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…
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Sidebar 3: Entech: The Name Sounds Familiar...
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…
Sidebar 2: Specifications
Description: Single-chassis CD player with full-function remote control and digital (S/PDIF) input. D/A conversion: dual 20-bit Burr-Brown PCM1702 DACs. Digital filter: Pacific Microsonics PMD-100 HDCD decoder/filter. Outputs: one pair variable-level single-ended (RCA) analog, one pair variable-level balanced (XLR) analog (optional). Other: RS232 interface port. Frequency response: 5Hz–20kHz ±0.1dB. S/N Ratio (A-weighted): 104dB. Channel separation: 115dB. THD+Noise: 0.005%. Analog output voltage: 0–3V RMS single-ended, 2–6V RMS balanced. Analog output impedance…
Sidebar 3: Associated Equipment
Analog playback: VPI TNT turntable, JMW Memorial tonearm, Benz-Micro LO4 cartridge; Well Tempered Reference Record Player, Clearaudio Gamma Gold cartridge.
Preamplification: Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 and Acoustech phono preamps, VAC CPA1 Mk.II preamp, Sonic Frontiers Line 3 line stage.
Power amplifiers: VTL Ichiban, VAC Renaissance 70/70, Plinius SA-100 Mk.III.
Loudspeakers: Genesis 200, Magnepan MG1.6 Q/R, Thiel CS2.3.
Cables: Nirvana S-L; Kimber KCAG, KCTG, and Bi-Focal XL; Synergistic Research Resolution Reference and Designer's Reference;…
Sidebar 4: Measurements
The CL-15 was measured with its options set to the default settings, the condition in which it was auditioned by Brian Damkroger. One exception was the maximum level, which was at the higher option. From the single-ended outputs, the maximum level at 1kHz was 3.08V RMS, 3.75dB higher than the CD standard. As expected, the maximum voltage from the balanced outputs was exactly twice that, at 6.16V. The output impedance was a low 37 ohms from the single-ended jacks, 114 ohms from the balanced. The output polarity was absolute phase-correct from the single-ended…
Think about it for a second: If you could buy a six-disc CD changer that sounded every bit as good and was built just as well as a similarly priced single-disc player, would you be interested?
There are lots of good reasons to consider a CD changer. One that occurred immediately to me was that I work at home a lot, often spending evenings catching up on reading and paperwork. I rarely work to music because deciding what to listen to and changing discs shifts my focus from what I'm doing to the music. A changer might be a perfect solution. Other reasons popped into my head as…