Cambridge Audio D500 – Compact Disc Player

Description

Cambridge Audio D500 – Compact Disc Player

A quality CD player in excellent physical condition and full working order. This plays badly scratched CDR’s without missing a beat.

Comes with original remote control and cable.

Cambridge Audio is a Company that has been able to find its place into the HiFi market thanks to a series of affordable, good sounding and audiophile on a budget-oriented products.
The UK-based Company doesn’t try to make everything, just few things at its best. As for CD players, Cambridge Audio makes three models only: the entry-level D300, the D500 and the D500SE

The Cambridge D500 is a CD player aimed to the beginner audiohile, someone who wishes to build a good sounding system without mortgaging his house for the second time. This player is not something built in the backyard as some UK-made audiophile components of the Eighties. No, this is a well designed and made product, something built to last. Though designed and engineered in the UK, the D500 – to cut manufacturing costs – is actually made in PRC, that is Popular Republic of China.

Technically, the D500 is a player which makes use of a Delta-Sigma D/A conversion, good Sony transport and servos, a solid power supply and a good analog output stage. It sports two digital outputs, one electrical (with a BNC) and one optical (TosLink), gold-plated RCA output connectors, a detachable power cord (with IEC outlet!) though no phone output is available.
The writings in the rear panel are “upside-down” so that they are clearly readable when looking at the rear from above, as we always do.
The front panel is minimalist though a touch of finesse is given by the usual (very Cambridge-style) jog-dial knob that allows track skipping, fast forward, progressive track selection etc.)
A great care has been taken in order to reduce jitter (claimed to be better than 180 ps. – weighted mode) and to improve signal/noise ratio (claimed to be 110 dB).
The Cambridge D500 also offers a complete remote control and four feet with internal soft-rubber core, good to reduce vibrations.
The CD player has a standard size (43 x 30 x 8 cm) and a reasonable weight, the quality of the crafsmanship is good.

Dynamics, pace and timing
The “smooth” behaviour of the D500 does not influence its performance in the dynamics department. It can deliver enough energy to follow even the most dynamic-demanding musical programs, though it is exactly an explosive performer.
It does even better in the microdynamics department, thanks to the very good quality of the high range. Tiny details and small variations are easily unveiled by the Cambridge D500, it is nota magnifying glass, though.