Arcam cd92/82 vrs Modded tubed player like musichall cd 25

mattburk · « **on:** 3 Jul 2003, 05:48 am »

I was sold on a modded music hall cd25 after reading all the reviews, but then I walked into a arcam dealer and listend to the cd82 and cd92, they sounded so good I couldnt help but smile the whole time. They also had a stock music hall cd25, which could not compete with even the arcam cd72. The stock music hall was too bright for me. The salesman told me that tubes tend to take away from the detail and base response, Is that true with the modded music hall?
Any advice would be appreciated, I cannot audition many of these players before I buy them, and even then I cant a/b with a modded mhcd25. I am open to sugestions.

Rocket · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 06:34 am »

hi,

i can't help with a direct comparison but i did hear an arcam cd 82 last saturday in my system. it sounded fine but not quite as good as my stock perpetual technologies dac. the arcam was quite expensive imo.

there are a couple of companies who mod the music hall cdp's. modwright does and it can be bought thru response audio and underwoodwally (aka walter leiderman) who trades thru audiogon sells modded units which are done be parts connexion.

don't believe what dealers tell you they just want a sale.

regards

rocket

mattburk · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 08:42 am »

What is a perpetual tech dac? Is that the same as a transport? If so what is the difference between a transport and a cd player, and which is better? I want the best cd sound possible for around 1000.
Thanks for your help

Hantra · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 02:07 pm »

I have compared the 72 back to back with my setup. It's a no brainer for me. Don't get me wrong. . . The CD72 is one of the highest value, best sounding players out there for the money, but it can be bettered for less. Much less.

I am not sure where you're located, but if you know of anyone in your area that has a Scott Nixon DAC, go out and listen to that. You can read reviews of it in the Critic's Circle here, and lots of info in this circle as well.

Put one of those with a Sony DVP-7700S as a transport, and you can't beat it for less than $7500 in my experience. It will make the CD72 sound like a toy in comparison. Arcam is one of the most respectable companies in this business, and I admire their R&D, and all of their products are great IMO. I even own their AV receiver. But get yourself out to listen to a Nixon DAC, and you can't go back.

I have also heard the CD92, and it's a really nice player. Same thing applies though. It just gets beaten not quite as bad as the 72, but still a world of difference. . .

Gosh, I always sound like a zealot who is selling Nixon DAC's. But that's just the breaks. It's THAT good. . .

B

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 04:48 pm »

Speaking of the Scott Nixon DAC - I'd like to see a Home Audition demo package sent around to listen to,as per what Bolder and GR Research is doing. I'm sure they would have plenty of willing audiophiles sign up !

JoshK · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 04:58 pm »

I'd sign up....btw I am on the list to review the RC3 by Selah Audio.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 05:09 pm »

Quote from: mattburk

What is a perpetual tech dac? Is that the same as a transport? If so what is the difference between a transport and a cd player, and which is better? I want the best cd sound possible for around 1000.
Thanks for your help

This site might be helpful--
http://www.codebunny.org/audio/cdtransports.html

Basically, an all-in-one CD player (or CDP) includes both a transport and DAC in one unit. Digital seperates: the transport spins/reads disc, outputting digital info and needing a DAC (digital-analog converter) to turn the digits back into music. Search archives and you'll find some suggestions for transports/DAC combos under $1K. Personally, I use an Ah! Njoe Tjoeb ($600) all-in-one but it has digital out on the back panel if I want to add a DAC.

Carlman · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 05:38 pm »

I've owned 2 Arcam's (Alpha and Delta series) and auditioned the CD72 and CD92. The CD72 or 92 sounded identical to me. I think they sound really smooth with detail. The sound is very clean. Nice stuff. I also like the $1,k Marantz CD player... can't remember which model. Similar qualities to the Arcam but, somehow seemed a little better.... can't remember why.... not a huge difference, though.

Then, I tried a Pioneer DVD player as a transport with a separate DAC that I won in a contest. The DAC was a Museatex which is old and not made anymore. The sound was at least as good as the Marantz or the Arcam. I would say it was as good as a Rega Planet.

I've since had the DAC modified by its creator to be signifigantly nicer, bought new interconnects, and had the Pioneer modified by Dan Wright.

I'd put my sound up against Hantra's any day.

His puny Scott Nixon DAC is no match for the modified madness I've created.

Kidding aside, The SN DAC is a different kind of sound and everyone has their preferences. If you liked the Arcam, buy it. You can always improve on its internal DAC by obtaining the outboard processor later.

However, if you're feeling a little adventurous, buy a Pioneer DV-656a and have Dan W do some mods on it... Buy a $250 DAC (like the SN), and all total you will have spent under $750 for something that will blow away most others. It's a recipe you'd have to hear to believe.

Hantra · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Jul 2003, 05:52 pm »

Quote

I'd put my sound up against Hantra's any day. His puny Scott Nixon DAC is no match for the modified madness I've created.

Hahahaa!!! I can't wait! You forget my DAC is like a pound, and is as big as a DLT tape, so I can bring it down any old time ya like. hehe

Seriously though. . . That's why I recommend when people are trying non-oversampling, they use one for a few days, and then switch back. It's a really bad thing to go from a noisy DAC with lots of digital crap, over to the non-overasampling from any company.

It's always the same thing. "It's too laid back. It doesn't have that "air" or "sparkle", blahblahblah."

It's only when you hear it for a while, and then go back, you realize that stuff doesn't really exist. It's an artifact that ain't supposed to be there. . .

B

truant · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Jul 2003, 06:04 am »

I have a fully modified Music HAll CD25 that I purchased from Walter Leiderman. I actually traded a B&K AVR202 for it. Thanks Walter. At one point I would have agreed with one of the comments about the sound being overly bright but I have since made some adjustments to address this. I bought a Norh ACA2b tube preamp and replaced the standard wall outlet with a hospital grade outlet. Both the preamp and the outlet had a profound influence on the sound of my system but the outlet's impact really has been the icing on the cake. The soundstage is wider and more encompassing, and virtually all digital glare is gone. My amps are IRD MB-100s, speakers are Norh prism 6.1s, cables...Harmonic Technology Precision Link ICs and Bolder speakers cables. I've learned that synergy between every component is important-I had been thinking about testing other CDPs until the outlet exchange. I do still have reservations about the HDCD however. Is it possible to disconnect this?