written by Andreas. on 08/11/2002
Good Points
Detail, clarity, timing, midrange timbre, 3-dimentionality.
Bad Points
Not the strongest bass around, sometime it seems to luck body, needs careful partering
General Comments
This is an exceptional player, especialy if you find it in a discount price. Timing and detail are first rate, and betters much pricier equipment on these points. Bass is OK, not the deepest, or strongest one, but it is tuneful and articulate. It has it's own opinion about the timbre of the instruments, as a result of a good implementation of "legato link conversion", but, as with the treble quality, depends on the recording: Voices can sound thick sometimes, and wind instruments exposed.
It can also be said, that the separation of instruments and vocalist is unique, as the projection in the listening room that can give the impression of a live concert feeling.
To get the best of this player you have to overcome its vices:
1) It needs good partnering equipment. Its matching pioneer precision amplifier works extremely well in this point - as for the others, they must handle the "legato link" harmonics, and not all of them do.
2) Beware of the loudspeakers - they shall have a smooth voicing and pure treble, otherwise the sound can be really irritating. You will be luckier with floorstanders, as generally, go deeper and have more "body" to the sound than standmounters. With the latter, you must be more careful
3) It is very sensitive on mains purity. I find that partnering it with a mains purifying device can be mandatory
3) It loves some vibration absorb underneath, (not necessarily something expensive like Towshend's cd sink - even sorbothan feet can do the job). Thus, it seems to gain on weight and fluidity. However, this is just a small luxury - it is not obligatory.