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CD & SACD Players
Arcam [back
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FMJ CD33
The FMJ CD33 player is the second CD player
design to grace the exclusive FMJ range. It follows nearly
four years on from the launch of its predecessor the CD23.
The CD23 has established a reputation for superior performance
from critical listeners around the world. We always knew the
CD23 would be a hard act to follow, but the challenge was
one that our talented design team met with commitment and
enthusiasm. The results show that we have achieved a new benchmark
in CD replay. Representing the pinnacle of CD reproduction
at a real world price, the CD33's sound quality outperforms
players many times more expensive in terms of sound quality.
The CD33 incorporates the latest thinking in
state of the art analogue and digital audio design. Key performance
areas include upsampling the 44.1kHz digital data stream to
192kHz which allows us to use a very high frequency analogue
output filter for improved phase and frequency response.
The DAC circuit board uses a total of four 2-channel
Wolfson 8740 DACs. These multi-bit sigma delta devices are
in our opinion one of the best performing DAC chips available
today. Using several in parallel further reduces noise, distortion
and improves linearity.
The DC coupled output stage comes with sophisticated
servo control for optimum control of low frequency output.
The precision required to reproduce music to
a level that is truly astonishing is hard to comprehend. The
attention to detail required in the design and development
of the CD33 is reflected by the ultra high level of performance
that this player delivers. The definition in the sound stage
produced from the best CDs is proof that our obsession with
design accuracy measured in parts per million is justified.
The goal of the FMJ team was to improve on this
already superb player. To achieve this the CD33 has a new
four-layer circuit board and a totally new power supply configuration.
We have added a high quality toroidal transformer to supply
the sensitive audio circuitry in the upsampling multi DAC
board. The improvement in definition in the lowest frequency
range is palpable. Further improvements centre on the use
of a new material for the player's chassis that is made using
a special vibration damping laminated construction. Although
it is four times more expensive than our standard chassis,
it is worth every penny!
The extra rigidity provided by the precision-machined
8mm thick aluminium alloy front panel also contributes to
a performance that is so assured you will find new life in
even your oldest CDs.
The long years of painstaking development
will only take you a few minutes to appreciate. A demonstration
from one of Arcam's appointed specialists will confirm the
FMJ CD33 as a modern classic that will bring added enjoyment
from all your CDs for many years to come.
DV27A
Getting the best out of audio is a natural area for Arcam,
and the new DV27A embraces the DVD Audio technology, taking
its performance levels to new heights. The DV27A makes the
grade as a fine CD player in its own right, but now it also
offers DVD Audio playback. This high resolution standard offers
a stunning sound quality improvement over CD and already has
around 550 titles in the catalogue. The new format has the
support of four out of the five leading record companies and
has already captured the imagination of music fans who have
heard it demonstrated in both two and five channel modes.
Click here for more information on DVD Audio. The DV27A also
features on board decoding of Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
soundtracks. This can used with the multi-channel volume control
board as part of a system built around the FMJ A32 integrated
amplifier with matching three-channel power amplifier or with
the C30 preamplifier and multi-channel amplifier set up.
The DV27A features the latest 24bit/192kHz DACs
from Wolfson Electronics, precision clock circuits and super
clean power supplies to deliver stunning sound quality on
CDs. It was important to push the video quality at the same
time, and it is here where we have made the biggest breakthrough.
The DV27A features a motion adaptive progressive scan system
developed by Silicon Image. This sophisticated technology
has been developed to enhance the video performance from a
standard DVD, when used with a suitable display device. The
result is a picture that gets remarkably close to film in
its richness and stability. The majority of plasma screens
and video projectors can accept a progressive scan input,
in addition to an increasing number of high specification
TVs. The bigger the picture, the more benefit you will see
from the progressive scan process.
The DV27A continues Arcam's innovative technological
stance of being able to process the 625/50Hz video signals
used in Europe, as well as the 525/60 signals used in North
America. The computing power inside the Silicon Image video
processor is in many ways the equivalent of a high specification
Pentium processor and is considered by the experts in this
field to be the state of the art solution. The quality of
the result is truly impressive with images so real they help
draw you into the movie.
The DV27A's AV and DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
sections feature four layer printed circuit boards which enable
optimum ground paths, that in turn give ultra low noise performance
on both audio and video.
The chassis is made from a laminated, anti-vibration
material called Sontech. (This material is used extensively
in high-performance cars, where the benefits of vibration
dampening lead to a quieter, smoother ride.) The sophisticated
power supply is supplemented by an additional toroidal power
transformer which supplies the audio output circuitry. This
combination further refines the sound quality, and sets a
new benchmark for CD replay from a DVD player.
In addition to CD audio, the DV27A will replay
CDR, CDRW, DVD, DVDA, DVDR, DVDRW, VCD, SVCD, HDCD as well
as many WMA or MP3 encoded discs.The DV27A supports all major
video connection standards, with component (YUV), RGB, S-VHS
and composite video outputs. Broadcast quality parts are used
in the key video stages and although expensive, the enthusiastic
feedback from some of the most critical users around on picture
quality confirms it is money well spent - to quote from a
recent review from Home Cinema Choice "This is simply
the best player that Arcam knows how to make with today's
technology...Sonically and visually, the DV27A lives up to
all the hype in some style."
The DV27A can be reprogrammed by playing a CDR
of the system software and loading the new program into the
player's flash memory. This gives us an easy way to ensure
that any DVD disc playability issues that come to light in
the future can be addressed with the minimum of disruption.The
DV27A comes with a full function remote control that can also
adjust the volume level on our FMJ home cinema amplifiers.
The DV27A is available in silver or black.
Diva
CD93
This latest high performance CD player is built around Arcam's
new state of the art upsampling multi-DAC module. Arcam has
a long and distinguished history of getting the best out of
CD replay and the CD93 represents a significant advance in
sound quality, making it one of the finest CD players on the
market today. The player excels at bringing out low-level
detail from the music and has a wonderfully deep and stable
soundstage.The DAC module is designed using the best audiophile
grade components, including an Analog Devices sample rate
converter, four top of the range Wolfson DACs and a four-layer
fibreglass printed circuit board (PCB). Considerable use is
made of modern surface mounted components, while the extra
PCB layers ensure the best possible layout and allow grounding
to be optimised.
In order to extract all of the fine detail
and depth of sound absent from many other high-end designs,
the CD93 uses sophisticated design techniques to ensure that
factors such as clock accuracy and jitter, power supplies, digital
filters and audio output stages are all optimised. In addition,
the strong steel chassis incorporates "Acousteel"
sound damping material for better control of low-level vibrations
that can blur the sound.
Used in conjunction with a top quality amplifier,
such as Arcam's award-winning A85, the CD93 can deliver a
stunning musical performance to satisfy the most demanding
listeners.
Diva CD82
This new mid-range CD player has been built to provide the
ideal half-way point between the CD72 and CD92 in the DiVA
range.
The CD82 is a supremely capable CD player. It
incorporates state-of-the-art audiophile design techniques
commonly found on players costing thousands of pounds. Early
reaction from people who have heard the CD82 confirms our
view that this product is destined to be a true classic and
reinforces Arcam's position as Britain's leading CD manufacturer.
The CD82 uses two 24-bit 192kHz capable Wolfson
DACs in a dual-mode configuration, with one DAC chip used for
the left channel and one DAC chip used for the right channel.
The player uses high quality Burr Brown op-amps
in the output stage and the DAC module includes a high-stability
Class 1 crystal oscillator.
Diva CD73
The new CD73 is Arcam's most affordable CD player and the
successor to the world famous CD72, an acknowledged design
classic with many tens of thousands in everyday use. Put simply,
the CD73 is a wonderful sounding CD player with a performance
broadly equal to players that might cost twice as much from
other brands. The CD73 includes the latest generation 24-bit
DAC from Wolfson MicroElectronics, plus a double-sided, through-hole
plated motherboard and a low noise toroidal power transformer.
It also incorporates Arcam's latest thinking in grounding
and power supplies. Together these provide the player with
a sound that will captivate all who listen.
Arcam CD players have always offered a
well balanced and detailed sound, and the CD73 represents
a another significant step forward at this price level. The
quality of the sound is complemented by the superb build quality.
Furthermore, if you decide to improve your system, by simply
adding the appropriate Arcam DAC module, the CD73 is readily
upgradeable in the future to CD82 or CD93 performance.
Creek[back
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CD53
The CD53 physically matches
the 5350 amplifier with 10mm thick machined alloy silver front
panel and vacuum fluorescent function display. It's circuitry
has been designed to achieve the best performance money can
buy, limited only by the standards set for CD players and
component availability.
Inside its 2 mm thick alloy case, lies a Philips
CDM12 transport with CD7 chipset running on neoprene sound
isolation washers.
Custom Creek software runs in a microcontroller
to control the entire mechanism and display functions. Speed
and silence of operation, together with the ability to read
CDR and CDRW discs are the essence of this new player. Advanced
error correction algorithms work hard to read every bit of
information, thus providing a better signal for the Digital
to Analogue Converter to work with.
The rugged Philips laser transport and digital
control circuitry has been matched to the highest quality
Crystal Semi-conductor delta-sigma D to A converter boasting
24 bit 192kHz resolution capability. Analogue filtering is
now performed using fully balanced circuitry and 0.1% precision
resistors and 1% tolerance film capacitors that achieves a
level of performance previously not seen in CD players. This
results in a fast operating CD player with sound quality well
ahead of much higher priced players, in the true Creek mould.
With a new customised ultra low jitter master
clock and extra circuitry to reduce jitter from the Digital
signal Processor, the CD53 truly sings. A re-clocked, low
jitter, transformer coupled, co-axial and optical digital
output makes it possible to fully realise the potential of
high-end stand alone DAC, provided the correct type of interconnect
is used.
To provide a useful upgrade path, the D to A
converter, high quality master clock generator, jitter reduction
circuitry and regulated power supplies are sited on a separate
printed circuit board that can be removed and replaced by
new or emerging technologies in the future.
Two high grade grain-oriented steel mains transformers,
feeding low impedance, high temperature, capacitors and separate
stabilised power supplies for digital and analogue sections,
provides the highest degree of isolation and lowest noise
performance possible. Front panel controls include Play, Stop,
Pause, Open/Close, Skip Forward, Skip Back, Search Forward,
Search Back, Shuffle, Repeat and Standby functions. They are
supplemented by a modest sized full feature RC5 type remote
control handset.
The rear panel now has a mains switch, together
with the usual fused IEC mains inlet. Gold plated Phono/RCA's
for the (un-balanced) analogue output are complimented by
two professional 3 pin XLR sockets for balanced audio output.
Digital outputs are via a transformer coupled co-axial SPDIF
Phono/RCA and TORX optical types.
A new feature for Creek equipment is the ability
to place the CD53 into Standby mode, which blanks the display,
reducing the power supply consumption to a minimum. Operating
any local or remote key will wake it up.
To maintain low levels of interference, the
user interface is via a low current consumption vacuum florescent
green digital display. This places very little demand on the
power supply and helps to achieve high visibility even in
difficult light conditions.
CD50
Creek Audio is proud to announce
the birth of its latest CD player - the CD50.
With a 10mm thick, machined alloy, silver front
panel and vacuum fluorescent function display, the CD50 physically
matches both the 50 and 53 series Creek products. The circuitry
has been designed to achieve the best performance money can
buy in its class, limited only by the standards set for CD
players and component ability.
Inside its steel case, lies a Philips CDM12
transport with CD7 chipset. Custom Creek software runs in
a micro-controller to operate the entire mechanism and display
functions. The player exhibits speed and silence of operation,
and with its ability to read CDR discs, the advantages of
this latest Creek CD player begin to emerge. In true Creek
mould the CD50 exhibits sound quality well ahead of much higher
priced players.
Advanced error correction algorithms work hard
to read every bit of information, thus providing a better
signal for its high resolution Digital to Analogue Converter
to work with. The rugged Philips laser transport and digital
control circuitry has been matched to the highest quality
Crystal Semiconductors CS4396 delta-sigma D to A converter
boasting 24 bit 192kHz resolution capability. Analogue filtering
is performed using a professional standard Burr-Brown OPA
2134 operational amplifier that achieves a level of performance
previously not seen in CD players of this price.
With a new customised ultra low jitter master clock, together
with extra circuitry to reduce jitter from the Digital Signal
Processor, the CD50 achieves excellent measured performance.
A re-clocked low jitter, transformer coupled, co-axial digital
output makes it possible to fully realise the potential of
a high-end stand-alone DAC, provided the correct type of interconnect
is used.
To provide a useful upgrade path, the
D to A converter, high quality master clock generator, jitter
reduction circuitry and regulated power supplies are sited
on a separate printed circuit board that can be removed and
replaced by new or emerging technologies in the future.
A single grain-oriented steel mains transformer,
feeding low impedance, high temperature capacitors, and separate
stabilised power supplies for digital and analogue sections,
provides the highest degree of isolation and lowest noise
performance possible. Front panel controls include Play, Stop,
Pause, Open/Close, Skip Forward, Skip Back, Search Forward,
Search Back, Shuffle, Repeat and Standby functions. They are
supplemented by an attractive full feature Creek SRC1 system
remote control handset utilising RC5 type codes.
The rear panel has a mains switch, together
with the usual fused IEC mains inlet. A pair of gold plated
Phono/RCA sockets is provided for un-balanced analogue output
and (SPDIF) digital outputs are via a transformer coupled
Phono/RCA socket.
Music Hall[back
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Maverick
Music hall is proud to debut its
first super audio compact disc player, the music hall maverick.
The maverick has been meticulously designed to play uncompromising
2-channel stereo from both super audio and traditional CDs.
Upsampling can be selected for standard CDs
via the built-in Crystal CS8420 24bit/96kHz chip. Weighing
in at 22lbs (10Kg), sporting a thick aluminum faceplate, and
standing atop vibration-canceling dimpled rubber feet, the
maverick is a true contender.
Inside 2 transformers provide separate power
to the analog and digital systems. The drive mechanism is
the Sony KHM 234AAA laser head and servo system. The SACD
decoder chip is the Sony CXD2752 and the standard DAC is a
24bit/192kHz Burr-Brown PCM 1738.
SACD is the most exciting audio format
since the LP. The maverick takes full advantage of the higher
sampling rate and sounds truly stunning. A full function remote
handset is standard.
CD 25
The Music Hall MMF-CD25 CD
player is a true high-end bargain. It features an HDCD chip,
a Philips CDM 12-10 transport controlled by a CD7 servo. The
D/A converter is a Burr-Brown 1732 24-bit/96kHz chip. The
output stage uses OPA 2134 op amps. An innovative power supply
makes the MMF-CD25 a wonderful sounding CD player.
The build quality is superb sporting a thick
brushed-aluminum front plate and a very solid chassis, which
aids in vibration control.
The CD25 has two digital outputs, one coaxial,
one optical and an analog out. It outperforms many other CD
players in its price class and quite a few above. Made in
China by a small family owned business, the MMF-CD25 proves
that with attention to detail, good design and dedication,
fine audio equipment can be made at a reasonable price.
Rega[back
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Jupiter
The Jupiter CD Player is housed
in the Rega custom built extruded aluminium case and includes
the strong heat sink base assembly to give added stability
to the mechanical parts. The Jupiter also has the new top
loading lid assembly. It uses the same basic circuit topology
as the original Jupiter and Io but with improvements in the
DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter), power supply and clocking
stages. The Jupiter CD player has additional sonic improvements,
to provide a higher level of performance over that of the
Planet .
Converter is based around two custom built IC40
DAC chips with separate DAC's for the left and right channels.
DC servo control has been used in the post DAC amplifier and
filter stages thereby keeping the capacitors in the signal
path to a minimum. The power supply is made up from 7 separate
power supplies feeding the mechanism, PLL, DAC digital and
analogue sections, micro controller, display, analogue amplifier
and filter. All the stages for the clock PLL and in the signal
path are double regulated. There are two physically separate
raw supplies for the noisy stages (motor drivers etc.) and
for the clean stages (DAC, Clock & DSP etc.). The Jupiter
has a generously rated toroidal transformer with separate
windings for the two raw power supplies. The signal for the
Mechanism is processed by a data regeneration stage, where
the Data, Bit Clock & Word Clock are realigned and then
fed to the Rega IC40 DACs for conversion. The Jupiter CD player
uses a high stability oscillator module for the main clock.
The Master clock feeding the CD Mechanism and DSP is derived
from a PLL clock stage for added stability. The Jupiter uses
a high performance CDM145BL-5BD25 kit with an improved display
and a better level of user functionality.
Planet
The Planet CD Player improves on the classic Planet in every
way with its stunning cosmetics and breathtaking performance.
The Planet is the definitive bargain in the audio industry.
Its sonics, reliability and innovative design have not been
seen or heard before.
The Planet is housed in the Rega custom built
extruded aluminium case with the new top loading lid assembly.
It uses the same circuit topology as the original Planet but
with improvements in the Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC),
power supply and coupling capacitors. The DAC is based around
the custom built IC40 DAC chip. The Planet uses the same RADS
conversion stage as the original Planet and has an extra power
supply for the digital section of the DAC. The Planet has
a toroidal transformer with separate windings for the display
and audio stages. It uses a high performance CDM145BL-5BD25
kit with an improved display and a better level of user functionality.
Shanling[back
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SCD-T200
Following up on the success of the CD-T100, Shanling has now
produced the SCD-T200, a high performance Super Audio CD Player
with the same amazing looks! Already receiving fantastic reviews
across the globe, this unit is perfect for the art-loving
audio enthusiast!
The unit comes complete with remote control
and demo a CD and can be used with either the standard audio
line output or utilise the valve line output for a sonic treat!
Another feature is the electronic volume control which enables
you to connect the SCD-T200 directly to a power amplifier
or active speakers, bypassing the need for a preamplifier.
CD-T100
Make a statement with this award winning valve HDCD CD Player.
Shanling has created quite a stir across the globe with their
unique style of CD Player, already famous in Europe and the
USA. The CD-T100 is a very capable unit with an "exposed"
CD mechanism and a valve output stage. Gone are the normal
"boxes" that other CD Players come in, now not only
experience the high fidelity sound but also finally have a
CD Player that looks fashionable. A warm glow emanates from
the four protected valves whilst a cool blue is visible around
the CD platter.
The unit comes complete with remote control
and demo a CD and can be used with either the standard audio
line output or utilise the valve line output for a sonic treat!
Another feature is the 100 step digital volume control which
enables you to connect the CD-T100 directly to a power amplifier
or active speakers, bypassing the need for a preamplifier.
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