The CDS2 has landed!

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Am I missing anything?

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Loads of coffee and a good excuse for not showing up at work tomorrow

Thomas

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a good excuse for not showing up at work tomorrow

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Unfortunately, I've heard there a system crash at my client's site, so I don't have a choice. I'm surprised they didn't try to get me in there today. However, it's just a client, and not my "employer", and I have a little more leeway becuase of it.

I just plugged in the XPS to warm-up. It's not connected to anything yet. I'll get the CDS2 running during the next big compile.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

would be cruel to add any more listening configurations, you have enough there to last u all night...

enjoy anyway...

ken

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i suppose you want to establish for yourself how the cdx on mana compares with cdsii sans mana? sorry i must have missed something in earlier messages, but isnt your cdsii new??

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There are Manaphiles who claim that a 200 quid Japanese CD player on "lots" of Mana can sound "almost" as good as a CDS2 on little or no Mana.

Although the CDS2 is still cold, we just did the first comparison of CDX on Mana(phase4) to CDS2/XPS on the X-Caliber. The CDS2 won by a wide margin, and even my wife (a devoted non-audiophile) admitted that the differences were immediately obvious. Bass was tighter and more controlled, the highs were smoother and more natural, and the overall signal was much less muddled. We'll do the same test later tonight, once the CDS2 has been running for a couple of hours.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Should 8 be be CDS2 etc or do you have a hybrid?

How about:-

CDX/XPS both on Mana

CDX on Mana / XPS off Mana

CDX off Mana / XPS on Mana

CDS2 off Mana / XPS on Mana

Also various combinations with CDX on/off switch in alternate positions, or is that getting silly?

Chris

when does the cdx have to go back??

enjoy!!!

ken

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

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seems to me you have already completed the crucial test, cdx on mana vs cdsii on "an ordinary" rack.

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Yes, this was the key test for me. If I discovered that the CDS2/XPS off Mana wasn't better by a CDX at only phase 4, I would have been chagrined. As it is, it wasn't even close. The rest of the tests are for curiosities sake.

>> assuming you are now happy with the positioning of your speakers, i wouldn't try to complete all these tests tonite <<

I haven't had a chance to play with the speakers positions. That will happen incrementally over the next couple of weeks. The CD player wars will continue over the next few days. The CDX is looking for a buyer now, so I have it "indefinitely" until that happens. I will be selling it, though since I don't really need it.

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i would simply enjoy the first few hours of cdsii in your home with your dear wife, who seems to be much more involved in your hifi stuff than mine, who would simply ask "you said how much!!!!"

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My wife says the same thing, but she also gets her own perks, so she's willing to allow me my vice. Unfortunately I can't spend the time listening to the system, since I have work to do write now. (It's one of those pesky clients, who financed my CDS2. )

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on WEDNESDAY 13 June 2001 at 23:22.]

I am, however, concerned that you are clearly trying to out-Vuk, Vuk with a meaningless comparitive table of audiophool drivel, which ultimately, will as inconclusive as his.

Firstly, Canada gave us the hair-stylists disaster - the mullett - and now it gives us, the unsuspecting public, the audiophools comparison table.

Dev

ps. The answer is easy CDS2 anywhere is better than another combination anywhere else.

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The answer is easy CDS2 anywhere is better than another combination anywhere else.

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Yes that is the key issue, and I've already learned the answer to that one. That doesn't stop me from wondering how the others compare. I may get tired switching gear around, so some steps will probably get skipped. We'll see.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Try the CDX/XPS on Mana against the CDS2 with your 82/super. Ignore your first impressions and sit and listen to each for an extended period of time. Listen to the music not the sound. When I did this for 2 weeks I came to the conclusion they were in many ways just different. The CDS2 better but with something missing. Try some hard rocking music with pace and you will understand. Try the remastered Lazy by Deep Purple.

Wait until you drop in your 52. Then you will be blown away! What is lacking with the 82/Super is resolved with the 52.

John

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Ignore your first impressions and sit and listen to each for an extended period of time. Listen to the music not the sound.

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I've gotten past this fixation on sonic artifacts, and I generally listen for the "music". That includes the phrasing, flow, groove, boogie, lyricism, etc., and most of all, whether the music speaks to me and whether it's enjoyable. I can still obvserve whether there's more or less bass, etc., but these things aren't too important to me. Of course, things like bass control can have a lot to do with the groove factor in the music. If the bass player is sloppy, then the groove isn't as good as when it's tight and precise. Therefore, it's impossible to entirely divorce the "sound" from the "music".

I must admit that Mana pushes gear closer to creating "music" instead of "sound", so I'm sure that the CDX/XPS on Mana is quite lovely. However, I really appreciate the CDS2's ability to disappear, and leave only music in its wake.

During the preparation and eating of dinner, we were playing the latest U2 album. I'm not generally a fan (and still am not), and I've noticed that this album is very distorted and rather poorly recorded. I knew this before, but I was hoping that the CDS2 could make it more palatable, since my wife insists on listening to U2 (it's one of her favorite bands). I would happily ban this band from the face of the earth, and I'm sad that even the great and glorious CDS2 doesn't make their stuff "desirable". In fact, I prefer Cher by a long shot over U2, and you can stuff that in your pipe and smoke it.

It's too bad that the CDS2 can't make all music fun. Oh well...

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on THURSDAY 14 June 2001 at 01:09.]

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fact, I prefer Cher by a long shot over U2

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This is conclusive proof, if any was needed, that you have absolutely no taste.

I formally request that Paul Stephenson deletes you.

You also do not mention how you are going to remove the the greatest variable - the state of the audio monitoring device ie you.

There is also the variability of the state of the new equipment - perhaps you should not attempt these comparative tests until at least 3 months has past so that the new kit has had a chance to "settle" down.

I feel more comfortable now that I have removed tongue from cheek <g>

DRW

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This is conclusive proof, if any was needed, that you have absolutely no taste.

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The two things that I really hate about U2 is Bono's whining voice (I despise all whiners), and that bloody jangling guitar riff. Whenever their music doesn't include these two elements, I can enjoy it to some extent. Unfortunately, those less-annoying moments are brief, so I'm usually in full cringe mode.

BTW, I don't like Cher much either. I just happen to dislike her less than U2. Neither do much for me with repeated listenings.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

As to my own mood: if I'm feeling sh*tty, then I'm probably not interested in comparing kit.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

You are winding yourself up here. You have what must be one of the best systems on the planet, you like the mana sound, so why not stick it all together, relax and enjoy the music. You can analyse far too much for your own good and this is one such occassion.

Regards

Mick

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You can analyse far too much for your own good and this is one such occassion.

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I'm driven to understand and categorize the world. Maybe its because I'm a Virgo (into analysis and details), or maybe I'm just weird. I just like to "know" things. If someone asks as question (any question), then I would like to know the answer (whether I share it with them or not). I realize this is impossible, but I still want it.

I've seen so many questions on this forum asking about the difference between this and that, with and without Mana, with and without PS, with and without a dedicated spur, etc. I would like to know how these various elements impact the overall sound. If someone asks, "What's the best way to improve my system?", then I would like to have a useful answer.

Yet my desire for knowledge is sometimes overridden by the phrase "it's not really important". What is important is that the CDS2 is king against all comers, so I'm strongly tempted to stop all of these silly comparisons, and simply to enjoy it. In fact, I think I may do just that.

Unfortunately, I'm still stuck with my issue of optimal speaker/listener positioning. That will have to be solved over the coming days/weeks.

At each stage of my system beginning with CDX/82/2*Hi/250, I've wondered how it could possibly sound better. With the addition of the Super-Cap, Mana and CDS2, I've been astonished at the relative improvements. I'm still wondering how it could sound better, and the 52 hasn't arrived yet.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

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I want to do some comparisons:
1. CDX on Mana
2. CDS2/XPS off Mana
3. CDX off Mana
4. CDX/XPS off Mana
5. CDS2/XPS off Mana
6. CDX off Mana
7. CDS2 on Mana, XPS off Mana
8. CDS2 on Mana, XPS on Mana Am I missing anything?

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Mike

I love you like the brother I never had who we would have had to lock in the attic, but your marbles have gone missing big time here.

So when you find that CDX on the floor is better than anything else, can I have your Cds2?

cheers

Nigel

You have said it yourself, with your current room layout, the big question is not going to be answered by any of the aforementioned analysis but what sort or speakers you have and where you place them once you have decided on the seating arrangements.

So stick your best boxes on layers of Mana (hope I am not sounding like Pig)and then devote your mind to something which will bear fruit, ie the speakers.

Then unplug your computer, start listening to some music and learn to relax.

Regards

Mick

As you have two CD players in residence right now, I have drawn up a list of further comparisions you could do for completeness.

1.CDX on Mana with CDS2 plugged into the same circuit

2.CDS2 into 82 input 2 vs 82 input 3

3.CDS2 warmed up 24hrs vs CDX warmed up 2 days

4.CDX/XPS vs CDS2/XPS with low pressure in the atmosphere

5.CDS/XPS on Mana Phase 2 vs CDX Mana Phase 7 with windows open

6.CDX Mana P7 vs CDS2/XPS Mana P4 at 6pm (local time) vs 3am to determine the effect of lower ambient electricity usage

7.CDX Mana P7 vs CDS2/XPS Mana P4 at 6pm with CDS2 in buffered preamp input 6 vs straight through input 3

8.As above but at 3am to determine the effect of lower ambient electricity usage

9.CDX on Mana with CDS2 plugged into the same circuit but with your pants down so the refractive effects of your bottom act as a bass trap

10.CDX on Mana with CDS2 plugged into the same circuit but with that really bad brown jacket on so the refractive effects of the coat act as a diffuser

11.CDS2 on Mana, XPS off Mana vs CDX with Vuk in the room (naked)

12.CDX on Mana

13.CDS2/XPS off Mana

14.CDX off Mana

15.CDX/XPS off Mana

16.CDS2/XPS off Mana

17.CDX off Mana

18.CDS2 on Mana, XPS off Mana

19.CDS2 on Mana, XPS on Mana

Hope this helps.

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I formally request that Paul Stephenson deletes you.

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Dev

I'd understood your acceptance into that mafia-triad organistion was confirmed, but am truely surprised to see you hand out a contract in such a clear manner. And to expose your bag man, too!

And as for you, Mr Hanson (detetia extremis) Jangling Guitar? ... hope for you lies within the added resolution of your system - you might begin to appreciate the complexities of all the different tube rigs and boxes between Edge's giutars and that classic of all classic guitar amps, the Vox AC30. If not, you deserve Cher.

Bono whining? Are you confusing him with Bruce Cockburn? I'm sure there's something in the water there - and I know Mike will join me with sagely inclined head in knowledge that it is not fine malt whiskey.

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

in the interests of anglo-scottish understanding I have re-read your post. i think what you are trying to say is:

'fatso hanson has got such bad taste in everything, and is such a boring ****er, I am surprised he hasn’t been deleted yet

Bono whines, pines, wails, etc., and that tone of voice really pisses me off. In comparison, Bruce Cockburn's singing is rich, soothing and supple.

And U2's latest album is messy, dirty and distorted. So there!

Dev, as far as taste goes, I've tried some of your favorite, Danny Teneglia, and I was bored into submission. However, I suspect it's the entire genre that's the problem, and not Danny's particular take on it. It's the boring rhythms that kill me, which is another complaint I have with U2. All of their rhythms are insipid and simplistic. I don't know why they even need a drummer, as any old metronome would do just fine. It reminds me of that other fellow, Bob Seger, and his "Just like that old time Rock'n'Roll" agony.

As Dennis Miller said, that kind of music is simple enough for ameobas to dance to, tapping their cute little pseudopods to the beat of life. Well I'm sorry, but I'm a little beyond that inane approach to music.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on THURSDAY 14 June 2001 at 15:42.]