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Digital Drive: REVIEW: California Audio Labs CL-2500 DVD Players by Karl W.

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REVIEW: California Audio Labs CL-2500 DVD Players

63.14.236.15


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Model: CL-2500
Category: DVD Players
Suggested Retail Price: $2500.00
Description: CD/DVD Player
Manufacturer URL: California Audio Labs
Manufacturer URL: California Audio Labs

Review by Karl W. on September 03, 2001 at 14:22:01
IP Address: 63.14.236.15
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for the CL-2500


I first auditioned this dvd player in a friend's sytem as my pre-amp was was having the software updated. My friends system consist of a pair of custom built ribbon speakers, Audible Illusions 3MA, Aragon Pallidums, and WireWorld Silver eclipse cabling. As a stand alone cd player the unit is excellent. It provide a very wide soundstage. What struck me most about the unit is how natural and relaxed it sounds. The bottom end is very firm. My friend knows his system well and commented almost immediately about the improvement. As for video performance, I am very impressed. My Panasonic 31 inch looks better than it has ever looked. It is almost like I purchased a new set. Previously, I owned a Pioneer 302D dvd changer. The Cal Audio has a much, much better picture. It is extremely clear with natural accurate colors. I do not have much experience with dvd player but this unit seems the best I have seen. I viewed a Sony 9000es dvd player with a Panasonic 31 inch television which is almost identical to mine. The Sony is also better than my Pioneer but the Cal audio labs seems to have a clear edge though the match is much much closer. The Sony 9000es is an excellent dvd player. Unlike the Cl-20, the Cal Cl-2500 will play the cd layer of dual layer SACDs. It also has separate digital out that upsamples cd to 24/88.2 and DVDs to 24/96. You must have a dac or pre-amp that can accept this digital bit stream. 24/96 music only dvd from Chesky and Classic are very very good though not the quite the equal of SACD. If more DAD were availible, I think I could forget about SACD for awhile but unfortunately that is not that case. For the retail of 2500.00, I think is player is a bargain. You get a built in upsampler, 24/96 digital outs, and an excellent transport or stand alone player.


Product Weakness: No DVD-A capability but I have not seen a single title that I would buy.
Product Strengths: First class sonics. This is one of the best cd player that I have heard period. This kind of performance at a price that many can afford is the best part.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Aragon Pallidiums, orginals
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audible Ilusions 3MA
Sources (CDP/Turntable): California Audio Labs Cl-2500, Parasoud TQ-1600 tuner
Speakers: Custom built ribbons
Cables/Interconnects: Wire World Silver Eclipse
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, mostly 60's era
Room Size (LxWxH): 25 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: None were used, regular carpeting
Time Period/Length of Audition: I own dvd player. The review is about a 1 day session in a friends system. I obtained similar results in my own system but the Audible Ilusions pre-amp outclasses mine
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): None
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): My system includes, a Califorinia Audio Labs 2500 series system with the SSP-2500, Cl-2500 dvd player reviewed here, MCA 2500 amplifier, CL-2500 VSW video swithcer, Parasound TQ-1600 Tuner, 2 Panasonic VCRs, PSB Stratus Gold(i),C-6i center, Stratus mini rears with Lat International IC-200 interconnects and SS-1000-D speaker cables.




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Topic - REVIEW: California Audio Labs CL-2500 DVD Players - Karl W. 14:22:01 09/3/01 ( 3)