Got my Original CD-A8T

organ
organ Posts: 4,969
edited May 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
Here she is....

Build quality is solid. The remote alone weigh about 2 pounds. Made of pure metal. High quality internal parts. The blue glow on the side panel is super sexy.

I installed a pair of JJ 12AU7 tubes to replace the stock Electro Harmonix tubes. I've already broken in the JJ with approx 150hrs on my ASL pre.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2006
    Cool.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2006
    Another pic...

    I will post initial impression later on today. Gonna listen for at least a few hours first. Review will follow in a few weeks time.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited May 2006
    Looking good maurice... Real cool
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited May 2006
    Very nice. Yep, good build quality. This baby's got a sweet TT.


    (Not titanic ****, you perverts -- a torroidal transformer.)
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited May 2006
    Congratulations! It looks very nice! I'm interested to hear your musical review. If you don't mind me asking, what does a unit like this cost? Not neccesarily what you paid, just MSRP or market price for new?
    Carl

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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited May 2006
    Looking forward to your review, organ. I am looking to buy my first up-scale CD player.
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited May 2006
    Wow, that looks great. I can't wait to hear you thoughts on its sound.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    edited May 2006
    Very,very nice! Also looking forward to a review.:)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2006
    Ok, guys. I listened to this unit all day and night. I left it on overnight as well to help speed up the break-in process.

    First impression.....

    I am stunned! This felt like a major upgrade for my source. I'm not talking about subtle differences, but pretty much night and day compared to my NAD. The NAD is very flat, thin and sterile sounding compared to the Original. One thing that the CD-A8T does extremely well is dynamics and bass. With my NAD, it felt like there was some sort of restriction as to how loud the music can go. You know the music is still building up and should get louder but it won't. With the Original, the dynamic range is unbelievable. The bass hits hard and goes deeper. I actually had to turn down my PSW650 a little. The sound is so effortless and robust. The mid-range is superior as well. It has a very lifelike quality to it. And as to be expected from tubes, the sound is airy with excellent placement in the soundscape. It's very neutral with a touch of warmth. So I wouldn't exactly say it's on the warm side of neutral. I haven't tried the solid state output yet.

    Things are looking very positive. I will post a review in a few weeks. I wonder if this unit still needs more time to break-in.

    btw, if anyone have recommendations for the creamiest, rich and warm sounding 12AU7, please let me know. I want to see how far I can push this cdp for that euphonic tube sound. I remember the Mullard U7 having these traits but I sold those tubes a few years back.

    Schwarcw,
    The price is the most attractive thing about this piece. Believe it or not, it retails for $500USD(just like my NAD)!!! I still can't believe one could get this kind of build and sound quality for that price. I can guarantee that if this was some exotic American or European company, the price would be A LOT higher. Build quality is on par with equipments I've seen ranging from $1500 to over $2000. The pics really doesn't do it justice.

    Original just got distributors in the US and Canada and it seems very limited. I found one US online store selling them and one Canadian.
    I won mine in an auction on ebay for $420. BIN price was $498.

    Maurice
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited May 2006
    Maurice, did you audition the original against a Jolida or an Ah! Tajoe. I'd be curious to hear your's or any Forum members impressions of the three. I'm leaning towards the Ah! for the upsampling feature. More money I know, but I was looking for feedback from folks who have done the audition.
    Carl

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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited May 2006
    Wow. Sounds like the Original really is a nice CDP. I can only imagine what it looks like in person, if the pics don't really begin to do it justice. Sounds like, if this can go head-to-head with the Jolida and Ah!, that this might soon become the tube CDP to own, considering the awesome price.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,643
    edited May 2006
    I thought you owned a backwards XBox for a minute.

    Cool.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2006
    Carl,
    Since you started a new thread about the different cdp's, check your tube cdp thread. I'll post my answer there.

    Bliss,
    I swear man. I'm hooked! I could listen all day with no fatique. The NAD has been taken off the throne. There's just no comparison. My NAD is actually considered an excellent player from the reviews I've read on the net. The realism is so intense. You can actually hear the snare drum resonating. And I can't get over the killer dynamics.

    Sid,
    No way man! The only thing my XBox is good for is "Dance Dance Revolution":D.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited May 2006
    Coolness!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,643
    edited May 2006
    You gotta admit - the resemblance is uncanny.

    Middle is black "glass/plastic" The side - right on yours - left on the box has 4 circles - the box has 4 controller ports

    Just looks similar to me - especially before you zoom in... lol

    But its an outstanding looking cdp - I wouldnt mind setting my ears on it! Enjoy!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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