Speaking of PS Audio...


I demoed a used Lambda II with the SL3 transport against the Sony XA777SE. I had high hopes for the Sony, even thought it is a bit out of my price range. Well, I can't speak for all the raves, but the Sony didn't even compare with regular CDs. It was very dry, boring and uninvolving. And it was also quite rolled off at the lower extremes. This surprised me, so I tried again about 6 hours later with the same results. Then I took a look around for some reviews and found the same opinion here on Audiogon. PS Audio really had something.

I had planned on getting the Jolida JD100, but may change my mind now. Any thoughts from anyone on this?
one_speed

Showing 2 responses by lant5

I'm not familar with the Sony but I do have some experience with the Jolida and a Theta Data Basic transport which from what I can recall is very similar to the PS Audio Lambda. Both used the Phillips CDM9-Pro with a spatial lens filter and shared some other design features that appear to point that they came from the same design. I used the Theta for years and it was a good transport. Over the years I used or demo'd it with a number of DAC's including the very well reguarded Classe DAC-1. I achieved varying results depending on the DAC but even at it's best I still have to say that the Jolida really gets so much right that I decided to part with my transport/dac and interconnect combo.
Someone other than the distributor, a large catalog outfit, or a dealer in Idaho has actually heard a Xindak! Get these people to post a review. I was very interested in the Xindak but the total lack or end user feedback, reviews, conflicting info from the distributor, little info on the Xindak website, and the fact that I just couldn't get my hands on one stopped me from taking the gamble on this unknown brand. The Jolida does offer good bang for the buck and is worth a demo in house. System matching is so much trial and error, go for what actually worked in an in house demo because digital gear just doesn't bring back that much money on the used market. Chasing the sonic holy grail could get expensive.