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Shootout Results of APL Hi-Fi vs. TRL Players (Long)

Posted by slbenz (A) on June 6, 2005 at 18:01:58

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to post my experiences this past weekend comparing my APL Hi-Fi modded Pioneer 563a player vs. my friend's TRL modded Sony SCD-CE595. I also had on hand my Sony CDP-CX240 megachanger for a baseline comparison of the two modded players. With the assistance of a couple of audiophile wannabes, myself and my spouse, we decided to do an impromptu single-blinded comparison of the three players using my home theater which consists of: Magnepan 1.5 mains, Magnepan 0.5 rears, Eminent Technology LFT-IV center, Velodyne HGS-12 Series II subwoofer, Parasound AVC-1800 preamp, Parasound HCA-1205A 5-channel amp, and Cobalt Cables throughout the chain.

For CDs we used Diana Krall's Love Scenes which highlights her vocals and use of piano and string instruments and Jamie Cullum's Twentysomething which highlights the same things. After extensive listening, it was clear that the CX240 presented a 2-dimensional image with some air but with muddy bass and a slightly forward midrange. People commented that the TRL modded Sony had a good overall balance to it's presentation. No one area was over/under emphasized. It was easier to listen to over an extended time vs. the CX240. The muddy bass was gone, slightly more air and a slightly extended top end. Soundstage was the same as the CX240 but detail was a bit greater. Comments about the APL modded Pioneer included a wide 3-D (yes, 3-D) soundstage with great detail, very balanced presentation that was involving and lifelike and fatigue-free like the TRL modded Sony. The Pioneer was clearly the favorite of everyone in the CD comparison. Asking the audience if their favorite player, which was the Pioneer, rated a 100%, where did then the other players rate? The TRL modded Sony rated between 65-70%, while the CX240 rated between 50-55%.

Next, we compared SACD performance between the APL and TRL units. Unfortunately, my CX240 does not play SACDs like the newest megachangers available today. We used Andrea Bocelli's Sentimento and Gloria Estafan's Greatest Hits on SACD for testing. The TRL unit had no problem giving a well balanced performance of both SACDs. Sound in 2 or 5 channel mode was easy to listen to without the analytical issues lesser machines can present. Singers and instruments can easily be discerned in the soundstage. When we switched to the APL unit, no one expected to hear such a large positive change in the two SACDs. The soundstage, depth, air, attack, decay, involvement and lifelike presentation went up. It was easy for all of us to know when the APL unit was playing. It was as if you were listening to the performance live vs. hearing a recording. Comments included that the APL unit presented music as it was meant to be played vs. just coming out of the speakers. Another person commented that the APL unit really made the speakers disappear while the TRL unit had a soundstage that seemed to be limited by the distance between the speakers. Again, I asked the audience, which was their favorite player, and again it was the APL unit. Using the 100% rating again, I asked them to rate the TRL unit. The range was from 35-40%. Clearly, the APL unit pulled farther ahead when in SACD mode vs. CD mode. Now looking at price and value, my friend with the TRL unit wasn't too happy with the results. Especially, when he found out that I spent the same amount on my player which also included DVD-A and DVD-Video functions.

In summary, the APL unit was the most involving with the most lifelike representation of the performance whether in SACD or CD mode. The TRL unit certainly was better than the stock Sony in several key areas and gave a well-balanced presentation. Either modded player gives us consumers great choices over stock units without having to spend thousands of dollars to obtain audio nirvana. I am happy that my APL unit won this contest but of course at the expense of my friend's TRL unit. Unfortunately in these types of contests, someone has to win and someone has to lose. I hope this information proves to be of some use to all on the forum.

Slbenz

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Atma-Sphere Music Systems, Inc.

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