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So, after years of reading my CDs through an old Revox B226 player's SPDIF output, connected to a Gustard A18 DAC (that's more recent) through an iFi audio SPDIF iPurifier 2, I've decided to try on a dedicated, modern transport.
It arrived yesterday and I managed to spin only TWO discs before going to bed. But one thing is certain: if it doesn't scratch my discs, it is staying!
Even cold from the box with zero break-in, I can hear nuances in the midrange in such incredible fashion, I never thought I could get this kind of resolution, silence, depth of soundstage from my old CDs. it walks all over the Revox except on one area: slam. The Revox definitely hits harder. I expect the Audiolab to open up a bit and that slight "restrain" to disappear. But even so it's not a deal breaker. I was listening to Kate Bush and it felt like IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HEARD HER ACTUAL VOICE, expressive and velvety, not that annoying shrill little girl's voice you hear 99% of the time when playing one of her recordings on CD... VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!
I'm gonna listen more this morning, time for some classical maybe, some Bach cantatas perhaps, I'm sure it will be a treat. My Gustard A18 DAC clearly wasn't the bottleneck in my digital set-up!!
More impressions to come. That's it for now ;-)
Follow Ups:
FYI: I was listening last night, pushed pause, but when I hit play the display went dark. Noting I did turned it back on. I've had a similar issue with my comcast cable remote when the batteries are too weak. I use rechargeable batteries, so I stuck them in my charging device and took them out after ~ 10 hours. I had to turn the dac off/on, but then all was well again
hth
Edits: 08/08/22
Well after reading this post I have spent more time now spinning a few CDs instead of my Rpi based player and I must say the Audiolab has a better and more natural timbre. Now I need to see if I can do something about that Rpi player to make is as musical as the Audiolab.
I scored a slightly used one about 6 months ago. Very impressive, even more so with a HQ; coax cable, PC and vibration devices
May I ask what you are using as vibration control? I was thinking maybe for a start an Ikea cutting board with some absorbing pads between board and rack...
Most anything SOLID will suffice as a base. It's what's between it and the component is where the magic happens, and where it is placed under said component/sI am using Nobsound spring discs, but recently bought Moongel, though Ive yet to try it (both from Amazon). Also, I highly recommend Mad Scientist Graphene Contact Enhancer, which is amazing
hth
Edits: 06/26/22
A while back I had to have a new CD transport and purchased the
Cambridge CXC V2 because it uses a conventional tray and not a slot.
I was worried about the slot swallowing a disc and never ejecting it.
My CXC has performed flawlessly so far, except that the remote is ...
well ... annoying.
My next cd transport will likely be a top loader - no tray or slot
mechanism to worry about.
Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid.
.
It came out about a year ago.
Jack
the most impressive CD transport I've seen and heard was made by Burmester. HP had the 969/970 combo around 2001. Here's a current model:
Ahhh everything Burmester looks soooo good, I love it. Bling bling for sure, but with more taste than a lot of the competition. Beautiful.
Far from it.
plus various Chinese players like MHZS, as well as Ayon (Austria) and Electrocompaniet (Norway).
Woo Audio made a top-loader, some still available on the used market. I use a Jay's Audio out of HK, excellent unit.
I picked up one of these a couple of years ago. I don't spin discs as often as I used to years ago but at times I still do. For me it is the best sounding transport that I have ever owned as well. I too was also worried about scratching discs but I have carefully inspected my discs and I have yet to see any marks on my CDs. I think the display is cool and have been very impressed with the performance, especially given its modest price.
After 24 hours of break-in, i.e., with the platter spinning not just turned on, EVERYTHING improves significantly, especially the bass. When I first hooked up my new unit I had the same impressions as you and I also felt the unit was a bit bass light, which was somewhat disappointing. Boy was I wrong. After break-in the bass improved so much that the bass now easily surpasses the bass produced by my prior transport, a Proceed/Mark Levinson CDT-1. And as I mentioned, you can expect to also hear big improvements in all aspects of the mid range and treble. And all for that modest price.
Also, I too was a bit concerned about the slot loading tray. But after using it I think it is far superior to a tray sliding in and out. It's simpler, works better and is sturdier. And no, you don't have to be concerned about damage to the CD, I think that thought results from the fact that it's different and unfamiliar.
That's good to know! The sound has already started to improve even tho so far I barely had time to spin 10 discs.
I can't wait to install a good power cord, a good fuse, and I'll probably also get an Ikea bamboo cutting board and some gel pads, to isolate it more.
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