Yssl (Yujean Kang, Tangram Audio), these forums are not for unsolicited promotion of product lines one distributes or sells. Sorry to play net cop and nothing personal, but someone would say something eventually...usually done by Audiofeil, the resident watchdog here. |
Speaking of one box cd player, you should really hear AcousticPlan's Vadi CD player. Its amazing and can go up against anything. It may be unknown but its good.
If you examine the way of how it built, you will see it's true merit! |
high-rez downloadable content is rapidly growing Let's not get crazy; it's improving, but at a glacial pace. There is still a paucity of popular music in high res and it is often unclear if the tracks are simply upsampled or properly remastered into the higher resolution. |
There are several websites out there:
referencerecordings.com
acousense.com
ultraaudio.com
2L.musiconline.no
just to name few, high-rez downloadable content is rapidly growing. I tried using Mac too, didn't work. You're better off with a asio4all driver on an XP based computer for now.
Good luck! |
Where do you get your 24/192 downloads? And what software do you use to play them? I'd like to try that too. I have a Mac computer, but iTunes doesn't seem to support anything more than 16 bit 48KHz files (some people swear it supports 24/96, but Apple couldn't confirm this, and the software itself indicates otherwise). |
Cleop, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I agree with you on the sound of the Meridian vs EMM/DCS. The PD/DZ pre run very well on normal IC too, I had my PD connected with the Evolution Acoustics SE interconnects before the 50 Ohm BNC Zeel cable and the sound quality can hardly be told apart, if at all. I haven't heard the DZ pre and power amps connected through SE interconnects (my old Valhalla's) for a long time, but I remember that the sound was still extremely impressive. Have fun with the 808.21i as it is a great component! I'm tinkering with the 24/192 high-rez downloads into my PD next, that should be fun. |
and what about the Soulution 740? |
Hi Mtkhl567,
I do have an 808.2 (and used to have the EMM Labs) running directly into a DartZeel amp, driving Vandy 5A's. I'd like to try the PD, but I need something with a variable output (the Vandy's use a balanced line-level high-pass filter that plugs into the amp, so the DartZeel preamp -- which uses a 50 Ohm BNC connection -- won't really work for me).
Something tells me we deal with the same gentleman in the Pacific Northwest.
The Meridian 808 and 808.2 do look the same, but the inside of the case, the power supply, and the circuit-connection scheme have all been changed (or so I've been told), which is why the old units can't be upgraded.
I agree that changing a component can help you make a comparative evaluation, but not an absolute judgment, because of potential colorations elsewhere in the system. But that said, there are certain tell-tale distortions that, once removed, become somewhat obvious. The 808.2 simply sounds less digital to me than the EMM Labs -- less hard, more natural. I once heard the new DCS Puccini on Vandy 5A's and felt it sounded qualitatively a lot like the EMM Labs, but you can never be sure in someone else's system. |
Interesting Cleop, the long-time Meridian dealer here said they could be upgraded...
Comparing can be a tricky thing, isolating only exactly one component with another. Don't you think? You have the 808.2? May I ask what system you run this with? |
Mtkhl567, a Meridian 808 cannot be upgraded to an 808.2 because of all the changes made inside and out (they probably should've called the new player something different, like an 809). And sonically, the two machines are different animals -- probably because the .2 uses Meridian's new "apodising" filter. I don't know how the 808.2 compares to the DCS, Soulution, or Playback Designs machines, but I preferred it head-to-head to an EMM Labs CDSD SE - DCC2 SE combo (which had previously smoked an older 808) on redbook CD's. |
Clavil, I didn't visit that room, but I know the Puccini and the Thiel's sound ... don't get me wrong the sound in these rooms were very, very good, and some have certain outstanding qualities, just overall not THE BEST to my ears. |
quote I was at CES and none of the rooms using DCS were among the best sounding IMHO, maybe that's a coincidence ...
how was the room of Jeff Rowland with dCS Puccini & Thiel 3.7? |
Mert, I stand corrected, the Meridian we auditioned was the old 808 not the 808.2 which, as you correctly stated, does not play DVD-A! There is a way to upgrade the 808 to .2 but I'm not sure about the DVD-A capability. I think Meridian dropped it.
I'm not sure there is a standard definition of an audiophile per se. In my book someone who loves music and is willing to go to some lengths to maximize the listening experience can be called an audiophile in my book. Anyway, this hobby needs to be fun, some take it much too serious...
You were a DJ? Cool, that means you are at least a music lover, the whole gear thing is secondary! |
mtkhl67
I have maximum 400cds: xrcd,sacd,cd. I can't say I am a stereotype audiophile, even I can't claim that I am 100 percent an audiophile! Don't have analog gear and don't want to sail to unknown seas. However my expertise is the get most pleasing overall sound for a given setup with tweaks.(mostly with cables) Maybe I gained this skill while I was a DJ....(still I play with pro stuff and experiment Hi-End gear together with P.A. stuff)
That's it! |
Mert, the 808.2 Sig Ref took my 24/96 Chesky DVD Audio recordings like a pro, just like that, and for sure that sounded MUCH better than CD. Sometimes I guess manufacturers specs don't reveal all, don't ask me why. DVDA is dead though as a format.
Now look who's calling the kettle black, you've changed gear more than I have! Like you say, I don't mess much with components. But I have a good set of ears and I enjoy comparing. And my music library is expanding by 25+ titles a week ... which is what its all about. |
Mtkhl567
:):) ı didn't know that you were the offical spokeman of Meridian. However, I see, you haven't studied your lesson carefuly.
You need to know that 808.2 doesn't support DVD-A according to manufacturer's given specifications. Tell me how you or your friend could cracked 808.2 in order to listen DVD-A?
By the way, I don't have anything against Meridian since I do own Meridian gear as well.
Good luck and do what you know best!( just listen music, don't mass much with electronics) |
Ray Kimbers room really bowled me over, with the four TAD's and his Isomike recordings... |
Man, that Magico M5 room was flippin awesome.... |
Mert, it sounds better with ALL well recorded 16/44.1 material ... much more analogue sounding. With 24/96 DVD-A Meridian even excels further. I was at CES and none of the rooms using DCS were among the best sounding IMHO, maybe that's a coincidence, bc the Scarlatti is among the best digital front end.
Ironic because I think the Magico M5 room was declared best sound of the show and they used a server based source with the Modwright Transporter if I remember well. Oh well, maybe we're all paying too much for digital :-)
What was your question again? |
Mtkhl567
Don't get me wrong too, you haven't answered my question yet... I know very well meridian 808.2 player, it may sound better only with XRCD based cds compared to Puccini unless if you don't switch PCM on.:) |
Playback DAC MPD-5 retails for $11K |
|
Bvdiman, to answer your question, no not at this time. However they do make a MPD-5 (just the DAC), the DAC is that good. The box looks the same. $15K retail, ex shipping & insurance & duties. DAC price I don't know.
Web: playbackdesigns.com |
Mert, this wasn't even a planned comparison. The dealer asked for it when I mentioned I had it in the car (the plan was to try it in my friends system). When we did try it against the Meridian and the DCS, it surprised all that listened ... but it was a group consensus, not just my opinion. Including a recording engineer 30 years in the biz of worldwide renown. The associated equipment was high-end enough for the comparison (about 80K Euro retail). You should get the clock though if you haven't already, without the clock the difference was even more substantial.
Don't get me wrong, the Puccini is a fine player, the MPS-5 is better. And yes, those who know me, my sound reference remains the GPA Monaco turntable. |
Back on topic, there is a discussion thread in the amp/preamp/controller forum about the Soulution 710 amplifier on avguide.com in which the Soulution 740 is mentioned favorably. |
Mtkhl567
mps-5 will sound better to you no matter which cdp it is compared since you own it:)
I would like to know under what conditions you have compared those cdp's? powercord? interconnect? pre and power amps? speakers? Sacd ? red book? or two identical duplicated cd? |
Mtkhl567,
If all you said were true, it sure is worth looking into.. A bargain! Do they (Playback) make anything above MPS-5 ie.separates/flagship? Do they have a website or something? How much retail? |
I took my MPS-5 to a world-wide renowned dealer/sound engineer, been in the music/equipment biz 30+ years, someone who knows everyone on this planet in the biz. My friend was comparing the Meridian 808i with the Puccini and clock. The Meridian won convincingly, more natural, more real, more balanced, no edginess that the Puccini displayed along with overemphasis on HF detail. So my friend took the Meridian home. We compared both with the Playback Designs MPS-5, and to everyones surprise it beat both the Meridian and the Puccini clearly. The MPS-5 seemed to take the best of Meridian and DCS and then took it a big step further. One comment was, this makes my analog rig obsolete! Here, nobody had heard about the Playback, who makes it, how much does it cost, where can I get one etc etc.
Didn't get a chance to compare to Paganini or Scarlatti, but then your talking 3-5X the price. Thank you Andreas/Jonathan for bringing such a fantastic product on the market, clearly among the very best that exists today, but price wise extremely competitive! |
"So please let's not be so dogmatic about brands.
Good performance systems is what we aim for.."
Well put Kops.... |
welldone kops, finaly someone made very accurate statement over stealth cables. I have tried twice to find reasons to buy Stealth Indra but in the end I had to put Valhalla action again. In reality Metacarbon and nanofiber are the best outcome of Stealth Cables. Poor Sergei:) |
Kops, in what areas did you feel the Puccini improved (I'm supposing it does...) over our Emm? |
In my opinion the dCS Pucini, Soulution and the latest Accuphase dp700are the best single box players. I have a friend in Germany heard the Spectral vs Puccini and ordered Puccini withSpectral dma250 and ss30.
I bought Puccini after having Emmlabs cdsa se.
I use Stealth Dream power cord excellent match, also good much the lessloss for bigger value.
With Puccini is crucial to use right interconnects.
For instance the Stealth Nanofiber is excelent match for solid state electronics and better than the Indra, but Indra is way better with tube electronics. In mixed systems (tube preamp and ss amp) Metacarbon or Indra are better.
So everything is about matching and that is this hobby is all about.
Of course reliable equipment and especially in digital players, audiophiles with expererience could agree with me, especially with similar upgrade path.
So please let's not be so dogmatic about brands.
Good performance systems is what we aim for. |
SDR 4000 is player only, Berkeley is stand alone DAC with volume control, so you could drive your FM 611 direct. |
Teddy_Bear, my apology.. Did you also tested vice versa? Maybe the SDR4000 was more at home (better synergy) mating their own gears?
Just curious cause I'm now in the market looking to upgrade current player. Got recommendation from AVguide to go SDR4000 or Berkeley which both I'm not familiar with. Therefore insights from anyone having real 'living' experiences with current top crop players will be much appreciated.
However, can't quite agree to opinions stating that old DCS stack sounds 'cold and analytical'. Had mine driving different--tubes, SS, speakers set up for the past 5yrs and never once came across such. But yes, they do need little attention to what's interconnecting them, including power cords, and good AC is mandatory. |
Bvdiman, read carefully, I have said that I listened Scarlatti play in two different systems |
Interesting.. Comparing two units in two totally different set-ups? Might be other variants at play? ..Speakers? |
New one is not much better, heard Scarlatti on the DartZeel and ProAc D100; and on full Spectral/SDR 4000, DMC 30SS, DMA 250)/MIT/Magico Mini II system. SDR 4000 was so much musical and involving then Scarlatti. |
Teddy bear! Bingo! by saying cold and analytical you just explained old DCS full stack! |
Clavil do your ancesters come from Romania? Are you afraid of garlic :-D ? |
as a Teddy bear you should maybe take a little bit of straw out of your ears
sorry, it was a joke, I couldn't resist |
Mert, with "wrong" associated gear and cables Puccini can and does sound dull and underwhelming. dCS to me is like computer audio. |
I heard it and it's cold and analytical, overblown images. Lot of sounds but not much music out of it. |
you can see it here:
http://www.hififorum.nu/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=54678&whichpage=24
Teddy Bear, have heard the DCS Puccini? |
Metronome Kalista? French parfume? never heard about it? :) |
I have yet to hear something that could beat Metronome Kalista one box player |
Clavil,
I use elrod sig 2 with puccini since I have JPS Aluminata interconnect. Before I have used acrolink 7n-pc7100. However I have Nordost Valhalla, Shunyata Anaconda and PAD Ann. as reserve cables. Keep in mind, every gear requires different cable. I used to have Pass Labs X250.5 now I have Krell Evo 402 which requires different order of powercords and cables for best result since I have Boulder 810 preamplifier. If I had ARC REF 3, than maybe another powercord would yield best outcome with DCS. |
I have heard last week the Puccini in one system composed by Karma speakers, Air tight electronics first and after Boulder electronics, very very good sound, after they used Soulution player, very difficult decision, perhaps with Boulder i prefer Soulution and with Air tight Puccini, but I can live with both players, finally they used Scarlatti system, not day and night ,but clearly better than Puccini and a little beter than Soulution, my advice, are you rich? you don´t know what is going up with the CRISIS? buy Scarlatti, you don´t have all the money and need a credit or have the money but not a lot more? buy Puccini or Soulution or perhaps Playback designs and you will be very happy, or perhaps twice happy with sound and some money in your pocket for to buy CD, LP.... |
mert, which power cable do you use?
thanks |
with ''right'' associated gear and cables Puccini outperforms any one box cdp in the market. Period.
me? actual Puccini user who realy lives on daily basis. |
DCS Puccini cold and sterile?
sorry I don't agree at all and if it wasn't a problem of unlucky combitation, how would you then qualify Krell EVO 505, EMM Lab Combi, Esoteric 03 combi?
DCS Puccini seems to me the perfect combination beetween high resolution and musicality
I have heard it with Avalon Indra + Howland
Avalon Sentinel + Pass
Vivid + ??
I have heard quite a few CD Players, after a couple of months I have decided that it was the right one for me.
Sorry I had no chance to hear to the soulution |
