I have an Arcam FMJ CD37 on loan. After a few hours listening (I know needs burn in) and comparing with my Blu-ray player, I have shocking results. My Blu-ray player is a Pioneer BDP-LX91 connected to my reciever via a Van Den Hul Flat HDMI. The CD37 is connected using Van Den Hul 'The Wave' (normally used on the LX91 for CD playback). First of all- Loading times, the blu-ray players down fall. The LX91 would load a CD in about 20 seconds (closing the tray to playing) while the CD37 does it in around 10 seconds. I played a selection of different genres of music and I eventually noticed differences. With CDs the CD37 had very slightly better timing and minutely stronger mid-range. Overall these players sound virtually identical. The differences amount to the CD37 being less than 10% better (lets say 8%) at CD playback. SACD is clearly better than the CD on the LX91. Piano sounds immensly tangiable, like a grand is sitting infront of you.... The only problem is that i only own a few SACDs and the differences in CD playback dont quantify the cost for a seperate CD player.
This may throw a spanner in the works for Blu-ray player/HDMI CD playback. Most people including me would think a £1300 cd player would blow it away. It didn't!
This may throw a spanner in the works for Blu-ray player/HDMI CD playback. Most people including me would think a £1300 cd player would blow it away. It didn't!