Music Hall CD25

[BMBROWN911]

Just curious if you people would consider this player audiophile? or Midfi? Just curious!

 

[stryker]

Relative to what's out there, it's definitely mid-fi. However, in modified form, it can enter the realm of genuine hi-fi. That is, to those of us who cannot afford multi-thousand dollar sources.

 

[tyrion]

I have one modded by Modwright. I have to say up front that I am selling one (I have two) so you could consider me biased but I really like this player. I can't compare to a stock as I bought both modded. I had a chance to listen to a couple of Meridian players today and they were excellent. However, they are also more expensive. You can read about the mods at:Modwright There are other professional modders of this player. You should check them out as well.

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion I have one modded by Modwright. I have to say up front that I am selling one (I have two) so you could consider me biased but I really like this player. I can't compare to a stock as I bought both modded. I had a chance to listen to a couple of Meridian players today and they were excellent. However, they are also more expensive. You can read about the mods at:Modwright There are other professional modders of this player. You should check them out as well.

tyrion's modded CD25 player was heard by many at the Florida meet this weekend, and all were impressed, including me, and I have a Meridian 588 as reference.

In modded form, it is a great performer with excellent value/performance.

 

[insomniac]

Two questions:

1) Although mid-fi, is the stock version still a significant upgrade from the likes of an NAD C521BEE?

2) Are there any other good mods that don't use tubes? How about the Sound Odyssey mod?

 

[tyrion]

Buy my modded cd-25 and you won't have to worry about the unmodded cd-25. Too late, I sold it.

 

[strohmie]

I had the unmodded HD25 ages ago and did enjoy it, though it could occasionally be a little bright. I used it with the Perreaux and CD3000s, which might explain the brightness. A pretty nice deal for a ~$300 CD player (used).

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by strohmie I had the unmodded HD25 ages ago and did enjoy it, though it could occasionally be a little bright. I used it with the Perreaux and CD3000s, which might explain the brightness. A pretty nice deal for a ~$300 CD player (used).

The modded version with the tube stage is a completely different animal. The shrillness and overly bright character is replaced by nice, smooth, grainless detail with no sibilance at all. A big improvement over stock ... this is from about 10 - 15 minutes of listening with some very familiar CD's at a meet - ymmv

 

[stryker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by insomniac Two questions: 2) Are there any other good mods that don't use tubes? How about the Sound Odyssey mod?

I have the level 2 Sound Odyssey mod and I love it. It sounded great at Level 1 and I believe was superior to the SACDmods 222ES that I had. I think the Sound Odyssey mods are a great value since a new Level 1 cost $695. The clock upgrade is the most substantial mod aside from the opamps and it really does make a big difference. I think that other mods shops address the power supply caps and resistors, instead of an aftermarket clock, which yields less on a price/performance scale. You're paying more for the labor going into removing the boards and soldering and desoldering these parts (which are also inexpensive from a parts perspective). I'd love to do a side-by-side on these mods.

I then had a Never Connected power supply put on the Trichord clock along with a Bybee filter between the clock and the DAC. After that, this thing was smooth as silk. Any remaining grain and harshness vanished, the pacing eased just a touch, all the while throwing a mightier soundstage that just surrounds you pulls you in. With the Level 2, it took a jump up to the next class, which it should at around $900. Still, I think it's a bargain player.

If I put in a ZapFilter, I would imagine this thing is going to be close to a Meridian or other similarly-regarded player. I haven't heard much, but enough to know what a good digital source sounds like and I believe it responds well to mods, which are easy to do on this player. I'm sure there are other budget players out there that respond well to these typical mods, but this model is just so darn cheap for what you get.

 

[fly_fish_nz]

I have and and like the Parts Connexion Level Two Mod on the CD25. For a full blown review on the player unmodded, a level one mod, and then the level two, see 6moons.com, either this month or last in the archives.