Okay, I think I’m ready to write my impressions for the Cowon D2 player I bought with Frederik recommendation.
One thing is apparent when moving from the M5 to the D2: the flashy LCD screen, the compact size, the fact that you can add SDHC card and increase the storage size to as much as twice as the size of my old player and in half the size. Progress in flash memory industry is a blessing for MP3 players.
But, I didn’t buy this player to play videos nor I bought it for all the LCD and all the sound filters gimmicks. I bought it for the sheer sound quality and the powerful amp Cowon know for.
I compared the Cowon to the computer sound (Juli@ hooked to and old NAD 705 with SE530 connected to the phones output).
One thing is amazingly clear when you first listen to the Cowon (flat no filters), it is very bright almost too bright, but detailed and powerful. When listening to Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” (flak CD rip) in the first few seconds the treble dominated, compared to the NAD where the treble is a bit subtle (the NAD natural coloration maybe?) the Cowon on the other hand is much more detailed, and the bass is more crispy, the NAD is warmer and easier to listen at higher volume. The mid and Thom York’s voice in the D2 is cold and emotionless.
Moving to Etta James’s “At Last” though the bass is nice; again the coldness in Etta’s voice is apparent. Connecting the D2 headphones output (no line out) to one of the NAD input and listening, the sound gets warmer but losses the details (so it is the NAD coloration).
Listening to Cake’s “Frank Sinatra” again the details is amazing, the bass is deep the treble is clear but the sound cold. Compared to the NAD sound the D2 is more forward-sounding.
Conclusion: in my humble listening test, lacking a real way to compare. The D2 did well. I did compare it to a home receiver that was considered a good at its time. I had no way to compare it to the Juli@ as there is no headphones output.
I did like the detail, the power (2x 34mW), the interface, through my SE530 the D2 revealed more sound and was very clear, the sound stage was also good. However as I have seen in other posts the Cowon D2 amp is cold sounding.
Still, I’ve found the player very enjoying and I’m happy with my decision to go with Frederik recommendation, It’s a potable player after all. thanks for that Frederik
If you have any question, if you have more tests for me to try, if you have any ideas, please, post
