Harmonix Reimyo CDP-777 / DAP-777

[HiWire]

Has anybody auditioned this player or the Reimyo DAC since they were mentioned previously? A few of the newer reviews posted at Harmonix's site mentioned some kind of upgrade since the original units were manufactured.

Here is a link to the web site:
http://www.combak.net

It doesn't seem to be getting the same kind of press that the Wadia, Meridian, Linn, or dCS units are receiving - partially due to its stratospheric price (for Redbook), I suppose.

 

[GoRedwings19]

Ahh the reimyo.

Very few people have heard one. Yet everyone has heard the players you mention.

It is very expensive seeming it just plays redbook cd. And the question if it does it better or just differently to its other big named and equally big priced peers is questionable.

Or maybe people just prefer to have a "known" name rather than a Japanese cdp manufacturer.

I remember when the Marantz cd7 came out and people were amazed at the time that Japanese cdp maufacturers could produce one.

the headfiers voltron and agile one, jjcha have heard one.

If I were to upgrade then I only would consider auditioning the Burmester or the Reimyo as they seem to offer the sound and tonality I prefer. Hopefully once I get out of my lazy "phase" I will get round to it

 

[HiWire]

I like the way that it's described in the reviews (paraphrasing here): laid-back, musical, and straightforward. It seems to have less of a "special-effects" audiophile sound than some other equipment... from a value point of view, however, it might be smartest to pair a decent transport to their DAC ($5,000) rather than spend $15,000 on the CD player.

The creator mentioned that they refused to retire the DAC from the market, instead upgrading to a similar standard as the CD player.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiWire I like the way that it's described in the reviews (paraphrasing here): laid-back, musical, and straightforward. It seems to have less of a "special-effects" audiophile sound than some other equipment... from a value point of view, however, it might be smartest to pair a decent transport to their DAC ($5,000) rather than spend $15,000 on the CD player. The creator mentioned that they refused to retire the DAC from the market, instead upgrading to a similar standard as the CD player.

As far as I know, even the upgraded DAC still uses 20bit JVC K2 technology, not the latest K2 technology used in the CDP.

For what it's worth, I once asked someone who owns Meitner DCC2 who had the Reimyo CDP in his system. He prefers the Meitner, but he owns one...

 

[HiWire]

Hmm... maybe the 24-bit DAC will trickle down eventually, just like the isolation feet.

I will re-read Voltron, jjcha, and agile one's impression of the player.

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiWire Hmm... maybe the 24-bit DAC will trickle down eventually, just like the isolation feet. I will re-read Voltron, jjcha, and agile one's impression of the player.

just Pm them. JJcha has heard it in tokyo and agile one has heard one.

As for the emm labs V reimyo debate there is a problem with that kind of analysis. If it was an wadia V emm labs or a teac d70 vu series then it would be more valid.

The Reimyo's are the complete opposite to the emm labs presentation in music just like the burmester is.

It's like comparing a hp-1000 to a Rs-1 or Qualia 010 to hd650. They have a different style.

You cannot make a person like a hp-1k phone if they like the rs-1 type of sound or vice versa.

 

[jjcha]

Lol, I don't have any real written impressions of the player - all I can say is that I've heard it at an audio show in Tokyo where it was driving a fantastic speaker rig I was totally unfamiliar with. It was one of those magical "there's a real trumpet player in the room right now!" type experiences. But I can't intelligently speak to it's comparisons with other high end sources.

Does anyone here actually own one?

Best,

-Jason

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha Lol, I don't have any real written impressions of the player - all I can say is that I've heard it at an audio show in Tokyo where it was driving a fantastic speaker rig I was totally unfamiliar with. It was one of those magical "there's a real trumpet player in the room right now!" type experiences. But I can't intelligently speak to it's comparisons with other high end sources. Does anyone here actually own one? Best, -Jason

Sell your chord then go get one Jay!

 

[HiWire]

Yes, we're all right behind you... way behind you!

 

[Rob N]

There's one for sale here (along with some other stuff)

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ube&1134038001

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob N There's one for sale here (along with some other stuff) http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ube&1134038001

I know about this muppet. I entered a deal with another headfier to buy the stuff.

He kept changing his mind if he wanted/not want to sell. So this headfier and I called his bluff.

He then agreed and at the last minute upped the price but quite a few thousand dollars.

What was my end of the deal. I wanted the reimyo. But funnily enough he did not adjust the price on that. It was on the sds, r-10's and balanced Qualia's and a few bits and bobs which the other headfier wanted.

The other headfier decided this was not part of the original negotiations so he decided to withdraw. A decision which I totally respected.

So there was my probably my only chance of getting my grubby little mitts on the reimyo.

Ahh well. But then again I don't give up that so easily....

 

[HiWire]

Good luck with that... it sounds like you can't really go wrong with this unit... unless you're looking for something edgy and upfront and "analytical."

 

[Voltron]

I have heard the Reimyo side-by-side with the Emm Labs transport and DAC6e (or whatever the number is) in a very nice system driving B&W 800Ds, with add'l super-tweeters, among other speakers. I probably posted basically the same thing if you are as resourceful as GRW19 and can find it, but here are my impressions as I remember them.

I had thought ahead of time that the Reimyo would beat the Meitner gear on Redbook sound, which is sometimes bandied about as gospel. When I say "beat" it, I mean be more appealing to the ear and present the music in a more natural way, without the analytical, etched edgy sound that I thought might come from the Meitner stuff. The owner of all this gear thought the same until he A/B'd them.

We did the same when I visited him, and I agreed with him that the Emm Labs was better on CD and SACD than the Reimyo was on Redbook. The music ranged from some great female vocals, to ensemble jazz, to some wild asian drum music. We typically had both SACD and CD versions, but may have used some hybrids as well.

The Reimyo sounds great on Redbook, so don't get me wrong. Very natural, not analytical as you said, and presents the music with warmth. I'm all for accuracy and transparency but I don't like to dissect music, I like to experience it. The Emm Labs combo was amazingly warm and rich on Redbook and SACD alike. The vocals and mids were liquid, but the highs and even deep down bass were distinct and tight. I was amazed.

I truly value your opinion GRW19, but I think you need to keep the Emm Labs in the running with the Reimyo and Burmester when you get off your butt and get into the market seriously.

I think you might be surprised how similar they could be. Of course, I have never heard any Burmester gear and dearly want to do so. That comment is just based on reading about the B team stuff.

FWIW, I would love to have the Reimyo CDP, but I would not pay the money for it. I am not sure what the list price is on the Emm Labs combo, but they come up regularly on A-gon and can be had for less than the list price of the Reimyo which you seldom see anywhere. Also, you would have an incredible DAC (whether 2- or 6-channel) for other purposes as well.

Good luck, and enjoy the hunt!

 

[GoRedwings19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltron I have heard the Reimyo side-by-side with the Emm Labs transport and DAC6e (or whatever the number is) in a very nice system driving B&W 800Ds, with add'l super-tweeters, among other speakers. I probably posted basically the same thing if you are as resourceful as GRW19 and can find it, but here are my impressions as I remember them. I had thought ahead of time that the Reimyo would beat the Meitner gear on Redbook sound, which is sometimes bandied about as gospel. When I say "beat" it, I mean be more appealing to the ear and present the music in a more natural way, without the analytical, etched edgy sound that I thought might come from the Meitner stuff. The owner of all this gear thought the same until he A/B'd them. We did the same when I visited him, and I agreed with him that the Emm Labs was better on CD and SACD than the Reimyo was on Redbook. The music ranged from some great female vocals, to ensemble jazz, to some wild asian drum music. We typically had both SACD and CD versions, but may have used some hybrids as well. The Reimyo sounds great on Redbook, so don't get me wrong. Very natural, not analytical as you said, and presents the music with warmth. I'm all for accuracy and transparency but I don't like to dissect music, I like to experience it. The Emm Labs combo was amazingly warm and rich on Redbook and SACD alike. The vocals and mids were liquid, but the highs and even deep down bass were distinct and tight. I was amazed. I truly value your opinion GRW19, but I think you need to keep the Emm Labs in the running with the Reimyo and Burmester when you get off your butt and get into the market seriously. I think you might be surprised how similar they could be. Of course, I have never heard any Burmester gear and dearly want to do so. That comment is just based on reading about the B team stuff. FWIW, I would love to have the Reimyo CDP, but I would not pay the money for it. I am not sure what the list price is on the Emm Labs combo, but they come up regularly on A-gon and can be had for less than the list price of the Reimyo which you seldom see anywhere. Also, you would have an incredible DAC (whether 2- or 6-channel) for other purposes as well. Good luck, and enjoy the hunt!

Oh no please understand I am not saying which is better or worse. I am just trying to say that the poster who poster that he had a friend who preferred the emm labs over the reimyo was just a generalisation and open to interpretation.

All that tells me is his preferences. But I need to more than that. I need to know quiet to loud attack transistion. I need to know how's the bass. How high the highs go. I need a more insightful representation rather than a one liner which tells me nothing. I want to know WHY he likes it over the Reimyo.

Eventually I will get round to ordering them in and evaluating for my pleasure. But I am in the middle of building a PC with the help of some friends.

I wonder which I would prefer.

 

[HiWire]

I have added a poll to this thread regarding the Reimyo (or some other flagship source) as an investment. I know that many of us are wealthier or impulse buyers, but I tend to plan my purchases in months and years. Cheers!