Musical fidelity X Ray (original)

[Ned664]

Any one got/ using one of these? I have the X A1 amp and think it is great, just wondered whether the matching X ray CD player performs as well?

[DSJR]

At the time, it was one of the very best players under a grand. Use a good interconnect with it (Mark Grant 1500 or RFC equivalent for example) and presented a firm foundation, if not the widest or deepest, for the music. In other words, it covered its sonic tracks very well and just sounded slightly 'smaller' than the very best then available.

Does this help?

[Ned664]

Thanks Dave, yes very helpful. My issue (only a slight dissatisfaction to be honest) with my current CD set up is that it does not provide the same scale of sound stage and so engagement as my vinyl set up does. Although I love the look of the X Ray, which prompted my inquiry - well that and one being for sake on ebay, it sounds as though it will not help with my current issue.

Cheers

[DSJR]

This is a difficult one for me to answer in a short time and without it being a visual face-to-face discussion, typed words can be mis-construed....

Vinyl does have certain sonic 'qualities' which can enhance some mastered music very well, but the shortcomings of the medium are catalogued all over the internet and in publications. CD, on the other hand, 'should' give you exactly what's there in the recorded master with no embelishment and many domestic listeners just don't like it, since the reproduction in broad strokes lacks the 'flavour' that vinyl naturally adds to the recording. I'm trying very hard to be neutral here, as recent years have seen me enjoying my records again very much, and not on as advanced a turntable as yours too, but returning to CD's usually wakes me up with a start at the increased dynamic range on offer, accepting that a better turntable (NAS is my preferred maker presently) would close the gap as my NAS Mentor did so very well twenty years ago (shame I sold it, but finances were critical then).

I do remember the X-A1 being a bit hard toned when pushed and I'm wondering if a more powerful amp with less obvious 'grain' on transients might not offer what you want and make your vinyl even better in the process. 'Digital' does offer far more dynamics on cymbal crashes and sibilants in general (which are often de-essed when mastering to vinyl) and some domestic amps ring or clip badly when pushed too hard at these frequencies.

I'm going to suggest something that hopefully won't cause you to lose shedloads of dosh. Try a Quad 405-2 or preferably a 606 with something like a Tisbury passive preamp. The Tisbury is cheap and solid state Quad amps are usually very happy being fed this way and hold their value too if you wish to move them on. Just watch absolute phase as the 405 and earlier power amps of theirs invert absolute phase IIRC.

Lastly, and you won't want me to say this, but here goes - your Monitor Audio speakers..... Most metal cone bass-mid drivers take off badly at their resonance point, right in the mid treble usually and a simple crossover doesn't entirely get rid of it. The smear that inevitably occurs makes many of these speakers sound edgy and ill defined at trable frequencies. Add a more demanding source with occasional treble dynamics and bingo - you wince.. The only way to see if my assumptions are correct is to listen to some different speakers with these thoughts in mind. At a higher price, try some Spendors at around £1500. If you like these, the earlier S and Se floorstanders (S6 and S8 series) can be got for well under a grand usually in very good condition and if you had a blow-up they should still be easily fixable, unlike the old classic series models I and Alex_UK own for example. Some of the KEF Reference models from the late 90's are coming in under a grand now (including the even earlier 104/2) and these have a sweet tone and can rock-it with the best of them as well.

Does the stuff above help at all? not a direct answer, but get the CD side right and all of a sudden you find that even cheapo players have loads to offer and vinyl sounds better than ever! :)

[Ned664]

Hi Dave, some very thought provoking stuff! I don't generally push the MF amp much but I will give your amp suggestions much thought. Unfortunately finances will not allow a significant investment in new speakers and generally am happy with them but that may be due to an absence of exposure to more expensive stuff! Thank you for your thoughts!

[DSJR]

I could be very cheeky and suggest you buy some earlier Wharfedale Diamonds for a giggle - the £10 Diamond 7.2's I asked Alex to get for me - and which he's now loving in his second system - are sounding amazing and with no hash or fudging of the musical details. Just saying like :)

The thing to do is to listen to a few systems, either at enthusiast shows/meets or at sympathetic dealers who may give you some time to investigate some alternatives. Good luck and hope you get sorted eventually :)

[bigmarty]

Thanks Dave, yes very helpful. My issue (only a slight dissatisfaction to be honest) with my current CD set up is that it does not provide the same scale of sound stage and so engagement as my vinyl set up does. Although I love the look of the X Ray, which prompted my inquiry - well that and one being for sake on ebay, it sounds as though it will not help with my current issue.

Cheers

Hi Nick,

I still use MF X ray (which I bought in 1999) for my CD playback, I had this partnered originally with the XP100 and the XAS100 pre and still rate this as a good CD player.

Marty :D

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb9/martinattullymet/HIFI/new%20system/file-17.jpg (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/martinattullymet/media/HIFI/new%20system/file-17.jpg.html)

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb9/martinattullymet/HIFI/new%20system/file-2.jpg (http://s208.photobucket.com/user/martinattullymet/media/HIFI/new%20system/file-2.jpg.html)

[Ned664]

Hi Marty, that's helpful, I see you have a beresford bushmaster do you use the x ray as transport and then through the beresford DAC?

[bigmarty]

Hi Marty, that's helpful, I see you have a beresford bushmaster do you use the x ray as transport and then through the beresford DAC?

That's right, and sounds great too :)

[Ned664]

Thanks Marty,

Does the Bushmaster make a significant difference? I have been thinking of getting one of these.

Cheers

[StanleyB]

Thanks Marty,

Does the Bushmaster make a significant difference? I have been thinking of getting one of these.
As long as you keep in mind that the BM is analogue neutral sounding rather than warm ( the Rega is a good example of a warm DAC). So if you are more into the neutral camp then the BM would be a significant improvement over many DACs costing a lot more. I have a long list of feedback comparisons from existing owners of the BM MK1 to draw from. The MK2 is an audible step upwards from the Mk1, and my money back guarantee if not totally satisfied is an important consideration that buyers take into account.

[Ned664]

Hi Stan,

So when is the MK II going to be available?

[StanleyB]

From next week for those on the waiting list.

[wee tee cee]

Any pics Stan.....