Price Paid:  $550.00 from Sevenoaks Hi-Fi

Summary:
Well where do I start. I bought the 8 SE as an internal upgrade from the 8 and at first I was very disappointed. After a long run in this CD player really opened up. All my older CD's sounded 100%better than they did before improving on clarity and detail of the recording. As with the previous reviewer I also listened to the FMJ CD23 and agree that it is better than the 8 SE. What you have to remember is that the CD23 is double the price and therefore my ratings are based on other CD players 8 SE range.By the way I paid £550 not $.

Strengths:
Sound. Fantastic with HDCD.

Weaknesses:
Build

Similar Products Used:
Arcam Alpha 10 DAVE Arcam Alpha 10 P3 Monitor Audio Gold Reference 20

Price Paid:  $600.00 from aufdioatr

Summary:
i bought this one after testing many many players. first i was a bit rejected with not so brilliant reviews from whf magazine but my dealer convinced me with "never believe'em - believe your ears only" (he must have been pretty frustrated 'cuz i had tested many sets in over a month :-( )
it might need a longer run in and should stay warm all the time (do not turn it off at all but for reset from time to time) but when it starts to rotate it sounds mmmmmmmm
it has that fine resolution that makes you really enjoy your cds and coupled with a good amp it gives one a lots of pleasure. but be carefull with bad produced cds - it makes every single bit of them audible!
good one
and yes ,it does those couple of hdcds fine
vik

Strengths:
very fine resoluted and warm sound

Weaknesses:
oh that plastics oh that poor display!

Similar Products Used:
arcam 5

Price Paid:  $650.00 from AudioVison

Summary:
bought this one as an upgrade to my alpha7
the player is a very fine piece of plastic (yes that's arcam)and awfull clear but needs longer run in and very fine cables too (i found my optimum with vandenhul the first)
it has a punch, full middle (nice vocals) and very very fine treble which should not be spoiled by some budget amp or speakers
it is maybe too clear for some poorly produced cds and that may be its biggest dissadvantage (not best suited for trash or hardcore fans) and it gives its best with fine hdcds
anyway nice toy, one correct stop on the way into hi-end.

and: 4 stars because after i recently heard arcam fmjcd23 and nad s500 i i know what 5 stars should be

p.s. One tip for further postings: delete space after 8 in "8_SE" to be able to post . . . Otherwise: Broken Link!!!

Strengths:
fine cd player with marvelous resolution and hdcd capability

Weaknesses:
never as sharp as some ears would like it . . .but that's arcam

Similar Products Used:
nad 502
arcam alpha 7