In Use
For the listening tests, I used a McIntosh
MCD201 SACD player, Lamm M2.2 power amplifiers, and Carver Amazing
Mark IV ribbon speakers. A Squeezebox wireless music server was used for the
DAC music tests, receiving music files (*.wma) from a server located in
another building. A coaxial cable was connected to the Squeezebox coaxial
digital output and the DAC-1 coaxial input on the Bryston preamplifier. Cables were Legenburg and Nordost.
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This Telarc SACD (SACD-60595) has a newer version of my
favorite Telarc recording of Copland's Fanfare for the
Common Man. It is not as thunderous as the original one
that I love, but it still is a real test for any hi-fi
component.
The BP-26DA delivered all of the bass in the music, and
one of the power amplifiers shut down for a second (when
it senses clipping, it disconnects the speaker output to
prevent damage to the speaker). Of course, I had the
volume up too loud anyway, but I wanted to see if the
Bryston could put out high current demands in strong
bass passages. Obviously, it did. |
This
Telarc (SACD-60636) recording of the Mozart Requiem
makes me think of the fabulous movie Amadeus. The
orchestra, chorus, and soloists were blasting away full
tilt, but everything (instruments and voices) remained
distinct. This is a testimony to low IMD, which you will
see in the On the Bench section of this review. |
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I don't normally like classical music that has been
adapted in jazz fashion, but this Telarc disc
(SACD-63590) is excellent.
As a percussionist myself, I always look for clarity in
the way the cymbals are played, and they had a sheen in
the recording that I really enjoyed. |
If you
look at the cover of this Telarc SACD (SACD-60630), you
might think these guys are playing chamber music.
However, the rear listing of the tracks tells you that
it is jazz.
What I
listened for was the detail of each instrument across
the soundstage, and I don't see how it could get any
better than this.
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Go to Part III.
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