Hi-Rez Highway: REVIEW: AH! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD Player/Recorder by Lecartel

Model:	Njoe Tjoeb 4000
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$579
Description:	Marantz CD4000 based, modified in Holland. Tube output stage using premium Wima/Vishay components.
Manufacturer URL:	AH!
Manufacturer URL:	AH!

Review by Lecartel ( A ) on October 16, 2002 at 12:24:35
IP Address: 202.3.231.190

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for the Njoe Tjoeb 4000

I have owned a Ah Tjoeb 4000 tubed CDP for more than one year, and a Heart CD 6000 for about six months, both bought in Holland via internet (I live in Tahiti). I have bought the Heart because I have read reviews stating that it was definitely better than the Ah Tjoeb 4000.
Both units are now well run in. The Ah Tjoeb is a tubed Marantz 4000 CDP, the Heart is a tubed Marantz 6000 CDP, both use the same pair of tubes (6922), Phillips in the Ah Tjoeb, Sovtek in the Heart.
I have done extensive A-B listening using the same new CD in both players with a Manley Stingray amplifier (outfitted with 8 Ei EL 84 and 2 AT7 Mullard tubes), Triangle Celius speakers, Siltech G3 interconnect, HP cables, and power cable. The Ah Tjoeb has got the Tjoeb feet, the AC Direkt power cord, the Burr Brown optional op amp OPA 627, and a pair of Mullard tubes.
I have tried different tubes for the Heart CD 6000, including Siemens, but I did not hear much difference. So I left the sovtek tubes in.
Having read very good reviews about the Heart CD 6000, and having paid more for it, I was hoping that the sound would be better. The unit does weigh more and does look and feel sturdier.
But after extensive running and A/B listening on identical CDs, the verdict is such:
Both unit have the same â€œsoundâ€ as far as the tonal balance goes.
Both sound smooth and natural and close to the â€œanalog soundâ€, due to their use of tubes.
But the Ah Tjoeb with the OPA 627 Burr brown op amp has a definite edge because its sound is more â€œinvolvingâ€.
It has more â€œswingâ€, especially on live jazz recordings. This is due, I think, to a superior dynamic range, a better handling of transient sounds. Piano, double bass and drums sound definitely more natural on the Ah Tjoeb because of his outstanding micro dynamics.
The Siltech cable and Triangle speakers are especially good at giving that fast and dynamic sound that I crave for, closer to the live experience (I listen mainly to small jazz ensembles), and in that system, the A/B listening experience is very revealing of the dynamic range differences between players.
Double bass and drum solos are the most demanding music in my opinion, and I absolutely delighted with the way the Ah Tjoeb performs on this kind of music: there is definitely a sense of the cymbals, drums and double bass being â€œthereâ€. The silence between the notes is also something that I noted, especially since I have replaced the stock op amp with the OPA 627: there is a sense of listening with a blacker background, and therefore there is more contrast between soft and loud notes.
It also seems that the attack is faster and stronger, and the decay is longer, with the Ah Tjoeb 4000 and the OPA 627 op amp, than with the Heart CD 6000.
The newer Heart CD 6000 â€œupgradeâ€ is now in my sonâ€™s bedroom with my â€œoldâ€ system.

Product Weakness: the LCD display is too small and dark
Product Strengths: Very natural sound, excellent dynamic range, excellent attack and decay

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Manley Stingray
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Ah Tjoeb 4000, Heart CD 6000
Speakers:	Triangle Celius
Cables/Interconnects:	Siltech G3
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	24 x 15 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition:	one year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Siltech XP 20 G3
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	the LCD display is too small and dark
Product Strengths:	Very natural sound, excellent dynamic range, excellent attack and decay