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REVIEW: Virtue Audio Piano M1 CD Player/Recorder

Model:	Piano M1
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$699.00
Description:	CD Player
Manufacturer URL:	Virtue Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by willkayakforfood on September 05, 2011 at 04:21:13 IP Address: 207.225.233.60

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Please excuse what may well be a rambling, perhaps disorganized, yet hopefully not too incoherent review. I'm not very experienced at writing reviews (okay, it's my first!), but I'm so pleased with this player, I felt someone should give it some "press" here at the Asylum.

I purchased mine used via the Asylum classified ads, and got a great deal on this unit that is less than a year old. That said, even at the full retail price, I'd consider it a very good value.

Though the couple of "professional" reviews I read both mentioned a long break-in period before achieving the best sound, since I purchased mine used, it was already well broken in for me, so I didn't have to suffer through any such growing pains. About 200 hours is what they seem to recommend before considering it well broken-in.

The build quality of this CD player--inside and out--is excellent, and unlike pretty much any other audio component available, there are several ways in which you can customize the build/look of your personal unit (see manufacturer's site for details). The dimensions are different than most other CD players (it's relatively small), yet it's heavier than most as well. Again, it's worth repeating that this is a very well built unit.

I don't posses the technical knowledge to adequately describe and discuss the inner workings of the electronics, but for those who are more familiar with these things, you'd probably like to know that it uses the Philips TDA-1543 DAC, has two pair of L/R RCA analog outputs, and both coax and optical digital outputs. You can find more technical details at the manufacturer's site, and they're also very glad to answer email inquiries. I sold my older yet very nice sounding Michael Yee DA-1 DAC (used Philips TDA-1541A chipset) because with this CD player, I no longer felt the need for an external DAC, and didn't feel an extra component in the chain would be worthwhile. This is a Redbook CD player (no SACD, DVD, Blue-Ray, etc.).

Now for the best part -- the sound...

With my nearly full range floor standing speakers (40Hz-20KHz), and a subwoofer with a flat response down to 20Hz, I expect to take full advantage of this full range system, and the Piano M1 does not disappoint me in any part of the frequency range. Not only does it cover the full range with ease, it does so with a very pleasing, very realistic sound. Naturally, the sound I hear and appreciate so much is a combination of all the components, cables, speakers, and room, but whatever the CD player is doing, it's obviously doing it very well indeed.

Here I may disappoint some, as I prefer to avoid the usual "audiophile" buzzwords to try and describe musical sound. I'm a musician, and whether I'm performing on stage, listening as a member of an audience, or listening to my stereo system at home, words, and visualizations only get in the way. What I can say is that when I hear an orchestra, a chamber ensemble, a Jazz ensemble, and individual instruments and voices, they sound authentic enough for me to simply sit back, close my eyes, silence the internal dialog, and become immersed in the musical experience; often for hours on end. In my system, the Piano M1 is the primary source, and it's "getting it right".

I don't have a great deal of experience with all sorts of different CD players and DACs, but when I listen to this system, with this CD player, I don't long for something different. Nothing feels missing to me. I just enjoy the music.

If you don't feel the need to spend thousands on a CD player, I'm happy to give the Virtue Audio Piano M1 an enthusiastic recommendation. I have the feeling you'd be quite pleased with it.

Finally, a small note about Virtue Audio, and Seth Krinsky...

Even though I purchased my unit used, Seth has been very responsive to my email inquiries, and doesn't consider me any less of a "customer" than someone who purchases theirs direct from the company. Very friendly, competent people there at Virtue Audio, and they're happy to accommodate the needs and wishes of their customers. I know that if anything comes up with my Piano M1, I can trust Virtue Audio to take care of me.

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Product Weakness:	Long break-in period, sometimes a bit slow during initial CD read, but these are minor issues; hardly worth the mention.
Product Strengths:	Great sound, build quality, versatility, personal choices in custom chassis build, great price for what you get. Did I mention great sound? :)

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Forté 4a
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Jolida JD 5T
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Virtue Audio Piano M1
Speakers:	NHT Model 2/M&K Subwoofer
Cables/Interconnects:	Clear Day Double Shotgun/Soundsilver Harmony/Audio Art IC-3
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, Traditional Irish, Rock, Reggae, more
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Six Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom ACE-315, Pangea AC-14SE power cord used with CD player
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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