Computer Audio Asylum

Posted by jusbe (A) on May 27, 2007 at 07:32:33

In Reply to: RE: Which USB DAC? posted by David Shapiro on May 27, 2007 at 06:03:36

...or something else in that price range, I'd definitely recommend hearing the AMR CD-77 with its USB input. I'd love to hear the Crimson but I suspect its a contender. The AMR is something else, though and uses a classic chip from the same family - the TDA1541. It's about US$8,500, I think. It has USB input too - the 'right kind', it would seem.



Image from 6moons. For review and more pictures see link.

Big J.

• 6mooons review of the Abbingdon Music Research CD-77.   (Open in New Window)

• RE: If you're considering the Crimson... - Cycles2 11:49:17 07/01/07 (2)
  In Reply to: RE: If you're considering the Crimson... posted by jusbe on May 27, 2007 at 07:32:33

  The AMR CD-77's USB DAC is not in the same league as it's CD transport/DAC. We A-B'd a Wavelength Cosecant USB Dac and all agreed the performance order from top to lowest was:
  1. AMR CD-77 CD / Transport
  2. Wavelength USB DAC
  3. AMR CD-77 USB DAC
  
  I suspect the Wavelength Crimson might compete very well against the AMR CD-77 CD transport / DAC.
  
  
  
  

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  • RE: If you're considering the Crimson... - hd a ogue 15:10:35 07/02/07 (1)
    In Reply to: RE: If you're considering the Crimson... posted by Cycles2 on July 01, 2007 at 11:49:17

    Cycles2,
    
    How close or far apart where those #1,#2 and #3 performances? Was the Wavelength way ahead of the AMR DAC? Was the CD transport way ahead of both dacs?
    
    How broken in was the AMR and Wavelength? Thanks!!
    
    

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    • RE: If you're considering the Crimson... - Cycles2 04:07:11 08/17/07 (0)
      In Reply to: RE: If you're considering the Crimson... posted by hd a ogue on July 02, 2007 at 15:10:35

      Sorry for the delay in responding to you about how close/far apart the Cosecant was to the AMR CD-77, but as I mentioned earlier the A-B review of the AMR CD-77 and the Cosecant USB DAC resulted in this unofficial lineup from highest to lowest by 2 of us.
      
      1. AMR CD-77 CD transport
      2. Wavelength USB DAC
      3. AMR CD-77 USB DAC
      
      The Cosecant was broken in and I belive the AMR CD-77 was broken in as I believe's it's the infamous unit that is well travelled and still had some quirks that needed to be addressed such as a mechanical clicking noise from the top loading disk drawer mechanism.
      
      It's hard to quantify how much better the AMR's CD transport was over the Cosecant, but I would summarize by saying that if you're more into playing CDs and consider the computer server as a convenience, then the AMR CD-77 is a good choice. If you're seeking the ultimate USB DAC as you want to primarrilly use a computer server as your main digital source, then pursue the Cosecant or better yet get a Crimson which I suspect may compete well against AMR CD-77's transport.
      
      
      

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• RE: If you're considering the Crimson... - David Shapiro 08:00:49 05/27/07 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: If you're considering the Crimson... posted by jusbe on May 27, 2007 at 07:32:33

  Funny you should mention the AMR. I just spoke yesterday to the Chicago area rep about when one would be available for demo. I specifically asked him about the USB implmentation, which he said is native USB, not a conversion to S?PDIF, which I assume to be IS2, although I will confirm that.

  David
  
  

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  Edits: 05/27/07
  • RE: If you're considering the Crimson... - jusbe 11:23:47 05/27/07 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: If you're considering the Crimson... posted by David Shapiro on May 27, 2007 at 08:00:49

    I don't think its IS2. I think its a more elegant solution than that with custom written drivers, and so on, and a more direct/less convoluted connection to the DAC. The USB connection is isosynchronous and though I'm no PC expert, it seems that in the land of USB audio this might actually be a 'good thing'. I think AMR have an explanation somewhere on their site but I'm more interested in reading a 3rd party review of this AMR interface in particular.
    
    The player sounds phenomenal. If you get a chance, listen to it in an AMR system too. I've been thinking carefully about getting one.
    

    Big J.

    
    
    

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