BAT VKD5 SE vs. Newcastle PART2
As some of you know, a couple of weeks ago, I got a BAT VKD5 SE and set it up, and after listening to it for a night or two, felt like it didn't sound much better than my Newcastle cd changer. I felt like the BAT sounded "thin" and cavernous, while the newcastle had better timing and was more upfront, but in a way I liked.
I decided to take some suggestions, and listen exclusively to the BAT. I also worked on speaker placement (THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!), and left the BAT powered ON, seeing as how I knew I'd be listening to music nightly. (I also left my cd changer powered on, but didn't listen to it)
A few days ago, I went back and listened to the Newcastle, and didn't like it very much at all. It sounded muddled, like all the sounds were clumped together in one big blob. It almost sounded like just NOISE.
On the other hand, the BAT no longer sounded thin when I did the A/B. On the contrary, the BAT was playing so rich, like I had imagine I wanted the music, and played with an ease and emotion that I love. I still feel like the BAT sits the music farther back in the soundstage, but it definitely sounded much fuller and open than I remember it sounding when I first did the A/B audition. THIS IS ALL still with cheap interconnects (my new ones are still on their way from BearLabs).
I'm not so sure I will sell my BAT. I AM sure though, that I don't want to go back to using my changer. I mean, I was really MOVED last night listening to music on the BAT. More moved than I ever remembering being when I was listening to the Newcastle.
Not sure what this all means. Part of me thinks that you really do become accustomed to a certain sound. I think leaving the BAT on continuously for days also made a huge difference. It's almost like the player woke up.
The difference between CD players isn't like the difference I heard when I switched to a better amp; that was immediately obvious. But this difference is still very significant, and seemingly more and more significant.
I'm still anxious to have a fellow 'gon member come over with his Wadia830 for an audition. The Wadia may be closer to what I want (I still think I prefer an upfront player vs. one that is more laid back) And I still may sell this player. But I thought I should be fair, and post my experience.
(I keep hearing these "I TOLD YOU SO!"s in my head... I'm shocked to admit that many of you were RIGHT!!!)
