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Review: Audio Research Reference CD-7 CD Player

Category: Digital

I have now made the progression through Audio Research cd players. I started with the CD-1. Then the CD-2. Next came the CD-3 Mk II. At each step along the way, there were marked improvements soundstaging, realism, low level detail. Most recently, I upgraded to the ARC Reference CD-7. While the others were measured steps in improvements, this was not. It was a giant leap.

My musical tastes run mainly to rock and jazz, with a little of everything else thrown. The CD-7 seems to handle it all with equal aplomb.

To me digital has never been able to get the bass right. There was always something missing on the drums. Analog has always seemed to get the timbre right, but it lacked that last little bit of oomph. Not so with the CD-7. There is an almost analog "rightness". And there is loads of oomph. And the rest of the signal spectrum has that same rightness to it.

The CD-7 comes with 7 vacuum tubes. Which may explain some of the improvements I'm hearing. Yet, even after extended playing, the top doesn't get uncomfortably hot.

I have it hooked into the ARC Reference 3 preamp. The literature says they shae the same input stage. There does seem to be a certain synergy there. My next step will probably be to upgrade to one of the new Reference power amps.

The only weakness I've noticed is the outrageous price. Still, if you have the wherewithal to afford it, I highly recommend.

Associated gear
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Similar products
ARC CD-1
ARC CD-2
ARC CD-3 Mk II
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Showing 1 response by lak

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lak
4,540 posts
 
Thanks for sharing the information.
I received my Reference CD-7 about a month ago and also use the Reference 3 preamp. In addition I’m using a Plinius SA Reference amp.
I find the CD-7 to be an excellent CDP, being a bit airier (in a good way) with very good timbre and bass. Allow at least 100 hours for break-in. I also use an MBL 1531 CDP and a Wadia 20 transport or CEC TL 5100 transport with a Dodson 217 MK II Dac (upgraded to the 218 software with a digital isolation transformer added to the coax-2) in two other systems. Although they are all excellent, I prefer the CD-7. As you pointed out it could be a synergy thing in accompaniment with the Reference 3 preamp however the CD-7 is outstanding regardless what system I put it into.
Best regards,
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