Macca
15-11-2009, 12:45
Hi
Bored yesterday so I finally got round to tidying up my system. Once I'd done that I decided I would swap in my Sony XB930E cdp to see what it sounded like through the Croft pre. (I normally use a Cambridge 840c).
I've tried the Sony through my main system a couple of times before and it really does not like it - no treble, no upper bass and weird, distorted, detached low bass. It sounds fine through my Sony AV amp into JBL pro 1s though, so I know it is not faulty
Anyway I plugged it into the Croft and switched on expecting to hear the usual mish-mash - but no! It sounds excellent - so good in fact that I am wondering if I do not prefer it to the 840c...
In addition the gain issue with the Croft ( I think it was Greg on another thread complaining he could not get the volume off '1' with CD) is curtailed - I can now get volume past 3 o'clock without getting too loud.
Also, I'd forgotton what a pleasure the Sony is to use - how smoothly the transport glides out! The superbly precise soft-touch buttons! The Cambridge is like a chunk of agricultural machinery by comparison.
I had noticed that the Cambridge pushed out vocals a little too much (regardless of the production) so that with some material it was very much a case of listening to a singer with backing rather than a whole, intergrated performance - with the Sony the vocals are further back and 'quieter' - this may be why I am thinking I may prefer the Sony. I will have to do some more listening with the Sony then swap back to the Cambridge and listen again before I'm convinced I think.
Comments, anyone?
Bored yesterday so I finally got round to tidying up my system. Once I'd done that I decided I would swap in my Sony XB930E cdp to see what it sounded like through the Croft pre. (I normally use a Cambridge 840c).
I've tried the Sony through my main system a couple of times before and it really does not like it - no treble, no upper bass and weird, distorted, detached low bass. It sounds fine through my Sony AV amp into JBL pro 1s though, so I know it is not faulty
Anyway I plugged it into the Croft and switched on expecting to hear the usual mish-mash - but no! It sounds excellent - so good in fact that I am wondering if I do not prefer it to the 840c...
In addition the gain issue with the Croft ( I think it was Greg on another thread complaining he could not get the volume off '1' with CD) is curtailed - I can now get volume past 3 o'clock without getting too loud.
Also, I'd forgotton what a pleasure the Sony is to use - how smoothly the transport glides out! The superbly precise soft-touch buttons! The Cambridge is like a chunk of agricultural machinery by comparison.
I had noticed that the Cambridge pushed out vocals a little too much (regardless of the production) so that with some material it was very much a case of listening to a singer with backing rather than a whole, intergrated performance - with the Sony the vocals are further back and 'quieter' - this may be why I am thinking I may prefer the Sony. I will have to do some more listening with the Sony then swap back to the Cambridge and listen again before I'm convinced I think.
Comments, anyone?