JaZZ
Headphoneus Supremus
This is one of my best buys ever. Even used as a transport, connected to a separate DAC, it beats a so-called high-end device by far with its more detailed and livelier sound. Astonishing – well, there are just 0s and 1s to be picked up and transported... Where does such a huge sonic difference result from?
When used as a full-range CD player, it can easily compete with the highly appreciated Bel Canto DAC2. It's even «faster» and more detailed. Well, after my initial euphory, I don't really think it beats the DAC2 overall, but it's at least very close, and if I would have had it first, I probably wouldn't feel the need to buy a better (external) DAC. But now that I have it, I'm happy anyway. In comparison it's refined, a trace darker, with more pronounced low bass and slightly rounded highs – a really beautiful sound! The Philips' DAC is faster, even more detailed and transparent, with slightly accentuated treble. The Bel Canto sounds a bit more 3-dimensional, with a larger and deeper soundstage. It's mainly the choice between power and speed. Often not a simple one, but it's fun to have it.
I promised to mention some quirks:
– The ease of use with CD- and SACD operation is lousy. I'd like to have a basic setting without CD text. Unfortunately it can't be adjusted that way yourself.
– There's no possibility to get the remaining time displayed, and the total time can only be seen when the transport has stopped.
– The reactions to commands are very slooooww.
– Pity the upsampling rate (96 or 192 kHz) can't be chosen without having a TV or monitor connected. BTW, I rather believe the «192 kHz» in the display than the «172 kHz» in the TV menu and the user manual.
– The search function is kind of nerve-wracking: much too slow and unhandy with its mode probably designed for video-DVD use (search stops only when hitting «play» again).
– The «pause» button is completely dispensable: it can't do what the «play» button can't (quite the opposite: to continue playing the «play» button must be activated, which in turn manages the «pause» function as well).
– Some CDs in parts cause awful vibrations of the whole chassis which even can grow to kind of tractor noise. Obviously due to some tracking control activities (involving great moving masses?). My reference transport plays these CDs with stoic calm. After all the reproduction isn't harmed thereby, save by the mechanic noise.
– This was a disappointing experience: with the SACD Chris Gestrin: «Stillpoint» (Songlines SGL SA1540-2), in Track 2 at 4:01 the player jumps abruptly to the next track. A second DVD 963SA showed the same behavior. So I ordered a new disk in the store, but with this one the same effect appeared. It seamed clear that there was a pressing mistake in the whole series. What a pity! Such a fascinating music (contemporary jazz) in superb recording quality, like made for hi-rez! But it was even worse: the same disc was no problem for the cheap Sony SACD players in the CD store...
I thought after so much enthusiasm some criticism isn't bad. It's by far not a perfect device. But it's still a sensational bargain and the best source you can buy – be it for CD or SACD (or DVD) – below say $2000 (to be conservative).
JaZZ
When used as a full-range CD player, it can easily compete with the highly appreciated Bel Canto DAC2. It's even «faster» and more detailed. Well, after my initial euphory, I don't really think it beats the DAC2 overall, but it's at least very close, and if I would have had it first, I probably wouldn't feel the need to buy a better (external) DAC. But now that I have it, I'm happy anyway. In comparison it's refined, a trace darker, with more pronounced low bass and slightly rounded highs – a really beautiful sound! The Philips' DAC is faster, even more detailed and transparent, with slightly accentuated treble. The Bel Canto sounds a bit more 3-dimensional, with a larger and deeper soundstage. It's mainly the choice between power and speed. Often not a simple one, but it's fun to have it.
I promised to mention some quirks:
– The ease of use with CD- and SACD operation is lousy. I'd like to have a basic setting without CD text. Unfortunately it can't be adjusted that way yourself.
– There's no possibility to get the remaining time displayed, and the total time can only be seen when the transport has stopped.
– The reactions to commands are very slooooww.
– Pity the upsampling rate (96 or 192 kHz) can't be chosen without having a TV or monitor connected. BTW, I rather believe the «192 kHz» in the display than the «172 kHz» in the TV menu and the user manual.
– The search function is kind of nerve-wracking: much too slow and unhandy with its mode probably designed for video-DVD use (search stops only when hitting «play» again).
– The «pause» button is completely dispensable: it can't do what the «play» button can't (quite the opposite: to continue playing the «play» button must be activated, which in turn manages the «pause» function as well).
– Some CDs in parts cause awful vibrations of the whole chassis which even can grow to kind of tractor noise. Obviously due to some tracking control activities (involving great moving masses?). My reference transport plays these CDs with stoic calm. After all the reproduction isn't harmed thereby, save by the mechanic noise.
– This was a disappointing experience: with the SACD Chris Gestrin: «Stillpoint» (Songlines SGL SA1540-2), in Track 2 at 4:01 the player jumps abruptly to the next track. A second DVD 963SA showed the same behavior. So I ordered a new disk in the store, but with this one the same effect appeared. It seamed clear that there was a pressing mistake in the whole series. What a pity! Such a fascinating music (contemporary jazz) in superb recording quality, like made for hi-rez! But it was even worse: the same disc was no problem for the cheap Sony SACD players in the CD store...
I thought after so much enthusiasm some criticism isn't bad. It's by far not a perfect device. But it's still a sensational bargain and the best source you can buy – be it for CD or SACD (or DVD) – below say $2000 (to be conservative).
