Elliot G.
Industry Expert
Some Riviera gear, Divin Comtesse
Shunyata and Massif racks and Wadax is the plan
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Shunyata and Massif racks and Wadax is the plan
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
My dealer brought me a StudioPlayer to compare to the CH C1.2
While a $40,000 product can't be called "cheap" this is truly a remarkable product and an incredible bargain for what you get relative to other comparable DACs at this price point. Before even getting into the sonic details, what you get is remarkable. Same guts as the big super expensive Wadax, some of the best (if not the best) constructed gear I have ever seen (incredibly good connectors for plugs/cables, big aluminum chassis, etc.), no add on boards (like the CH C1.2 an others) as well as a CD/SACD player. While I haven't owned the "best" or "most expensive" of MSB, Wadax, etc. I have owned some very good units including the previously top of the line MSB Select.
This unit really is a bemouth. Packed perfectly in a hard travel case, no simple "industrial cardboard box" like my CH. It is heavy a 2-man job to get out of its case and onto the rack, at least at my age.
While the website talks about "streaming" with Tidal Connect, which I thought (other than the playing a CD/SACD) would be the only way I could listen until the unit became ROON capable, I am happy to say, JPlay worked without a hitch not just for all my files but Tidal and Qobuz as well. So, my big concern with not being Roon capable (as YET) really has no relevance as JPlay is an excellent (if not better) alternative.
First up was my old SACD Cat Stevens "Tea for the Tillerman". First listen I knew this was special. Detail, depth, transparency, imaging and bass control were beyond anything I have ever experienced. Before Elliot from Bending Wave brought me the unit, I did some extensive listening the night before, with some of Chris's selections from his playlist, a recent playlist released in a review of the DCS Varese as well as some of my old favorites. I had the area set up for comparison to do an A/B comparison after we had it all set up. With the unit still cold, literally just out of its travel case, during the first 20 seconds of SACD, I had a feeling the need for a comparison was NOT going to be necessary. To say I was stunned is an understatement. I didn't want to be hasty in jumping to any conclusions (although difficult not to) as this was "physical media" which I haven't listened to on the CH and questioning could that be why it was so good? We listened to most of the disc.
We decided to let it warm up, went to lunch and then started streaming after returning. Carefully listening to those tracks I listened the night before. One after enough I tried to remain stoic, just moving from one to another. After a couple of hours Elliot said, should we switch? To me the answer was very clear and with a loud shout as he was standing to make the switch I screamed NO, let's keep listening. There really was NO need to compare. There was no comparison. The subtleties of the music, the depth of image and bass, clarity and effortless manner of reproduction of what I have listened to so many times was transformational. My system is pretty much dialed in, my sound room is a dedicated one, that has been carefully (but not overtreated) treated with some great electronics.
Needless to say, the CH is leaving with Elliot, the StudiopPlayer is here until my unit, which I happily purchased arrives.
This is not a good or great product but a remarkable product in all aspects, especially relative to the CH C1.2 at the same price point.
I will post some pictures and some more about my experience. When Elliot was telling me how good this unit was relative to the big WADAX which he has in his listening room, I of course was skeptical, however, I have known Elliot for years and his recommendations, setup capabilities and service I never question so when he recommends something I listen.
This is something special.
This is the post my client made on Computer Audiophile site and gave me permission to copy and past it here
While a $40,000 product can't be called "cheap" this is truly a remarkable product and an incredible bargain for what you get relative to other comparable DACs at this price point. Before even getting into the sonic details, what you get is remarkable. Same guts as the big super expensive Wadax, some of the best (if not the best) constructed gear I have ever seen (incredibly good connectors for plugs/cables, big aluminum chassis, etc.), no add on boards (like the CH C1.2 an others) as well as a CD/SACD player. While I haven't owned the "best" or "most expensive" of MSB, Wadax, etc. I have owned some very good units including the previously top of the line MSB Select.
This unit really is a bemouth. Packed perfectly in a hard travel case, no simple "industrial cardboard box" like my CH. It is heavy a 2-man job to get out of its case and onto the rack, at least at my age.
While the website talks about "streaming" with Tidal Connect, which I thought (other than the playing a CD/SACD) would be the only way I could listen until the unit became ROON capable, I am happy to say, JPlay worked without a hitch not just for all my files but Tidal and Qobuz as well. So, my big concern with not being Roon capable (as YET) really has no relevance as JPlay is an excellent (if not better) alternative.
First up was my old SACD Cat Stevens "Tea for the Tillerman". First listen I knew this was special. Detail, depth, transparency, imaging and bass control were beyond anything I have ever experienced. Before Elliot from Bending Wave brought me the unit, I did some extensive listening the night before, with some of Chris's selections from his playlist, a recent playlist released in a review of the DCS Varese as well as some of my old favorites. I had the area set up for comparison to do an A/B comparison after we had it all set up. With the unit still cold, literally just out of its travel case, during the first 20 seconds of SACD, I had a feeling the need for a comparison was NOT going to be necessary. To say I was stunned is an understatement. I didn't want to be hasty in jumping to any conclusions (although difficult not to) as this was "physical media" which I haven't listened to on the CH and questioning could that be why it was so good? We listened to most of the disc.
We decided to let it warm up, went to lunch and then started streaming after returning. Carefully listening to those tracks I listened the night before. One after enough I tried to remain stoic, just moving from one to another. After a couple of hours Elliot said, should we switch? To me the answer was very clear and with a loud shout as he was standing to make the switch I screamed NO, let's keep listening. There really was NO need to compare. There was no comparison. The subtleties of the music, the depth of image and bass, clarity and effortless manner of reproduction of what I have listened to so many times was transformational. My system is pretty much dialed in, my sound room is a dedicated one, that has been carefully (but not overtreated) treated with some great electronics.
Needless to say, the CH is leaving with Elliot, the StudiopPlayer is here until my unit, which I happily purchased arrives.
This is not a good or great product but a remarkable product in all aspects, especially relative to the CH C1.2 at the same price point.
I will post some pictures and some more about my experience. When Elliot was telling me how good this unit was relative to the big WADAX which he has in his listening room, I of course was skeptical, however, I have known Elliot for years and his recommendations, setup capabilities and service I never question so when he recommends something I listen.
This is something special.
This is the post my client made on Computer Audiophile site and gave me permission to copy and past it here
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
Elliot G.
Industry Expert
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