Cambridge EVO 150 or Yamaha R-N2000a

[Gerbi]

I have a pair of Chario Aviator Nobile Speakers currently connected to an Audiolab 8300a and an Arcam ST60. They are for sale as I'm planning to buy an all in one box. The current choice is between the Evo 150 and the Yamaha R-N2000a. The Yamaha is a bit more expensive but I can get a unit at about the same price of the Cambridge. I have not yet auditioned them so I'd be interested in the opinion of the StereoNet community. Thank you.

[POV]

I can't directly comment on the comparison as I have not heard the Yamaha at all.  We do however run an EVO 150 in our office system and I absolutely love it.  It sounds great, it looks good, it's got basically every possible connection you could want covered, and the CA StreamMagic platform is as good as or better than any of the competition in my view.  Ours is literally running 50-60 hours a week and has been for close to 2 years and it's never missed a beat.  It also has the optional CD transport now which in many ways brings CD into the world of future-fi as it enables album art etc from CDs via StreamMagic platform on the 150.

[Gerbi]

Apologies for the late reply.

Thank you for the feedback. I wish I could audition them side by side but I can't and therefore I'm trying to get some more info before I pull the trigger.

It will need to run a pair of Chario Aviator Nobile and I do like a sparkly sound (I'm a bit of a trebles head). I do like the Yamaha option of adjusting the tone on the front of the amp, but I think it can be done through the EVO app as well.

[Gerbi]

Well, I pulled the plug and ordered a Yamaha. Should arrive Tuesday...I hope I made the right choice

[~Spyne~]

@Gerbi wondering how you got on with the Yamaha?

I see in your signature that it shows a Marantz 40n - did you move on from the Yamaha or the Marantz was what you previously ran?

[Gerbi]

On 23/02/2024 at 4:33 AM, ~Spyne~ said:

@Gerbi wondering how you got on with the Yamaha?

I see in your signature that it shows a Marantz 40n - did you move on from the Yamaha or the Marantz was what you previously ran?

Hi. Apologies for the late reply. I had a demo of the Yamaha at home for a few days, but the unit I ordered was taking forever with a new story from the retailer every time I enquired. I tested the Marantz and sounded pretty good to my ears so I grabbed one and I've been very happy with it. As I use Roon I've added a Wiim Pro as a streamer using the DAC in the Marantz. Cheers.

[Guest]

10 hours ago, Gerbi said:

 I tested the Marantz and sounded pretty good to my ears so I grabbed one and I've been very happy with it. 

Curious to know whether you auditioned the EVO 150?  It had twice the power of the 40N.

[Gerbi]

Unfortunately I couldn't audition them side by side and to be honest I just wanted to have a unit to use after waiting for weeks. The  reviews for the Marantz were good and I was impressed when I tested it. I've been very happy with it. 

[POV]

The Marantz is a good sounding unit for sure.  As all Marantz just a bit let down by the just OK HEOS and lack of Roon integration.  I think I would end up needing to add a different streamer to it which kind of defeats the great advantages of a future-fi amp.

[Gerbi]

I don't use Heos and I've added the WiiM pro. For my needs it's  fine for now. 

[POV]

5 hours ago, Gerbi said:

I don't use Heos and I've added the WiiM pro. For my needs it's  fine for now. 

 

Fair enough, and glad it's meeting your needs.  But if using the Wiim doesn't that kind of negate the 'n' part of your amp (network).  Seems if just adding a streamer like a wiim could get same outcome with an integrated amp with onboard DAC and not pay for a bunch of features not using?

[Gerbi]

I do use the hdmi arc and the day it moves to roon ready I'll sell the WiiM and keep the amp

Edited February 29, 2024 by Gerbi