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Improved resolution of low-level detail was another area where the 203.2 made a big difference. The sense of space around an instrument was reproduced well, as were the image edges—the interaction of the instruments with the space around them. Acoustic discs like Festival had a wonderful, natural feel, with realistic images in a seamless, coherent space. Low-level details—pages turning, music stands being slid—were finely reproduced and helped re-create the original ambience. A really stark example of how the 203.2 handled space, however, was "Take the Highway Down," from Tommy Castro's Can'…
I didn't think I could get the Stereophile Guide to Home Theater folks to send down a high-tech projection TV to really test the integration concept, so I auditioned the 205.2 in the two current reference systems at Casa Damkroger. The first is built around VAC electronics, Thiel CS2.3 loudspeakers, and Nirvana S-L wiring, and the Entech was fed by an Ultech UCD-100 player. In our other rig, Sonic Frontiers and Plinius electronics drove Magnepan MG1.6/Rs via Kimber Kabling, and transport duties were handled by Marantz CD63SE and Parasound CDP-1000 players. Synergistic Research's Digital…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Stand-alone digital/analog converters. Input complements: 203.2: one 75 ohm coaxial (RCA), one optical (TosLink); 205.2: two coaxial, one TosLink. Output complement: one unbalanced analog. D/A conversion: Crystal Semiconductor 20-bit delta-sigma. Filtering: 203.2: 3-pole analog; 205.2: 5-pole analog. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.25dB. Linearity, 16- or 20-bit data: ±1.0dB at –100dBFS. THD+Noise: <0.005%, 20Hz–20kHz. Absolute noise floor at 1kHz: 203.2, <–130dB; 205.2, <–134dB. Output level: 2.5V.
Dimensions: 203.2: 6.25" W by 2.5"…
Sidebar 2: Associated Components
Digital front-ends: Ultech UCD-100, CAL CL-15, Parasound CDP-1000, Marantz CD63SE, Philips CDC926 CD players/transports; Denon DVD-3000 DVD player.
Preamplification: Sonic Frontiers Phono-1 phono preamp, VAC CPA1 Mk.II preamp, Sonic Frontiers Line 3 line stage, Rega Luna integrated amplifier.
Power amplifiers: VAC Renaissance 70/70, Plinius SA-100 Mk.III.
Loudspeakers: Magnepan MG1.6 Q/R, Thiel CS2.3, Castle Severn.
Cables: Nirvana S-L; Kimber KCAG, KCTG, PBJ, 4TC, Bi-Focal XL; Synergistic Research Digital Corridor Reference; Synergistic…
Sidebar 3: Entech: The Name Sounds Familiar...
At first glance, the pieces of the Entech puzzle don't quite fit together. There's Monster Cable, a company that truly needs no introduction but that's synonymous with wire, not electronics. Next, the name "Entech Number Cruncher" seems vaguely familiar, but conjures up images of ultra-expensive gear somehow associated with electronics manufacturer Spectral. Finally, doesn't the very notion of inexpensive D/A converters in unique, small packages ring a familiar bell? Didn't there used to be a company—"Alchemy" something-or-other—that defined…
Sidebar 4: Measurements
While many of the electrical measurements for the two Entech processors were very similar—both were noninverting, both had an output level around 2.65V RMS, nearly 2.5dB above the CD standard level of 2V—they had very different output impedances. The 203.2's analog output was sourced from a low, not-unusual 590 ohms. The 205.2, however, featured a source impedance of less than 1 ohm, which should render it capable of driving pretty much any load its owner wishes—even the proverbial length of wet string! I assume it has an extra output driver stage, as it drove…
It was inevitable that I'd encounter the California Audio Labs CL-15 in my search for a CD player priced less than stratospherically. CAL was one of the first companies to hit the market with a high-end CD player, and they've been building great-sounding digital gear ever since. What's more, the CL-15's predecessor was the Icon PowerBoss Mk.II HDCD, a longtime personal favorite. I was particularly curious to see how the CAL would stack up against today's competition. I've been impressed with CAL products over the years—the original Sigma, the Delta, the DX-1 and 2, and, of course, the Icon.…
The computer interface is obviously a big advantage for inclusion in a multiroom installation. In a standard system, however, it's probably not a big factor. Once the novelty wears off, I can't imagine anyone preferring to mess with a computer instead of just using the remote. Similarly, listening to different configuration settings and optimizing for a particular system is a nice capability, but I had no quarrels with CAL's default settings.
Where the interface would come in handy, however, is in problematic listening rooms. In an asymmetric setting, the balance could be tuned with the…
The superb dynamics were particularly evident on simple, live recordings like Steve Forbert's club disc, Be Here Now on Rolling Tide, an uncanny re-creation of a club performance and feel. With the CAL, Forbert's presence, and the electricity in the air around him, were spooky. I was tempted to go upstairs and down the hall to test the Holiday Inn effect! Another great example was Sister Hazel's live acoustic version of "All for You" from Collector's Edition, the Albuquerque version of the SBR/Salvation Army benefit CD. Just the simple sound of a pick strumming down the strings on an…
Sidebar 1: Just for Fun: A Format Comparison
Like a lot of folks, I've adopted a "wait and see" attitude toward the emerging digital formats. On one hand, I've got a two-turntable, 10,000-LP commitment to analog. On the other hand, I've been mightily impressed by the initial 24/96 releases, and by demos of Meridian's Lossless Packing and Sony's DSD. In between, there are great-sounding CDs and players like the CAL CL-15. Until it gets sorted out, my strategy is to hunker down with my records and reasonably priced CD and DVD players.
As I was listening to the CL-15, I found myself…