HiWire
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
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I finally got my amp back and running, so I'm going to start posting my impressions of my new CD player. I still have my Panasonic SL-S160 PCDP as a reference, but I'll probably stop making comparisons after a while.
Before I mention anything else though, I noticed the output power is much higher than my Panasonic's - this is logical because of the differences between portable and home players' power supplies and output sections. Anyway, the Arcam sounds much louder at the same level on the volume dial - I'll probably have to turn it down when I listen for longer periods. I've only listened to the first three tracks of Jane Monheit's Taking a Chance on Love on both players so far - I'll listen to a greater variety of music and at greater length when I get back from dinner and the gym tonight. Also, I'll post a pic of my incredibly ghetto audiophile phurniture.
The first things that I am noticing are increased frequency response, improved soundstage, and better flow. Bass was immediately deeper and tighter, and highs are more extended. In terms of soundstage, the perceived space is wider and deeper - also, I can hear accompanying instrumentalists far more clearly now. This is somewhat related to flow - the CD36 makes Jane Monheit's voice more realistic (fuller-bodied, smoother, and more nuanced) while allowing several instruments to stay prominent at the same time. I have noticed that lower-end players have difficulty handling complex arrangements while better players can keep up with a layered sound.
Before I mention anything else though, I noticed the output power is much higher than my Panasonic's - this is logical because of the differences between portable and home players' power supplies and output sections. Anyway, the Arcam sounds much louder at the same level on the volume dial - I'll probably have to turn it down when I listen for longer periods. I've only listened to the first three tracks of Jane Monheit's Taking a Chance on Love on both players so far - I'll listen to a greater variety of music and at greater length when I get back from dinner and the gym tonight. Also, I'll post a pic of my incredibly ghetto audiophile phurniture.
The first things that I am noticing are increased frequency response, improved soundstage, and better flow. Bass was immediately deeper and tighter, and highs are more extended. In terms of soundstage, the perceived space is wider and deeper - also, I can hear accompanying instrumentalists far more clearly now. This is somewhat related to flow - the CD36 makes Jane Monheit's voice more realistic (fuller-bodied, smoother, and more nuanced) while allowing several instruments to stay prominent at the same time. I have noticed that lower-end players have difficulty handling complex arrangements while better players can keep up with a layered sound.