BADA HD-23 CD Player

[hornet]

I have bought a new CD Player, a BADA HD-23, coupled with my BADA PH-12 headphone-amp, and my AKG k701. I had already read enthusiastic reviews of the BADA HD-19 and the HD-22. The HD-23 features a Burr-Brown PCM1738 192Khz/24 bit HDCD decoder (Burr-Brown PCM1732 in the HD19 and HD22), digital filtering and converter chip, and a Sony high precision top loading transport provides excellent stability matched with a Phillips servo circuit.
Letting the tech details aside, the HD-23 plays wonderfully every CD, with stunning details, tight bass, and is able to capture every nuance of performance with ease. I replaced the factory tube with a GE 5670 with even better results. It is a great choice IMHO. I bought it from an Ebay Chinese dealer but I have seen that it is also availabe at Morrow Audio and Pacific Valve, for a higher price.

 

[Vic Trola]

FYI -

The Ebay player is not our player as the power supplies will be different.

 

[hornet]

Sure Vic, I know... Your Bada is 120 VAC (made for the US market), while the one that I bought is AC 220V-240V/ 50Hz (suitable for European market). In any case it is a wonderful CD player, and I am more than happy with it.... I am sure that your US customers will be equally enthusiastic after some listening

All the best!

 

[drarthurwells]

BTW hornet,

After trying all kinds of tube combos in the Bada 12 amp, I most like one Tung Sol 6SN7 GT "mouse ears" type in front (or even the Electro Harmonix 6SN7 GT Gold is OK) and two Chinese 6SN7 GT tubes in back.

 

[bergman2]

fyi

i have the bada hd-19 and found the we396a and bendix (i think 2c51) to be excellent upgrades as well....if funds are tight the raythen 5670 is a good too

 

[hornet]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells /img/forum/go_quote.gif BTW hornet, After trying all kinds of tube combos in the Bada 12 amp, I most like one Tung Sol 6SN7 GT "mouse ears" type in front (or even the Electro Harmonix 6SN7 GT Gold is OK) and two Chinese 6SN7 GT tubes in back.

Hello Drarthurwells, I tried the tube combo that you suggested (1 mouse ears plus two Chinese) and it sounds very nice..... Many thanks for that!

 

[Vic Trola]

I must be missing something with the supplied Shuugang 6SN7GT tubes. Are not the Tungs much better?

I have my PH12 with RCA Clear tops - sounds very nice although a scosh noisy.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Trola /img/forum/go_quote.gif I must be missing something with the supplied Shuugang 6SN7GT tubes. Are not the Tungs much better? I have my PH12 with RCA Clear tops - sounds very nice although a scosh noisy.

What is a RCA Clear top? GTB or GTA or GT? The early RCA black tubes were the best.

The Chinese 6SN7 is a great tube as an output tube, when properly matched with another input tube. Using all Chinese 6SN7 is yields great detail (the Chinese 6SN7 is the detail king) but the tone body is lean.

In the Bada 12, use the Chinese 6SN7 in back as outputs, and match with one of these in front as input:

1. Tung Sol 6SN7 GT mouse ears (not round top or other GT Tung Sols)

2. Ken Rad GT (staggered or offset plates only - the others are GE tubes labelled as Ken Rad GTs)

3. Electro Harmonix 6SN7 GT Gold

Now the Chinese tubes provide great detail and high resolution, but this will expose problems in your system. In a really good system, with no weak link in the system, the Chinese Shuguang shows its greatness.

The Tung Sol 6SN7 GT round top is reputed to be the best. Although it is agood tube, I have not found it to be the best in my 6SN7 speaker system preamp or in the Bada 12.

Never use all of the same tube in input and output locations - always mix brands - using one as input and another as output.

See the Bada 12 link in my signature for a full discussion of tube combos.

 

[phipiper10]

The 5670 is definitely a step up from stock but the Bendix 6385 really gives exceptional and airy highs. The Ericsson 396a are an improvement over the stock and the most balanced and truthful of the lot I've tried so far. The Bendix is really something special to hear though.

 

[Sparky14]

That's a nice looking CD player. Has the same look as the Music Hall players, wonder if they are from the same manufacturer.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Trola /img/forum/go_quote.gif FYI - The Ebay player is not our player as the power supplies will be different.

Same as your product, if you specify that you want the 110 V model for USA, which is what Pacific Valve sells. Order the 220 V model for Europe, etc.

Advantage for USA buyers in ordering from Pacific Valve is domestic warranty.

 

[Vic Trola]

Arthur:

Actually, no. We order special units from Bada where we have specially designed power supplies. So, are units are different from the ones youget through ebay.

Thanks for your support though....

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Trola /img/forum/go_quote.gif Arthur: Actually, no. We order special units from Bada where we have specially designed power supplies. So, are units are different from the ones youget through ebay. Thanks for your support though....

You must sell thousands of these units per year in order to get Bada to set up a special assembly line for production of your special units with power supplies different than that of other Bada HD 23 export units (with the 110 volt transformer).

How are your HD 23 power supplies different in design, other than being 110 volt capable?

Perhaps we can get a pic comparison. You (or someone else) send in pics of the power supply of the Pacific Valve model of the Bada HD23 and someone with a 110 volt export model from China can send in pics of their power supply.

 

[edkk323]

I would love to try the cd player

 

[komkris2000]

I agree the Bendix 6385 is the best tube from all 5670 family.
I tried a comparison vs. GE 5670 , WE 2C51 and some other includ the russian equivalents.
Using  a Shanling T100 CDP