[agile_one]

I gotta admit, I bought this on looks alone. I am a sucker for clean, simple, semi-retro design. Have a look:

Power top - yeah, baby ...

Check the Headphone jack and volume control 'round back

It plays great, and sounds terrific from both analog and digital outs. Headamp is not up to par, but will do in a pinch - drives both HF-1's and HD650's ok.

 

[HumanMedia]

Does look sensational. What are its specs? CD only? HDCD? DAC chip? etc
Oh and whats the approximate retail?

 

[agile_one]

The Thorens TCD 2000 is no longer in production - it was made from about 1996 - 2000. Mine came with no manual, and I find precious little information on the web. From what I have learned so far, it uses a Philips transport, might upsample to 24 bits, 96 kHz, but that is not certain.

No idea yet of dac chips, etc. I'll just have to tear into it and have a look one of these days.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Woooo, that's a nice lookin' box. Somehow manages to look stealthy and pimpin' at the same time. Kudos!

 

[lini]

a_o: That was a nice series (the pre- and power-amps were quite nice, too) and fairly priceworthy to get, when it was on sale-out a couple of years ago. How much did you pay for the player?

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[Voodoochile]

Sucker, indeed. That is cool looking. Even knowing it's a CDP, I still glanced for a tonearm!

Can't wait for further impressions on it.

Congratulations!

 

[mysticaldodo]

Nice foot print

 

[fewtch]

Sweet! Even if it didn't sound that hot, the digital out makes it a definite keeper.

 

[agile_one]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch Sweet! Even if it didn't sound that hot, the digital out makes it a definite keeper.

My thoughts, exactly. With the small, 1/2 wide footprint, it can serve as a transport to a nice dac like the Lavry or Benchmark.

The construction is all metal, and first rate. The gold against black is quite stunning. Here's a couple more pics:

The cover opens and closes automatically, but can also be raised by hand. Press the left knob to Stop/Open. Press the right knob to Close/Play. Rotate the right knob clockwise for Next track, counter-clockwise for Prev track.

Yup. it's all metal - note bubble and leveling set screws.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lini Snip ... How much did you pay for the player?

$1k and change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoochile Sucker, indeed. That is cool looking. Even knowing it's a CDP, I still glanced for a tonearm! Can't wait for further impressions on it. Congratulations!

Thanks, I'm loving it.

I know what you mean about the tonearm. It's a very vinyl like operating experience - raise lid, put platter on turntable, place puck on platter, close lid, play. While playing, one sees the cd spinning through the smoked lid - just like it was a little turntable.

 

[Jazz1]

http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/archive/...rintreview.htm

Review on WWW here.

Man O' Man, that sure looks nice!

 

[jpelg]

Great score, Gene! I admit that I would have bought it on looks alone too - simply beautiful. Build quality appears top-notch too. Enjoy it.

 

[jjcha]

Dang, that is absolutely gorgeous. I'd love to see that thing in a full Mcintosh rig. Very classy.

Best,

-Jason

 

[bobbyk]

I recall these when they first came onto the market.
They were held in quite high regard in the UK for their excellent value for money.
If my memory serves me correctly they were detailed with and open, but warm sound.
They were particularly good with the DAC.
NICE

 

[kentamcolin]

Man that thing is gorgeous! Very special as well, I've never seen or even heard of that one. Good find!

 

[zowie]

Does it play with the top up?