Digital Drive: REVIEW: Cary Audio Design 303/200 CD Player/Recorder by matt

Model:	303/200
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$3000
Description:	24/96 Upsampling Cd Player
Manufacturer URL:	Cary Audio Design
Manufacturer URL:	Cary Audio Design

Review by matt ( A ) on May 13, 2002 at 19:23:09
IP Address: 67.33.133.100

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for the 303/200

I purchased the Cary 303/200 from about 3 weeks ago to replace my California Audio Labs Delta and Alpha upgraded to 24/96. I was nervous for 2 reasons. I was worried that I would loose the silky mids that tubes do so well and that the law of diminishing returns would play a role in players at this level. When I first played the Cary, I noticed a level of detail in the recordings that I had never heard before. I was still worried that I had spent all of this money on a piece of equipment that would not be significantly better than what I had before. I then walked away from the unit and left it playing for the next 200 hours for break-in.
When I came back and listened, I was amazed. The beautiful midrange that I have grown so attached to was there along with an amazing amount of detail. It was as if a veil was lifted off of my system. The 24/96 adds a level of depth and transparency to the sound stage that I had not heard on digital. The bass was much punchier and hit notes I have not heard through my system. I found that I prefer using the HDCD processor as opposed to the 24/96 on HDCD discs.
Over all, this is a very well built unit that has taken my system to a new level.

Product Weakness: Had problems upsampling from my Tascam DAT deck.
Product Strengths: Tranparency, Build Quality, Bass

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sonic Frontiers Power 2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Music Hall MMF 7 w/ Dynavector 10x4
Speakers:	Tannoy Definition 500
Cables/Interconnects:	The Music Cable Interconnects and Speaker Cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	13 x 10 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 Weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster HTS2000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Had problems upsampling from my Tascam DAT deck.
Product Strengths:	Tranparency, Build Quality, Bass