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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2017 6:32:01 GMT
bagging a Pioneer PD91 instead A very nice choice indeed.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 11:53:32 GMT
I guess I am not overally bothered what they sound like as I can plumb the CD player into my Naim streamer as it has inputs that can act as a DAC, so having a good transport is a must... not sure whether that would make buying the Copland a waist really, I am also concerned that the screen is very dull as I do sit someway way from it and that could become a tad annoying. In hat case, maybe a 200 transport would fit the bill. It will allow you scratch your itch and enjoy the aesthetics and ergonomics of Meridian without spending a fortune. You might even be a 500 or 602 transport at a good price. To be fair though, if I bought a CD player it could sound better than using it as a transport into the Naim NDX... it'd be a good test for sure. I am sorely tempted by the Copland as you and I seem to have similar tastes in hifi, so your recommendation is convincing me
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 14:22:07 GMT
If only I still had my Copland, I'd have sent you it to try, I may well seek out another this year but I'd want a silver one, preferably boxed. I got my last one silly cheap and fully expected it to be like the Copland amp I had: Refined but with no groove. I couldn't have been more wrong and it was more lively than my CDX with greater clarity, especially at both frequency extremes. With the dimmed display on the black one on Ebay, I'd be a bit concerned in case there's another latent problem lurking. I guess you could always scratch your Meridian itch with a 208 or 200/203 and look out for a bargain Copland in time. You'd lose nothing on the Meridians as they hold their value very well.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2017 18:34:40 GMT
I always liked the cute Micromega Microdrive transport.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 18:53:00 GMT
Me too. Ive never a Microdrive but I did have a Microdac and it was awful. About as good as a QED digit at best. I've enjoyed the Leader and The Duo In my time but not the Microdac. I was surprised but that's hifi for ya.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2017 20:42:19 GMT
I guess I am not overally bothered what they sound like as I can plumb the CD player into my Naim streamer as it has inputs that can act as a DAC, so having a good transport is a must... not sure whether that would make buying the Copland a waist really, I am also concerned that the screen is very dull as I do sit someway way from it and that could become a tad annoying. If you have a good DAC then get a Cambridge CXC. It sounds better than TEAC T1 VRDS and likely the Copeland as a transport. New it's cheaper than the used models you are looking at and you won't have an issue with repairs or becoming a doorstop not far down the line.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2017 20:47:58 GMT
If you have a good DAC then get a Cambridge CXC. If I was starting again, I'd have a CXC and a Caiman SEG. That would give great SQ for less than £600.
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Post by Greg on Feb 9, 2017 23:24:06 GMT
+1. I would go with that advise 100%. I don't know what could better that for £600. Actually, you'd be daft not to.
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Post by miller65 on Feb 10, 2017 13:24:03 GMT
I now operate with the CXC transport and Caiman SEG and use the DAC Preamp facility directly into my Avondale S100 power amp . The purchase of the SEG to replace my Caiman 11 enabled me to take out the pre amp I was using ,I am really happy with the result and reduced box count in the bargain WAF ! I really think I would need to spend a considerable sum to better this combination so another +1 from me.
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Post by pre65 on Feb 10, 2017 14:40:13 GMT
I'm enjoying my CXC.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 18:28:04 GMT
Hmmm the CXC is sounding more and more interesting, and given the price it's a bargain. Maybe I'll scratch the Meridian itch at a later stage by buying one for my office system.
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Post by Barrington on Feb 10, 2017 18:57:43 GMT
In the ad for the Copland it says it plays SACD's is that correct ?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 19:06:38 GMT
In the ad for the Copland it says it plays SACD's is that correct ? I think that's a miss understanding, it'll play HDCD but I doubt it'll play SACD.
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Post by Barrington on Feb 10, 2017 19:09:02 GMT
In the ad for the Copland it says it plays SACD's is that correct ? I think that's a miss understanding, it'll play HDCD but I doubt it'll play SACD. Yep I thought so and glad because I would have loved it if it had of done.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 19:36:14 GMT
Andrew (singularity) will be able to confirm 100% as he had one.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 19:40:12 GMT
I don't think I ever tried SACD with it but I think it only plays HDCD. From memory, it has a very clever chip in it which is used in some real esoterica. I'm not sure it's fully utilised to run SACD in the Copland though. I'm sure Martin and I discusssed this at the time. I'll have a look back and see if I wrote anything definitive at the time. Edit: it is HDCD. And not SACD. The chip is a Pacific Microsonics PMD100. Here's a review excerpt: "High value for money rears its blessed head in that the Copland has the look, feel and calibre of internal ingredients of players selling for a far higher four figures, like those with a '3' at the front. Whatever one thinks of HDCD, plenty of people regard the Pacific Microsonics PMD100 x8 oversampling digital filter as one of the best sounding on the market; even if you never purchase a single HDCD disc, you should benefit from filter's presence in the '266. To complete the processing combination are a pair of the equally revered Burr-Brown PCM 63P 20-Bit Colinear Converters and a custom-designed crystal clock oscillator 'for a more natural musical performance', i.e. lower jitter. hometheaterreview.com/copland-cda-266-compact-disc-player-reviewed/
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Post by Barrington on Feb 10, 2017 20:12:13 GMT
I also notice it doesn't have the SACD logo on the fascia , a very nice piece of kit non the less ,I had a Copland amp for a short period would loved to have kept it but it just didn't work in my set up.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2017 20:46:05 GMT
The Copland appears to have sold. If it wasn't for the dimmed display, it would've gone quicker.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 11, 2017 11:51:41 GMT
SACD requires a different laser and focussing, like a DVD player. A CD transport could never play an SACD no matter what the electronics.
That Pacific chip was a good one, I had it in the Assemblage DAC I used to own and it did indeed detect and decode the few HDCDs I have in my collection.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2017 13:00:02 GMT
If you're still looking, I couldn't honestly rule out the Consonance 120. I know Jules mentioned he may be selling his and if the price is to your liking it may be worth a listen. They certainly are beautifully put together. I still have one and I do like it; I just have no real frame of reference to judge it by.
Jimmy Hughes initially underestimated it but came to realise it's abilities when compared to a Chord DAC64. I tend to love stuff with the fast, dynamic signature you find in Naim and Exposure. The Consonance is superficially more understated so it didn't grab me initially. I have, however kept it and don't ever feel dissatisfied with what it does. One day I will pick up something else and only then will I be able to be sure about the Consonance.
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