First, I'd like to preface my comments by saying I liked this player quite a bit. Now, I can nitpick ;-)
I was comparing it primarily to the Rega planet (as others have). I thought the planet had a much more laid-back, non-fatiguing presentation (no revelation here- I think the rega is one of the least fatiguing players I've ever heard). Sadly, there really wasn't anything I liked better about the Arcam's sound. I wanted to like this player. I was attracted to its upgrade paths and price tag... but, it just sounded more digital and harsh than the Rega... I could live with either sound, but I liked the Rega's warmth. This is going to depend on your taste and system though... the Rega asks you to give up a little resolution in exchange for its warmth... I'm still not sure the Arcam is more detailed... i heard it just as more harsh, but this is a listening bias.

I also tried both as a transports feeding my Musical Fidelity X24k DAC. Now, the MF products frighten me. I fear by buying them, I am selling bits of my soul or something, as it is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get sound like that of the x24k from a 500.00 DAC... but, there it is! MF did it! Well, back to the Arcam and the Rega... as transports, as might be expected with two quality players, sonic difference became negligible. The Arcam sounded still a bit shrill on the high notes, but the rega sounded a bit more recessed... (not muffled, recessed) but, this is fanatical listening. In both cases, I though the MF DAC sounded better than the onboards (the planet was only beat by a whisker... I though the X24k was indeed more detailed, but a little more unforgiving... a very analytical DAC).

The build quality of the Rega wins-no contest. Quite frankly, I though both of the players were strikingly ugly, but the the Rega is built like a tank. It's marveously engineered and provides a very stable disc enviorment. The Arcam isn't really built like a 700.00 dollar player, in my opinion. The transport is far from silent and the body is not fitted together very well.

Well, I was considering learning to live with the Arcam and saving 100.00 dollars, but I found a dealer who sold planets for 680.00 delivered, and I couldn't find an Arcam for less than 650.00, so I went for the Planet... it seemed a good deal, and it was my first choice in the price range.

This review may confuse some of you who may have read what I wrote about the Pioneer PD-65. Indeed, I did love that player, and hoped to get one, but I couldn't find a dealer able to procure me one in any reasonable preiod of time... I went for the planet and saved some time and money.

I had the opportunity to review the Arcam Alpha 7 and compared it with the NAD 314. The NAD was fluid and smooth sounding with good mid range. It lacks a bit in dynamic extension. Even with the soft clipping feature off, the bass was lacking and the highs were thin. This product did not create much of a sound stage either. The musicians sounded as if they had lined up against a wall while playing. The source was a Rega Planet and the speakers were from Ruark. I listened to several CDs on this system. I then heard the same set up with the Arcam Alpha 7. There were some significant differences. Immediately, you'll notice much deeper bass, and better extension in the higher ranges. The sound stage became more three domensional, as this unit provided more depth to the sound. The draw back was a much thinner midrange than the NAD. Vocalists sonically appeared to be in the background. There was also a graininess to the sound that was not apparent with the NAD. I did not want to turn the volume up too much.
I may sound a bit harsh. These are two pretty good amps considering they are both less than $500. I like both of them better than the highly touted Rotel RA970BX. I give the nod to the Arcam over the NAD.

I've had it for about a year now, and still think it's great. I think it'sbetter than the Marantz CD63SE (not so laid-back, but I haven't compared it
to the newer 67SE) and a think the bass is more controlled than on the Sony XA2ES and XE900. There has been som problems, though: high-frequent noise when playing, and once in a while it sounded like the cd was scratced. I had to take it back to the dealer twice before they found the error, but I now have a new pick-up mechanism, and everything works fine again.

I'm not sure how to describe the sound (which I suppose is good - it's neutral),
but I think it has the same qualities as the 63SE (lots of detail, "solid"-sounding), but a bit more "forward-sounding", and maybe a bit more controlled in the bass (at least on
Mad Professor/Lee Perry: Super Ape Inna Jungle :-)

Track access is quite fast, it can be programmed while playing, and everything is easily operated by the remote. The dimmer for the dislpay is, of course,
the most important feature...

If you are going to buy a cd player in this price range, you should definately listen to the Alpha 7. With the price in mind, it's a 5-star.

Got first Arcam Alpha7 two weeks ago. After a while the transport mechanismstarted meking a "wewewewewewewwe" sound in tracks 2/3 of several cds. Tried
everything, moved speakers, moved amp, took the cd to another room just to see
if it would do the noise when not connected, and yes, there it was, "wewewewewing" like mad. Always in tracks 2/3 of some (quite a few) records.
Some other cds from a friend also do the "wewewewew".
Took a second Alpha7 cd from dealer. First and second day, ok. Third day
NO NO NO NO, the "wewewewewewe" again!
I am about to return this second arcam Alpha7 (and the Alpha 8 Amp too)
and not because of the sound - it is beautiful, detailed and it is what I want,
but just because of this "wewewewee" that drives me mad.
Low quality transport mechanism? Lack of quality control?
Well... For the sound, it is veeeeeery good. But make sure that you test it
in silent with a lot of records making sure that there is nothing wrong with
it.