. Certainly better than anything else I've heard for that kind of money.

[Primalsea]

I do think that CA gets a bit of an unfair bashing at times. I have had a look at the 651p circuit that the CP2 replaced and it looked very well thought out. I imagine that the CP2 is an even more tweaked version. From another manufacturer you would be paying 4 or 5 times more and often you can for something that is far more basic.

[steve-z]

Into my 3rd day of listening with the CP2, so far I have to say I’m impressed with the replay quality in combination with my Audio Technica ATF7. I’m wondering if I could glean a bit more of an improvement by changing the interconnect cable between the CP2 and my CXA60 amplifier, due to the relative position of my components I have to use a 3M long cable and an inexpensive one bought off ebay, unfortunately at this length “audiophile” cables tend to be very costly so I’ve been having a look round online and came across UGREEN cables which seem well reviewed and very reasonably priced. On that basis and the fact that they look extremely well made I went ahead and ordered one from Amazon which hopefully I should get before Christmas, be interesting to see what difference it makes.


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[Stryder5]

Have you thought of making your own?

Klotz MC5000 cable at less than £3 per metre and RCA plugs of your choice ( KLEI Copper Harmony I found good).

For around £70 or so may be as good as it gets in performance, unless you pay a lot more money.




Into my 3rd day of listening with the CP2, so far I have to say I’m impressed with the replay quality in combination with my Audio Technica ATF7. I’m wondering if I could glean a bit more of an improvement by changing the interconnect cable between the CP2 and my CXA60 amplifier, due to the relative position of my components I have to use a 3M long cable and an inexpensive one bought off ebay, unfortunately at this length “audiophile” cables tend to be very costly so I’ve been having a look round online and came across UGREEN cables which seem well reviewed and very reasonably priced. On that basis and the fact that they look extremely well made I went ahead and ordered one from Amazon which hopefully I should get before Christmas, be interesting to see what difference it makes.


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[steve-z]

Have you thought of making your own?

Klotz MC5000 cable at less than £3 per metre and RCA plugs of your choice ( KLEI Copper Harmony I found good).

For around £70 or so may be as good as it gets in performance, unless you pay a lot more money.

I’ve made up cables before with Klotz cable but not the one you mentioned, I think I used the AC110 if memory serves, which was pretty thin and may suffer a bit at longer lengths, I’ll have to investigate the type you mention, thanks.


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[Stryder5]

If I remember correctly one of the important factors is capacitance, perhaps the thickness of the cable is not as relevant. If I'm wrong someone will no doubt correct me.:)




I’ve made up cables before with Klotz cable but not the one you mentioned, I think I used the AC110 if memory serves, which was pretty thin and may suffer a bit at longer lengths, I’ll have to investigate the type you mention, thanks.


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[Infinitely Baffled]

I have had very good experience with Rothwell Audio's "The River" interconnect. Very well made, very low capacitance and easy to handle. Goes without saying, it performs very well too. Not expensive - I think my 4 metre stereo pair (passive pre to power amplifier) came in at about £130. Could be a bit more now, I suppose, but a definite winner and very good value.
IB

[Bigman80]

Have you thought of making your own?

Klotz MC5000 cable at less than £3 per metre and RCA plugs of your choice ( KLEI Copper Harmony I found good).

For around £70 or so may be as good as it gets in performance, unless you pay a lot more money.I've done A LOT of experimental cabling in my system and I agree that the Klotz are VERY good value, however, they are bettered in my system by Brian's cables and by my own build cables. It's well worth experimenting and for the money, Klotz are a great cable with a well deserved reputation. I used them for ages.

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[Dylanthecat]

Been using the CP2 (£120 new) for a year or so now and I have no compliants though recently been playing with a new Yaqin valve phono pre using CV4004 tubes (MM only though) which I find to be very engaging, especially given an all in cost of under £200.
In fact just ordered another though I really need to invest in cart upgrades on my TD124s - SME 3012 & '09.
I also feel that CA sometimes don't recieve the credit they are due in some circles.
Martin

[steve-z]

Well the UGREEN cables arrived a couple of days ago and are now in use, for a relatively inexpensive cable it seems pretty well made, what little useful listening I’ve done so far I can only say it definitely hasn’t degraded the SQ, as to whether it’s any better than the old cheap cable I won’t know until I’ve shaken off the lousy cold I’ve been suffering from for the past 9 days and I can get back my proper hearing level [emoji853]


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[struth]

got a few ugreen cables... seem good