Digital Drive: REVIEW: HiFi Winkel Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD Player/Recorder by shermanr@prw.net

Model:	Njoe Tjoeb 4000
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$849
Description:	Modified Marantz 4000 CD player
Manufacturer URL:	HiFi Winkel
Model Picture:	View

Review by shermanr@prw.net on November 13, 2008 at 10:40:09
IP Address: 198.24.6.134 Add Your Review
for the Njoe Tjoeb 4000

Interesting Tube CD player available with many options. Excellent overall performer with a rock-steady transport mechanism.

Out of the box amazing performance. Strong 2.5V output is standard but the user can change this by solder bridge manipulation. This is not recommended for the average person, requires that the main board be separated from the chassis for the modification.

Very simple to roll tubes. Uses 6922, ECC88, E88CC and substitutes.

Thin marantz metal chassis. May not prevent RCA connections on rear to develop problems. Tight fitting RCA and repeated cable rolling may crack the common connection on the plastic RCA module causing hum.

Front panel allows output level bypass. Remote control simple and easy to use. On/Off only works to turn off the unit. Must be physically powered-on.

Good short term reliability, average long term reliability. Excellent dealer support.

The 192KHz Upsampler is prone to cracking of the stiff metal pins. Much care is needed when installing and removing this option is the module is to survive.

Without the upsampler the 44.1 KHz operation is smooth and sounds very accurate. Upsampler installed elevates the performance of the Njoe Tjoeb, extracting more inner detail from CD's. Able to play MP3 CD's.

Current model is available with a super-clock tube based oscillator, elevating the performance and lowering phase noise and jitter in the DAC conversion process.

Long term reliability is questionable. Most of the parts on the main PC board are hard to change surface mount types.

Long term (5+ years) the player lost musicality and eventually the sound bloated in the bass region with dynamic and frequency extension loss.

At the price level offered, one should consider a solid state product whose overall construction does not feel or look like a modified original.

Display is very dim and barely visible in low light conditions.

Starts with a bang, ends with a whimper.

Product Weakness:	Long term reliability.
Product Strengths:	Sound, features, options, dealer support.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Atmasphere M60 MK2.3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Aikido
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Linn LP12
Speakers: Zu Druid
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost Spellbinder
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, New Age, Contemporary
Room Size (LxWxH): 13.5 x 8 x 14
Room Comments/Treatments: Sonex on rear wall
Time Period/Length of Audition: 5 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Transcendent Balanced Power
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Atmasphere M60 MK2.3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Aikido
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Linn LP12
Speakers:	Zu Druid
Cables/Interconnects:	Nordost Spellbinder
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz, New Age, Contemporary
Room Size (LxWxH):	13.5 x 8 x 14
Room Comments/Treatments:	Sonex on rear wall
Time Period/Length of Audition:	5 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Transcendent Balanced Power
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner