Typical traits - nothing too exciting

Casework is cheap for it's price range

This is a "nice" player but does not deservve the "great" player ratings. I am in the market for a new player and compared this to all of the players in it's price rage. Although it does the job well, to me, it lacks dynamics. I would classify it as "polite" - detailed but polite. That's not a bad thing, it just depends what you like as in anything. I played it through the BAT VK300, CJ LS14/MF2250 and the MF 308. Switching over to the Carey 306 showed more life and dynamics. The MF 308 CD player showed even more dynamics. The soundstage was okay - forward and faily wide but the MF 308 threw it against the walls and more up front - more musical. The build quality is only fair - I'm particualr about that since I have Jeff Rowland amps. The chassis is heavy but it's all on the inside - the casework is mainly the weak part - too thin. For it's price, there's better out there now - it's starting to show it's age (IMHO). For just a bit more money, you enter a much more exciting range of product - see the Simaudio Nova, MF or Carey products.

Similar Products Used:

Musical Fidelity, Naim, Carey, Rega, Simaudio, Creek, Classe

Superb sound quality Build

No balanced outputs The remote does not quite match the quality of the player

For some time already, I have had plans of upgrading the front end of my digital set. I have used Arcam 7se for a few years now, and even if I think it is quite a bargain, there are some problems with it; it is a bit too bright and thin for my taste, and tends to produce some fatigue. When I first started the upgrade project, I had a number of different alternatives, both separate DACs and CDPs. The final candidates were S.A.T. CDfix, Rega Jupiter 2000, and Arcam FMJ CD23. All of these had their merits, as well as shortcomings. The Rega, even if dressed to kill, provided not as much detail as I would have wanted. The decision between the Arcam and the S.A.T. was not as easy. DCfix's clear advantage over the Arcam was its balanced outputs. Another, but much less clear, advantage was its appearance. Besides being a bit more "massive", it fits better with my amp than the arcam. However, at the end of the day, Arcam won my sympathies because of its amazing sound. The CDfix came very very close, but there just was something about that Arcam--something that completely won me over. Okay, on with the sound, then. It is quite unfair to compare the 7se with the FMJ because of their prices, but I will write this review with the 7se as the point of reference, since I amso familiar with the way it sounds. Compared to the 7se, the improvement that I got to the sound of my system with the FMJ was quite audible indeed. Dynamics, soundstage, detail, liquidity, bass control--all came out better. Compared to the 7se's slightly compressed and "stuffed" sonic image, the FMJ both widens, deepens, and stabilizes the soundstage. The "dark" spots between the instruments are easy to detect, so there is plenty of air in the soundscape. The amount of detail is on a completely different level. There are both completely new sounds and old sounds which make sense in a new way. For instance, the vibrations of percussions--a whole different ball game with the FMJ than with the 7se. However, and what impresses me a great deal, the FMJ is still able to produce a soft, silky treble, and one can listen to that player for hours and hours without fatigue. In my books this means a truly great balance between analyticity and easiness. As the 7se is a bit feeble, the FMJ gives much more body to the music. This is easily detectible in the bass region and midrange. The realism of the vocals with the FMJ is something almost uncanny. All in all, this player could probably (is that vague enough?) be my last CD player. There might be new formats in the future, but this baby is the one I want to use with my old CD collection, and I have a hunch that a lot of water will flow under the bridge before I start to look for a new home for this superb player. It should be noted, as others have done as well, that the FMJ seems to require quite a bit of breaking in. The decision of purchasing one was based on listening to a broken-in one, and the sound was not like that with the one freshly taken out of the box. Well, I take it that a week of continuous playing will fix the glitch. Rest of the set: Amp: Primare A30.1 Speakers: B&W Nautilus 804 Audioquest cabling

Similar Products Used:

(Arcam 7se), S.A.T. CDfix, Rega Jupiter 2000

Analog like sound. Very smooth

none

Unquestionably one of the best CD players out there. Smooth and detailed,very musical.(See Absolute Sound Review) Audiophile power cord definitely improves sound. (I'm using HT Pro Ac 11)If you're looking for a killer CD player, you need not look any further. Some say its a little lacking in the bass area. I did not find this to be true, quite the contrary. Bass is very good! Highly recommended!!!

Great sound. You can turn the green LED display off. Comes in black (I got a black unit). Great finish.

Ergonomics (control keys and the layout) could have been much better.

I will not write a thousand words. Have seen a lot of CD players, and have heard quite a bit. I had hard time choosing between a CD player and a DVD/CD player, as I am still not clear about the future winning format (DVD-A vs SACD). However, after hearing Arcam CD23, my faith in 16bit/44.1KHz CDs was restored, and in what way! I just got CD23T (with CD txt option), and the sound of it is AMAZING. I know that there might be better CD players out there, but it takes another 5K to 6K (US$) to really beat this Arcam''s baby. Wow factor is definitely there. I am VERY happy I did not listen to the salesman recommedning Linn Genki (not much different than my Pioneer DV-05 DVD/CD player), and paid extra money to get Arcam FMJ CD23T. Oh, what a sound! Oh, what a sound! I am rediscovering my ~1000 CDs collection. Well, DVDs can wait. CDs, here I come again...

Similar Products Used:

Roksan. Linn Genki. Arcam CD72. Arcam DV88.

Detail and soundstage, a very peculiar "sound" which brings music to life but may not be everyones cup of tea

Bit weak on the bass. And why does one have to buy new feet and a new powercord for a megabuck cd player??

Not going to repeat all the positive comments below ... this player rocks and brings music to life. Just wanted to share a couple of experiences: - I have never had a CD player which SO much changes during the break-in period, which lasts for about a week (!). In the beginning, the player was dull and actually had big gaping holes in the frequency spectrum. Now it is as transparent as any of the great ones out there ... - Before you do anyting else, pull out those pathetic plastic feet, replace them with Audioquest Big Feet or something similar and put the whole thing on a granite block. "Aaah" number one. - Pull out the 3-bucks power cord they dare to deliver with this expensive CD player and replace it ... not with a tow style big powercord but with a properly shielded 14 gauge cable as they do them (for example) at Sonic Horizon. I also had good results with the Harmonic Tech Pro-11 power cord, which produces a different, very clear and analytical sound. Whichever way you go: It is "Aaah" number 2. Have fun.

Soundstage, balance, impressive midrange

Remote

A very serious looking player (mine is silver), solid, nothing fancy or exceptional. The remote was a disappointment; soft plastic, batteries rattling inside, too many and too small buttons. But then, the sound. Excellent overall balance. Very good soundstage: wide and deep. The mids are fantastic; vocals sound very good. Especially, a capella groups like "The Real Group" or "Rajaton" (Boundless)are a pleasure to listen to. The price in Finland is absolutely hideous (the poor exchange rate, the figure above is in USD)! Tried the CD23 out on a long weekend at home and found out I just had keep it. My system: Classe CAP101 integr. amp Amphion Argon (Excellent Finnish 2-way speaker!) Taralabs RSC Reference Gen II interconnects Analysis Oval 12 (10 feet) speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

Philips CD850MKII, Sony XB940 SACD player

Detail, Transparency,Vocals,Natural sound.

None

I bought the Arcam FJM after being impressed with it''s abilities in so many areas I spent double my allocated sum to add it to my hi fi system.The sound is open and detailed with a superb sense of transparency.Vocals were portrayed in a manner way ahead of the competing players I listened to after deciding to move up to this level and in all other areas important to me the FMJ came out in front.If you are looking for a player in this price range do not miss listening to the FMJ T.I got mine in black and it looks superb,it is also the new version with text etc.and according to the dealer is a step up from the older version.I think the older version would still be quite a player but this new one is tops with me.Listen and buy!

Similar Products Used:

Linn Genki,Naim 5.

Build, Ring DAC, Looks (for my wife)

Remote

I was in the market for a CD player to replace my Yamaha CDC-775 (a 5 disc changer) which was convenient, but a bit lacking on sound. I auditioned many players in my neighborhood hi-fi store and narrowed it down to the Rotel 991 (great soundstage but edgy), the Marantz (cheap but smooth sound) and the ARCAM Alpha 9 (best sounding of the three). Although the Rotel and the Marantz were significantly cheaper, I was really attracted to the Alpha 9--there was a lack of grain that I found to be very unusual for a CD player. The player sounded extremely smooth without loss of detail. The soundstage was deep AND wide, not forward like the other players.

Well, my wife was with me when I decided on the Alpha 9 and you can imagine the expression on her face when she saw what you got for $1599. The clever salesman quickly pointed out that you can take home THIS player for only $280 more. Ten minutes later, I'm the happy owner of the ARCAM fMj CD23 in all of its stainless steel glory. I never did any A/B comparisons with the Alpha 9 and the CD23 but I'm so happy with my CD23, I can honestly say that this is the last CD player that I'll every buy, considering the new formats at the starting gate (i.e. SACD and DVD-A).

The remote is plastic but functional but the abscence of a power button is slightly irritating, I must admit. I have my player on four #2 Vibrapod isolators directly under the feet and they fit quite nicely, I must say. If you own any of the ARCAM CD players, I hightly recommend this cheap upgrade, the reduction in vibration to the casing is remarkable.

I kept my Yamaha changer. I have it connected to the digital input to my receiver (the fMj to the analog). The difference in every aspect of the sound is so obvious its comical, to say the least. People jokingly ask me if I would rather have six Yamaha changers or one ARCAM fMj. Very funny. I tell them niether. When I listen, it's to the ARCAM. I'll use the Yamaha for dinner parties.

My stuff:
Yamaha RXV 795a
Yamaha CDC 775
ARCAM fMj CD23
Transparent 100 interconnect
Paradigm Studio 40 v2 mains
DH Labs T-14 SilverSonic biwire cables with bananas
DVD player, surround speakers, blah, blah, blah.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 991, Marantz CD-67SE, ARCAM Alpha 9, Yamaha CDC-775

Detailed, relaxed, dynamic, involving sound

No balanced output

I was able to compare the CD23 A/B/A to the Meridian 508.24 in two separate listening sessions and can tell you that the Meridian although difficult to fault has no distinct advantage over the CD23. I think it is really true that the CD23 digs a lot of detail out of the digital information, including the ambient stuff that helps creates distinct images that are firmly anchored. When I listen to Jazz cuts that are dynamic and involved with multiple instruments and vocals the CD23 stays relaxed and holds the images together very well. The overall sound is very involving. I am listening to my whole music collection and hearing things that I have not heard before. If you can’t stretch your budget to the CD23 definitely listen to the Alpha 9.

Associated Equipment:

Bryston 4BST amp
Bryston BP25 preamp
Bryston interconnects
DH Labs Q10 speaker wire
Dynaudio Confidence 5 speakers

Similar Products Used:

Meridian, Rotel, Linn, Cal Audio, Sony, Primare, Thule, Audio Analogue.

Great looks and build quality. Sound quality rivals some of the best out there, regardless of price.

cheap looking plastic remote seems out of place with such a finely built machine. No balanced outputs.

I first encountered the CD23 after several weeks of listening to various players at local dealers, and crusing the web for used Wadia and Meridian players. I had read all the great reviews on the Alpha 9, and found out that one of the dealers in my area had just picked up the Arcam line.

When I stopped in, the dealer didn't have the Alpha 9 in stock, but they were demonstrating the CD23 with ARC seperates, and Audio Physic Tempo III's. I had never heard of the FMJ line, which I was told stands for "full metal jacket", and the dealer explained that this was a highly upgraded version of the Alpha 9.

The upgrades include a new motherboard, and a totally new power supply configuration. A high quality toroidal transformer was added to supply the 24 bit Ring DAC converter board. The chassis is made from a special vibration damping laminated material, with a machined 8mm thick aluminium alloy front panel.

The build quality of this player really is impressive, but ultimately all that really matters is the sound, and here the performance matches right up. First impressions in the dealer showroom were positive enough to compell me to take the player home for a three day home audition in my own system.

I was expecting to hear an improvement when I replaced the Rega Planet with the Arcam, but the difference was almost jaw dropping. The main improvement was the way the performance on the recordings seemed to come together. The music took on a sense of balance, speed, and focus that I never realized I was missing with the Planet, which I still consider to be an excellent player. Details in the recordings that were only hinted at with the Planet came through with amazing clarity. The bass was real,the treble smooth and extended, and the sound transparent. Imaging and soundstage are world class, but a better sense of depth would be nice.

I ended up purchacing the Arcam, and also plan to upgrade the amp and speakers over the next several months. Normally, the speakers would have been the first component to upgrade, but since everything is getting replaced in a short period of time, I don't feel it really matters in my case. Besides, I'm sure that anything I upgrade to will benifit from having a top notch source at the front end like the CD23.

There's been a lot of interest in SACD lately, but I'm not an early adapter, and until manufacturers other than Sony adapt the technology, and a substantial amount of listening material becomes available, I can happily live with my Arcam. If, like me, you already have a large amount of money invested in CD's, and want to be sure your getting the most from them, I can heartily recommend the CD23. This player is serious high fidelity.

Associated equipment:

Rega Planet CD player
Bryston B60 integrated amplifier
B&W CDM7 SE's
Tara Labs Missing Link jumpers on B60
Tara Labs RSC AIR2 RCA'a
Tara Labs Master Gen II speaker wire
Synergistic Research AC Master Coupler
Monster HTS-200
Michael Green Pressure Zone COntrollers
Target Rack

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GCD-750, Krell KAV-250CD, Naim CD 3.5, Wadia 830, Meridian 508-24