Recent content by matthewpianist

If you want the reassurance of new, at an affordable price, the Denon DCD-600NE is very hard to beat, and I would actually pick one over the current and much more expensive Arcam CD5.

Downsizing is difficult. I've tried several times, and failed, and I've come to accept that in regard to the equipment, my current system is where it ends. It isn't too bulky, but it sounds significantly better than its price suggests, whilst also offering playback of all three formats. It can...

I saw that, and that there's a streamer coming as well - good for owners of the 778X. I had one of those, but the 6000A MkII has more life and, at the same time, more refinement. I'm guessing the 778 CDT will have a lot in common with the Audiolab CDTs.

The Technics has their coreless Direct Drive motor, which is excellent. It will make an excellent choice for long term reliability and enjoyment.

A 5-figure price tag for any hi-fi is, in my opinion, money down the drain, unless you like a hefty piece of physical engineering in front of you, and especially so for anything digital, including CD players. That isn't only because I'm not in that league financially; I just believe, based on...

The only thing I'm not keen on with regard to current Arcam amps, having owned an A5, is the user interface. Other than this, there is no doubt that they are nicely made and very capable.

I never implied the IAG/Audiolab/QUAD/LEAK transport was superior to anything else. Those Esoteric transports are beautifully engineered and if I had one I would see no point in replacing it with anything else unless it failed (unlikely). I just don't believe transports make a big difference...

IAG's transport is very hard to beat in my experience. It's quieter than most (actually pretty much silent), and will read almost anything reliably. That's all the transport needs to do - get the 1s and 0s out to the DAC with minimum fuss.

For other arms I would just use the standard 2M cartridges. Apart from the body height, they are exactly the same, and the styli are the same ones. I certainly intend to go for the Blue stylus when I can afford to (and of course that won't require changing the cart), but I do quite like the Red.

I have a 2MR Red on my P3, which replaced an Elys2. It was an improvement in sound, tracks very well with no IGD, and leaves me to get on with enjoying my LPs. I've owned all sorts over the years, including a Sumiko Evo III Blue Point Special on a Michell TecnoArm/TecnoDec, and while I won't...

It's a CD player. Emperor's new clothes...

Audiolab is relatively neutral, and so you'll hear the characteristics of the original recording, and the voicing of your speakers. That's great if, like me, you listen to a wide range of music and don't want a tonal balance that pushes things in one direction or another, but it doesn't suit...

In the end, go with your ears. I don't find my 6000A MkII at all clinical, paired with any of the speakers I have to hand - Wharfedale Diamond 12.3, Dynaudio Emit 10, PSB Imagine B50, Rogers LS2a/2 (currently playing), JPW Sonata and Mordaunt-Short MS10i - but it's possible the 7000A leans...

I agree also. I’ve tried various approaches, but I like what I have settled with now best - an amp that has a very good internal DAC (for the CDT, which does its sole job extremely well) but which makes no attempt to be a streamer, and focuses on being a heck of a good amp. I’ve forgone a...

You've made an excellent choice.