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REVIEW: Cary Audio Design 306/200 CD Player/Recorder

202.69.91.9


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Model: 306/200
Category: CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price: $5000
Description: Upsampling CD player and DAC
Manufacturer URL: Cary Audio Design
Manufacturer URL: Cary Audio Design

Review by > > 6 < < ( A ) on August 21, 2002 at 03:31:10
IP Address: 202.69.91.9
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for the 306/200


I picked up the Cary 306.200 about 10 days ago, having never heard the unit nor had I seen it other then in pictures. To many this would be considered stupid, but I was able to get a great price on a new unit so I figured the worst case scenario was that I would be able to sell it for the price I paid. I felt like I was going in with no "major" expectations. I was hoping this unit, obviously, would enhance the overall sound of my system, but other then that I did not have particular hopes for what it would bring to the system. In short, I was ready to either like OR not like the unit. If you are curious to know why I chose to try the Cary, it was based on everything I read here over the past 2 months.

For some reason I opted for the silver model (again never having seen it until I opened the box). The rest of my gear is black (Rogue Magnum 120's and the Magnum 99 pre) yet the one pic I did see of the Cary showed the unit in black and I did not like the look of it. I can tell you that the silver unit is pretty to look at. Contrary to the comments of another review in here, I did not mind the blue face panel or LED lights. Other "nice" cosmetic features of the unit are the weight (quite heavy and solid feeling) and the look of thickness (that is the one thing I like about the Sony SACD players---they look like they are carved out of solid pcs. of steel and this unit has much of that look.)

Some of the downfalls. The remote is not nearly as nicely crafted as the unit itself (its a shiny silver that looks like it was done by hand). Again, contrary to another review on this site, I like the heavy remote---remotes in my house have a habit of falling to the floor so I do like knowing that this remote can withstand the unintentional fall. Another downfall was with the users guide. I was a bit disappointed to find no mention at all on the benefits (or at least Cary's theory) on the upsampling features. If you get the 192 version it could be a bit confusing, because you could choose (a) no upsampling (b) upsampling to 96 or (c) upsampling to 192. The confusing part is that you can activate both the 96 and 192 at the same time OR just one or the other (or none).

When I first hooked up the unit I threw in Steely Dan's "2 Against Nature". What I heard from this cd was nice...not thrilling but nice. IMO this cd (no matter what system I play i on sounds digital---I think I played this first just to see if that sound was due to the other players I had in this set up OR if its the disc---IMO it's the disc). Then I started to venture into other cd's. Frank Zappa's "Strictly Genteel", Linda Perry's "In Flight" and Dave Brubek. I was hearing these cd's really open up in my system. They were very clear without being bright or harsh. The instrument separation was also something I noticed for the first time in my system. I was able to distinguish faint guitar parts (its stopping and starting) while also hearing an obo or a triangle. I was able to hear these sounds with my former player (an AVM Evolution 2) but now these instruments were not "all coming out of the same speaker"---the separation was there. The biggest thrill for me was to finally get that full, deep clean thump of bass I've been trying to get from my ProAcs for 2 years (response 3.8's). When I first put the Rogue gear into the system I was 85% there, now with the Cary as the source I feel like I'm right at the gate.

I read through the manual and it did state that the unit would be "optimal" after 100 hours of burn in. I'm not really a big believer in burn in but I played along. I let this unit play all day, every day for 6 days. Over the weekend I spent some quality listening time in my dedicated music room (12 X 15) and I can tell you that the unit really seems to have taken on a new life. Whatever I throw into this player I hear more of what is on the disc---whether good or bad I hear more. There is now a life to the music that was, until this point, missing.

All in all I really do enjoy this unit, I believe the things you (we) have read about this unit on this site are not hype. It may not be ideal for everyone, but I'm quite sure that most everyone who lends an ear to this player would agree it is a very good unit and is quite special. There are 2 reasons I am happy with this unit (1) is I'm having a blast listening to music since I got this player and I do find that it has made my system better (2) it reinforces the value of the inmates on this site, and the format of sharing opinions on this site. I would NEVER have thought to consider OR buy this unit without all the helpful talk in here. Instead I trusted the base message of ALL the posts regarding this unit and it paid off.

IF you are curious, I have tried the following other units in this system: AVM Evolution 2, Meridian 508.24, Levinson 39 (Bel Canto Dac 1.1) and the BAT 5. The Cary is the one the worked best for me

If there are any Hong Kong inmates in here who are interested in this unit drop me an e-mail

> > 6 < <
Formerly hkd


Product Weakness: user manual could be more informative, remote could be cosmetically enhance
Product Strengths: sound


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Rogue Magnum 120 mono blocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Rogue Magnum 99
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Cary 306.200
Speakers: ProAc Response 3.8
Cables/Interconnects: nOrh silver cables with "Bullet" brand rca plugs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): easy rock, jazz, symphony, metal, blues
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 12 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: heavy curtains down the left side of teh room, curtain hanging on wall behind system, thick padded couch 6 ft in front of system
Time Period/Length of Audition: 10 days
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Cary Audio Design 306/200 CD Player/Recorder - > > 6 < < 03:31:10 08/21/02 ( 8)