Top CD player wanted

[robpark9]

I still have my Opus 21 which I use with a DNM DIN cable with the fancy HFTN thingies. Lovely sound.

Denis Morecroft (DNM) told me that you can tweak the Opus further by adjusting the digital volume control on the Opus down from 100 max setting to exactly 1. At the time he explained the logic - bypassing something or other. It obviously doesn't affect the actual volume if you are using the DIN as it has a fixed output. I am not sure that I understood the rationale but I just took his advice. Similarly I didn't worry about before and after tests (life is too short and in any case I simply believed him as he designed/worked on the electronics for the Opus player, as I recall, and was using one for his own personal use).

Might appear odd but doesn't hurt to try!

I've just put my moon cd5.3rs up on gumtree if helps

[greygoose]

I still have my Opus 21 which I use with a DNM DIN cable with the fancy HFTN thingies. Lovely sound.

Denis Morecroft (DNM) told me that you can tweak the Opus further by adjusting the digital volume control on the Opus down from 100 max setting to exactly 1. At the time he explained the logic - bypassing something or other. It obviously doesn't affect the actual volume if you are using the DIN as it has a fixed output. I am not sure that I understood the rationale but I just took his advice. Similarly I didn't worry about before and after tests (life is too short and in any case I simply believed him as he designed/worked on the electronics for the Opus player, as I recall, and was using one for his own personal use).

Might appear odd but doesn't hurt to try!

I did try, there was more of everything, soundstage, depth and even extended bass on some tracks, excellent tweak seriously that I had never read about, thanks for the tip, conventional wisdom has always been to turn up the digital volume to the max and leave the volume control to the PRE, pity they didnt include that into the instructions!

[RichardA]

Glad it worked.

I did try, there was more of everything, soundstage, depth and even extended bass on some tracks, excellent tweak seriously that I had never read about, thanks for the tip, conventional wisdom has always been to turn up the digital volume to the max and leave the volume control to the PRE, pity they didnt include that into the instructions!

[farflungstar]

The Opus has arrived. I only have 2 CDs (a Casandra Wilson job and a Stereophonics which were in the house when I moved in - others are on order). I'm a little underwhelmed but assume there are vagaries with CD's just as with vinyl. The Stereophonics sounds congested, the Wilson veiled and lo-fi. It certainly isn't on the same level as my vinyl. I'm not using the fixed output yet as I need to order the cable - but maybe I'm just expecting too much from digital....

[struth]

Shouldn't sound like that tbh. Mine is very open with big soundstage

[Macca]

I'd use the fixed output before making a conclusion. Depending on how it is set up that could make a noticeable difference. Digital will never sound like vinyl and if you've been solely vinyl for a long time it will take some adjustment. But it shouldn't sound rubbish in any way. If it does, something is wrong somewhere, don't make the mistake of blaming the format!

[Lawrence001]

I don't know those artists but I have a lot of CDs that sound like that. I've also never had a Cd player where the variable output sounds as good as the fixed. (My new sabre dac with bit perfect volume may now be there.) I think one review said it was not up to the same standard. Your ears may have got used to the sound of your system now which you have optimised around your source and you can't just chuck a new source in and expect it to sound as good. I would give it a few weeks with some good albums before judging. Lastly, what cables are you using?

[farflungstar]

I don't know those artists but I have a lot of CDs that sound like that. I've also never had a Cd player where the variable output sounds as good as the fixed. (My new sabre dac with bit perfect volume may now be there.) I think one review said it was not up to the same standard. Your ears may have got used to the sound of your system now which you have optimised around your source and you can't just chuck a new source in and expect it to sound as good. I would give it a few weeks with some good albums before judging. Lastly, what cables are you using?

I know I can't just put it in and expect it to outperform or be as good as my vinyl system - it's an incredible rig, to my ears and the whole system breathes as one. And I'm aware that if I judged it only on a badly pressed, produced album I'd be ignoring all those albums that sound magic. Ditto a new source. There are a few things I can and would do anyway to get the best out of it, which I haven't done yet (fixed out, new power cable) and a selection of albums for comparison. I can't make a conclusion until then - but my thoughts on listening were that my last players (TOTL) back in the 90's were superior. Further listening is required.

I'm using Cardas Golden Neutral reference at the minute.

[farflungstar]

Having slept on it I realised two things, first I have a few CDs in my box set vinyls for comparisons. Second I feel like the problem might be the Truth linestage so I will try the Opus direct into the
Ref75. A day of experiments.

[Lawrence001]

I wouldn't use variable out into a pre that's always a recipe for flat soundstage and lack of resolution I've found.