Today I dragged my DAC up to an Audio T branch to have another check on how it compares to other CD players.
Audio T were awfully nice, furnishing a Meridian G07 and a Naim CDX2. Bearing in mind their costs, I was expecting some big things.
The reference system started with an Arcam amp (don't know what it was, but cost around £1300), with a pair of proacs on the back end.
We didn't really get off to a good start. I was intending to get the feel of the amp/speakers with my DAC. Wasn't impressed at all. Pretty yawn inducing and sluggish. So much for Arcam amps. That was rather quickly replaced by an Audiolab pre/power combo. The Audiolab was MUCH better than the Arcam, but was a little too harsh at the top end, and just a little thin in it's body. Guess I've kind of got complacent with my existing amp.
So, down to business. Used several tracks then swapped over to the Meridian on it's own (it was used as transport). Better vocal work, and the mid range was lush. Sluggish, slushy bass, not impressed by that at all. The "driving" groovy mix that my dac produces was reduced to a background sludge. NEXT.
I was expecting big things of the CDX2 as I'm an ex Naim CD player owner. How wrong I'd be. Yes it did have the driving bass, but really did come across as a one trick pony. Simply not natural in it's presentation style. I actually prefered the Merdian unit, and would happily take my DAC over either, despite it not being perfect.
Next weekend I'll be checking out another DAC, from a well known US company. Lets see how that gets on.
Audio T were awfully nice, furnishing a Meridian G07 and a Naim CDX2. Bearing in mind their costs, I was expecting some big things.
The reference system started with an Arcam amp (don't know what it was, but cost around £1300), with a pair of proacs on the back end.
We didn't really get off to a good start. I was intending to get the feel of the amp/speakers with my DAC. Wasn't impressed at all. Pretty yawn inducing and sluggish. So much for Arcam amps. That was rather quickly replaced by an Audiolab pre/power combo. The Audiolab was MUCH better than the Arcam, but was a little too harsh at the top end, and just a little thin in it's body. Guess I've kind of got complacent with my existing amp.
So, down to business. Used several tracks then swapped over to the Meridian on it's own (it was used as transport). Better vocal work, and the mid range was lush. Sluggish, slushy bass, not impressed by that at all. The "driving" groovy mix that my dac produces was reduced to a background sludge. NEXT.
I was expecting big things of the CDX2 as I'm an ex Naim CD player owner. How wrong I'd be. Yes it did have the driving bass, but really did come across as a one trick pony. Simply not natural in it's presentation style. I actually prefered the Merdian unit, and would happily take my DAC over either, despite it not being perfect.
Next weekend I'll be checking out another DAC, from a well known US company. Lets see how that gets on.