Musical Fidelity also has this type of player. It is called the Trivista. |
Its relatively inexpensive, and I guess fairly well built. I know the distributor and his tech guy claims it's a great piece, esp. for the price point. I think retail is $1695? Tube complement is 6DJ8s (pair) used as current-to-voltage converters in the output stage.
Much cheaper than Trivista. Not sure if it's a true dual diff. balanced design (doubtful) or simply balanced derived from a chip.
-Ed |
Disclaimer: I am a Xindak dealer.
The SCD-2 is a TRUE dual differential balanced design. FYI...There is also an SCD-1, which is the same as the SCD-2, but with solid-state output stages.
The Xindak is the REAL deal. The sonics and build-quality FAR exceed it's asking price ($1695 retail as stated above).
The reason it is so inexpensive, made in China. If this player were designed/manufactured in the US, Europe, etc., I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it sold for over $3000.
I will say this, we dropped the Shanling line in favor of the Xindak. The Xindak is a MUCH better player than the CD-T100 in Redbook, and of course you get SACD with the Xindak.
US distributor for Xindak is top-notch and a genuine pleasure to work with (Jay Bertrand of Bertrand Audio Imports). We also carry the Dared line that Jay imports.
Warning: I have been told that there is apparently a gentleman bringing these units into the US behind the US distributor's back (username of Shamanjr on Audiogon). Please be aware that if you purchase one of these units, the US warranty will NOT be honored (you will have to send it back to China for service).
Please don't hesitate to let me know if anyone has any specific questions on the Xindak.
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
Mike-
Does it play CD-Rs? I haven't had a chance to get/see/listen to one yet from Jay or my local dealer.
thanks
-Ed |
Hello Ed. Yes, according to Jay it will play CD-R's, but I haven't tried it personally.
Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
Well,,, I don't think many would be interested in the Redbook CD section but would be very interested in the players SACD section and especially using the 6dj8 type out put stage. Let's say,,, how does the players SACD section compare to the Sony SACD-1? Is it's SACD sound as well as the SACD-1 by Sony or the top Marantz model? This my be winner if it's sound is first rate. This player would be very compatiable to a high quality 2 ch Bal Tube system. How does it sound? The price is right for many with good systems to jump in and give SACD a try. |
I am also interested in user feedback regarding this player, but would like to know about CD and SACD playback quality. My goal is to eliminate the DAC and have a standalone player for CD and SACD.
Regards |
Dear FS_Audio,
Appreciate if you could let me have te following details:
1. What chipset is featured in this? Is it from Crystal? and what model?
2. Does it have upsampling for Red Book Cds?
3. Is the laser pick up dual-discrete? (that means seperate laser pickups for CDs and SACDs)
4. What is the resoution of the DACS (is it 24 bit/192kHZ)
5. How will this player handle multi channel SACDs? Will it merely output the Front Left and Front Right channels or will it downmix all six channels to stereo and output?
6. Are the tube sockets heavy duty (ceramic?) allowing tube rolling?
7. What is the transport used?
Regards,
Amal |
Amal,
Here are your answers:
1. What chipset is featured in this? Is it from Crystal? and what model?
The chipset is the EXACT same one used in the Sony SCD-1 (a $5000 player)
2. Does it have upsampling for Red Book Cds?
Yes, upsampling to 24/96
3. Is the laser pick up dual-discrete? (that means seperate laser =ppickups for CDs and SACDs)
No. The SCD-2 uses the EXACT same pick-up as the Sony SCD-XA777ES
4. What is the resolution of the DACS (is it 24 bit/192kHZ)
24/192
5. How will this player handle multi channel SACDs? Will it merely = output the Front Left and Front Right channels or will it downmix all =ssix channels to stereo and output?
The SCD-2 is a two-channel ONLY SACD player, so it downmixes multi-channel to 2 channel
6. Are the tube sockets heavy duty (ceramic?) allowing tube rolling?
Yes, they are heavy duty and ceramic. In addition the tubes have heatsink tube covers to increase tube operating life.
7. What is the transport used?
Same exact transport as the Sony SCD-XA777ES
Xindak has actually done OEM work for Sony for many years, hence they have access to a lot of Sony components that most other companies making SACD players do not.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
Mike -
couple points:
1) Metal tube shields (Typical JAN style) as used by the Xindak are going to most likely *decrease* tube life, not extend it. Anyone buying this player should dump those asap. Many studies back up this info, and can be found on the web.
2) the XA777ES *does* use a dual-discrete laser pickup (dual lasers). So, if it uses the same one then it is dual-discrete. However if not, who knows.
http://www.oade.com/Home_theater/Sacd/scdxa777esinside.html
Just some FYI's for clarification ... hopefully I can hear one of these soon from Jay or Joe LaLiberte (Jay's tech guy).
-Ed |
Ed,
Thanks for the info. I was just repeating what Jay (distributor) told me without thinking about it first.
I assume that the covers are to decrease RFI generation from the tubes and shielding from physical damage (being hit, knocked around, etc.)?
So, do the covers not sink ANY heat away from the tubes at all, instead keeping more heat close to the tubes, thereby decreasing operating life?
As far as the pickup/transport, again just repeating what Jay told me. I will have to give him a call again to clear this up.
Thanks and Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio |
Very interesting CDP...looking forward to Mike's update. Are there any reviews on this player? |
No reviews I have seen yet. The Tech guy Jay uses is quite impressed with it and I trust his judgement and credentials. The price can't be beat, really. MIke: yes, the tube shields will trap heat, not sink it really. They are more like insulators/chimneys. The idea is sound to some degree (opinions vary), but the effective coolers are types like the finned ones, I think Bill Pearl makes them. There's some studies (done by military IIRC) out on the web that basically prove the problem with the metal shields, scientifically. Personally I dont' think RFI would be an issue in this player. (at least as far as tubes go). Physical damage would be a non issue as long as the tubes stay in the socket - they are surprisingly rugged. I've dropped 9-pin minis on a hard surface from over 3 feet before and they were fine (unintentionally!).
After CES/THE show I will try to make a point to audition one in-home sometime soon.
-Ed |
hmmmm...really interested now. Once I get my preamp chosen and purchased, I'm going to spring for one these. (Current preamp is a digital processor) |
