Levinson M37 transport and M 360S DAC, when connected with Madrigal's MDC-1 AES/EBU dig. cable is TOO resolved, ie analytical to the point of distraction. BUT, when connected with Cardas Lightning AES/EBU cable, mucicality-- including PRT are excellent. I would describe this pair-- with the Cardas cable as resolved yet musical-- to use your words.. Cheers. Craig.
Musicality v. Resolution -- Extremes?
Ok, I've often heard off-handed comments regarding the fabled "classically musical" or "classically resolved" CD player. However, these days everyone is falling over themselves to describe any given CD player as one that is "resolved yet musical," (which is, after all, what I suppose we’ve all been conditioned to thirst for). Assuming that the old resolving power v. musicality is a spectrum (possibly an incorrect assumption, and one that leaves out a whole host of other variables, but humor me) who would lie towards the extremes? For example, taking into account my tastes and current setup, I would run out to hear a CDP that was described, above all else, as "warm, laid back, smooth, lush and musical." Is there such a beast? Or, in the race to the middle of the spectrum, is there no one left at the extremes? (Fine, I admit that the best will likely be the ones that can approach both ends of the spectrum simultaneously, but that’s another question). Thoughts?