Separeted at Birth: Kavent Tube CDP & Bel Canto DAC2

I-SIG

Last night I set out to do this super comparison of the Kavent CD-731 and the Bel Canto DAC2. I left the amps on all Friday night and all day Saturday, I put the CDP on repeat to keep it and the DAC warm, turned off all the CFL's and refrigeration units, burned a demo CD on the Memorex CDR's that are so good at cleaning up the mass-produced CD's. I calibrated each input with the SPL meter so that they were at the same level and loud enough to cover the click of the pre-amp changing sources. I de-energized all unnecessary audio & video equipment. I did everything I could think of to keep it about the CDP and the DAC.

What did I learn from all this? It's easy to get frustrated when there's no audible difference in equipment. Prior to the Kavent my CDP and DVDP were run exclusively thru the DAC. So, for several weeks or more all I used was the Kavent to get a feel for its sound and I certainly liked what I heard.

Last night, though when switching between the 2, there was literally ZERO difference. I'm not sure what to say about their sound since there isn't a difference to write about. There's already plenty of literature about both. (The Kavent info may be in the form of ShengYa or Vincent reviews)

In the end, both are great pieces of gear. You should check them both out.

Wes

steveinaz

Interesting, but I'm not surprised. It gets really tough when you hit a certain point to tell the difference in equipment. The other night I was switching between my new blu ray player run via toslink thru my Benchmark against it's standard 2-channel analog output into the pre---I struggled. I think there may have been the slightest bit cleaner treble and deeper soundstage with the benchmark--but it was very subtle.

I-SIG

steveinaz wrote: »

Interesting, but I'm not surprised. It gets really tough when you hit a certain point to tell the difference in equipment. The other night I was switching between my new blu ray player run via toslink thru my Benchmark against it's standard 2-channel analog output into the pre---I struggled. I think there may have been the slightest bit cleaner treble and deeper soundstage with the benchmark--but it was very subtle.

I hear ya. I expected to hear something since the CDP has a couple of tubes in there. For all the tube-lovers around this place that ought to tell you something about the DAC.

Wes

halo

I owned both the Kavent CD-731 & the Sheng Ya CD-S10. Same players w/ different faceplates. Chi-fi knock off's of Vincent (so I've gathered).

Both are fantastic players. I had to spend a great deal more to gain audible differences from them.

The bad thing is, aside from Kavent, there is no stateside support for the equipment.

halo

I-SIG wrote: »

I hear ya. I expected to hear something since the CDP has a couple of tubes in there. For all the tube-lovers around this place that ought to tell you something about the DAC.

Wes

In the Kavent (1) tube (6922) handles the output. The 12AU7 is for the power supply.

BSUfbfan

Hey guys - a buddy of mine wants to buy a Sheng-Ya tube CD player, but it is set up for 230 volt.... what does it take to convert it over to 120? Is it a simple power cord upgrade?

Thanks!!

treitz3

BSUfbfan wrote: »

Hey guys - a buddy of mine wants to buy a Sheng-Ya tube CD player, but it is set up for 230 volt.... what does it take to convert it over to 120? Is it a simple power cord upgrade?

Thanks!!

Um, no.

BSUfbfan

treitz3 wrote: »

Um, no.

Well I know that one of the polksters 'Halo' mentioned a "kit" to change his Sheng Ya over to 120volt.... My home theater preamp has a 120/240 switch and came with (2) power cords... its not like you have to replace the power supply... jeez!

Gadabout

The easiest way to convert from 240 to 120 is with an outboard transformer.

http://www.alldual.com/trans/VolTRANS/StepupDown.htm.

The other option would be to talk to a local stereo repair shop and see if he can do the change in the box for you.

Scott

Early B.

The other option is not to buy the 230 volt CDP at all. It may not be worth the hassle. An outboard transformer could affect the sound.

Also, keep in mind that some products made overseas are not exactly the same as the ones offered for the US market, even though they carry the same name. Sometimes some of the internal components are different (i.e., cheaper) on the respective Asian products. Buyer beware.

BSUfbfan

Thanks guys, I'll give him the options. I think he should look for the Kavent which is the same player with the US modifications.