2. amps-preamps
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source disappointment

I have built a system that I would guess is fairly revealing(in my limited experience), and have begun experimentation with the CD Source.

Signal Cable Analog 2
Cary SLP 88 pre
Zcable Live V3
Cary 2A3 se monoblocks
Elco Sti-2b Silver Bi-wire (used as single for soliloquys)
Soliloquy 2A3 monitors

Sennheiser HD590

I recently purchased a used Audio Note CD 2 to replace the use of my Panasonic XP50 DVD/DVD-A, player which I assumed was not much of a source, though it does have a remastering upsample feature.

In several extended listening sessions using various albums I have been unable to detect any sonic improvement offered by the Audio Note which I purchased because of their reputation for analog sound. I actually A/B'd a getz/gilberto cd I had two copies of, syncing both players up and using my Headphones, and I believe I prefered the Panasonic. During intermmitent audience applause on the disc, the Panasonic rendered a warmer and much wider soundstage.

Is this crazy?
wheeler
ehart
215 posts
 
Hi Wheeler,

I am certainly of the "trust your ears" persuasion.

I would be curious to hear your experience with other "reference" CDs. The Getz/Gilberto was one of my 3 reference CDs until recently, you know the ones you take with you to listen to gear.

I did a signficant amp upgrade a while back, and while other CDs sounded noticeably better, this one did not. Then a few months ago, I auditioned speakers better than I've auditioned before, in the over $5000 range. While other recordings (Such as Alison Kraus' Forget About It) showed distinct differences between the speakers, the Getz/Gilberto did not.

So I've concluded that as great as the music is, this is no longer a good reference CD for me in terms of recording quality.

- Eric
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I have to come back to the "no filter" thing. This is a radical technological departure from the commonly accepted practices in converter design. That doesn't necessarily mean that it will sound bad, but it will certainly sound very different. You are comparing it to a conventionally designed, modern, player. There are sound technological reasons why the vast majority of DACs use oversampling and either analog or digital brick wall filters. For one thing, the ultrasonic spuriae that is produced without a filter can cause the amp to become unstable. Even if this doesn't happen, tweeters do not like being hit with ultrasonic energy, their power handleing is quite limited. Beats, or difference frequencies can also fall back into the audible range. Finally, the transport that you are using may be causing large amounts of jitter due to the transport output/DAC input interface. This is a source of jitter that is avoided in an all-in-one-player.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
I used a Panasonic XP50 for a while and thought that its sonic performance was excellent. (And it is pretty). My only gripe was that it doesn't do SACD's. You must remember that D/A technology has advanced greatly in the last few years, largely as a result of the huge market generated by DVDs. Even an inexpensive DVD benefits from this, (the chip manufacturers will sell to anyone) and the XP50 may well outperform the best players of only a few years ago.
xzhang34c4
1 posts
 
I have listened to Audio Note setup before in one of the hifi show. The same feeling as yours: very revealing to a degree of disapointment.

You may need to avoid Silver or Silver coated cable. If still can not resolve, change your CD player.

Zhang Xi from Singapore
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