A suggestion for a cdp or DAC that sounds like LP12?

Posted by: kuma on 14 February 2004

If there is a such a thing?

Posted on: 14 February 2004 by prowla

I think the CDX has the same aspirations.
(But it is not the same thing.)

Paul Rowlands

Posted on: 14 February 2004 by J.N.

My relatively low spec LP12 (Ittok/DV 10x5) does things with recorded sound that my CDS3 doesn't get close to.

That vinyl magic only comes off vinyl.

There are some whacky valve equipped CD players on the market that promise an 'analogue' sound. In my experience, they can produce a spacious, warm sound; but lack ultimate detail.

So that's a "No" from me.

Posted on: 14 February 2004 by Mr_Sukebe

Kuma,

If there's one thing I think I've learnt in the last couple of years, it's that the LP and CD formats themselves sound different.
In my opinion, CD has more drive, better bass control and much deeper bass capability (there is simply a limit on what a record grove is capable of handling). In response, I feel that LP has got a certain ability to portray things in a much more lifelike manner.
Personally I prefer LP, despite not owning one.

So I'd suggest that trying to make a CD player sound like an LP is a rather bad thing, as you're basically saying that you want a poor bass and less well defined frequency extremes. Fine apart from the fact that it still won't have the lucid midrange that makes LP so good.

As such, seems to make sense to get a CD player that does a good job with the format, not trying to get it to imitate something it'll never manage.

Posted on: 14 February 2004 by kuma

quote:
Originally posted by Mr_Sukebe:

In my opinion, CD has more drive, better bass control and much deeper bass capability (there is simply a limit on what a record grove is capable of handling). In response, I feel that LP has got a certain ability to portray things in a much more lifelike manner.
Personally I prefer LP, despite not owning one..

Interesting Mr. Sukebe. ( btw, where on earth did you get this handle from?

)

I've found that an analogue playback offers bass dynamics and definition easier than most digital playback. I always try to find a cd player/DAC that can match the bass performance of analogue. Altho, other turn tables might offer better bass than LP12. ( I haven't heard the tricked up LP12, however )

Years ago, I've done AB between my Krell kps25 and decked out VPI TNT ( these are your round-earth nightmare systems

) and surprisingly they both sounded similar including the bass delivery. The striking difference was how TNT sounded more immediate ( very much like how Naim portrays music ) This particular table did not sound *organic* as LP12, but, I think that's VPI's voicing.

I agree with you that I don't mind some analogue playback. ( not all just like I do not care for all digital playback )

The consensus seems to be either analogue rules or admit they are two different things with different sonic virtues. ( I am not sure if I agree with that, however... )

Posted on: 14 February 2004 by kuma

quote:
Originally posted by ghunter:
My CDX2 comes very close to my LP12 (Valhalla/Ittok VII SE/Adikt). The LP12 wins for mid-range warmth, the CDX2 wins for crisp detail. I've done a/b tests with a few people and they agree that neither one is better than the other, but they are definitely slightly different.

Graham

Yeah.. I didn't think CDX2 sounds like LP12..
As Paul said, same aspiration, yet different.

Posted on: 14 February 2004 by kuma

quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
My relatively low spec LP12 (Ittok/DV 10x5) does things with recorded sound that my CDS3 doesn't get close to.

That vinyl magic only comes off vinyl.

There are some whacky valve equipped CD players on the market that promise an 'analogue' sound. In my experience, they can produce a spacious, warm sound; but lack ultimate detail.

What CDS3 missing out over LP12?
I haven't heard any valve players that can emmulate the analogue sound. They tend to sound trite or pretty straight forward. A few non-upsampling valved DAC were pretty good, tho. ( that is if you get lucky with transport and digital cable combinations )

Posted on: 15 February 2004 by J.N.

quote:
What CDS3 missing out over LP12?

Never mind that comparison. I was over at my Naim dealer's the other day. He had a Rega turntable running through a £400 valve phono stage (Project?) Nait 5i and a £350 pair of Epos speakers.

That was producing a sound to fall into!

CD players just don't do that.

Posted on: 15 February 2004 by kuma

quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
I was over at my Naim dealer's the other day. He had a Rega turntable running through a £400 valve phono stage (Project?) Nait 5i and a £350 pair of Epos speakers.CD players just don't do that.

Yeah. Probably i'd prefer my digital playback than the above turntable setup.