CD Player/Transport Reviews

Sidebar 1: Anthony H. Cordesman, from January 1987 (Vol.10 No.1):

The Tandberg CD player is in a state of transition, and a 16-bit, 4-times oversampling machine might be out by the time you read this. Based on preliminary listening, I suspect that Tandberg may be the first to solve the problems in the Philips 16-bit machines.

The existing Tandberg machines, however, are quite good. They have excellent phase response, use top quality components, and use a direct-coupled signal path—no capacitors—from the output of the D/A converter to the output sockets. The Tandberg uses zero negative feedback, has its own headphone amplifier and volume control, and is exceptionally well built—rivaling the California Audio Labs in overall construction quality.

The Tandberg 3015A also has a different sound character from the other players in this section. It has the highest resolution of detail at all dynamic levels. It has particularly strong—sometimes slightly overstrong—deep bass. At the same time, it's more two-dimensional and lacking in depth, and the upper octaves are more prominent. The upper midrange is not hard, but it is very much more apparent than in any of the US-made players I have auditioned. The transient and dynamic response is excellent, and the centerfill and overall imaging is very good.

The Tandberg 3015A will, therefore, be best suited to the audiophile who likes detail and a forward, live sound. At the same time, it is worth noting that the 16-bit prototypes have more depth, and a sweeter upper range. If Tandberg can solve the 16-bit problem, its CD player is likely to be even more competitive than it already is.—Anthony H. Cordesman