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REVIEW: SCD-XB940 with LCLockXO2 and Zapfilter2

193.150.213.230

Posted by Peter on November 23, 2001 at 12:13:57

Some of you know I talked about this upgrade in the spring now it´s done :-)

I used the 940 as transport to my Zapdac mk3 until now, and even with sacd´s the 940 had no chance against the "hybrid layer" via my Zapdac.

Well things have changed. I started with the clock and I almost passed out after first test listening. The 940 uses BB2134 in class A so with the clock mod the sound was already GOOD, even better than with the Zapdac. I didn´t realise how much jitter I actually was listening to. With the clock installed the sound was better in ALL aspects; lower bass, more punch and definition in bass and mid´s. More presence in the mids, more dynamic as well both macro and micro.
Better resolution in the whole audible range which is nice especially in the high octaves. Bigger soundstage in all dimensions.

After the Zapfilter was installed by LC Audio, the sound is even better, bypassing the analog section of the 940.
It took some time for the Zapfilter to "burn in" with a big improvement after about 8 hours, and better for each day the first 3-4 days, now after a week the sound is stable.

The sound with both this mods is unbeliavable, it is so clear but NO tiresome distortion on transients and high frequencys, it is the most resolved sound I have ever heard but still totaly relaxed. The sound reminds me of amps like Pass Aleph5, Audio researchVT100mk2, Gammut D200 and the likes, but it´s better yet.
I would say that my combination with the Zapfilter feeding my Zapattenuator, feeding my Zapsolute class A monoblocks, I have the best from both tube and SS world.

There is less filtering now so with CD´s a small amount of noise is audible, no problem with SACD though.
The sound is improved as much with CD´s as with SACD´s.

The output is both balanced and unblanced from the Zapfilter and I´m using it unbalanced right now, which means single end class a in the Zapfilter. I will try it with active preamp and balanced soon, gonna be interesting :-)

I will also run the "new" 940 against the other top of the line SACD-players from Sony to see how it compares. Something in me makes me feel this will be VERY FUN!

A new era has begun and I have 250 new CD´s and SACD´s to enjoy ;-)

A nice weekend to all of you
/Peter

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