Analog Sources: Linn LP12 turntable, Naim Armageddon power supply, Naim Aro tonearm; Rega P3 turntable, Rega RB300 tonearm; Rega P9 turntable, Rega RB900 tonearm; Miyabi 47, Supex 900 Super, Goldring Elite, Lyra Helikon Mono, Rega Elys cartridges; Tamura TKS-83 step-up transformers.
Digital Source: Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Linn Linto phono preamplifier; Fi, Lamm LL2, Artemis Labs LA-1 preamplifiers.
Power Amplifiers: Lamm ML2.1, Quad II monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL.
Cables: Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx,…
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Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
There's an old Spanish proverb: "If six people call you an ass, start braying." A contemporary corollary might be that if enough audiophiles insist a product is the best ever, it behooves the "experts" to check it out. At least, that was John Atkinson's thinking when he suggested I audition the Oppo Digital DV-970HD universal disc player ($149).
"The DV-970 has created quite a buzz on the Internet as a budget competitor for expensive high-end music players, even though it's obviously aimed at the A/V market. I'm interested in discovering what an experienced listener thinks of it…
Any misgivings I had about pairing a $149 disc player with a $50,000 system were quickly laid to rest. Albéniz's Malagueña, Op.3, was full-bodied and smooth. The harmonic overtones of the strings were extended and decayed slowly—top-end extension was detailed, but not etched. Russell's melodic momentum was forceful, delivered with rhythmic ebb and flow that was convincingly dynamic.
Ida Haendel's recital DVD-V Bach, Beethoven, Chausson (VAI 4395) was an ear-opener. Haendel plays both a Stradivari and a Guarneri; I don't know which she played on this recording, but in her hands it sounds…
John Marks wrote about the Oppo in June 2007 (Vol.30 No.6):
A few quick words about this inexpensive universal digital player ($149), which punches far above its weight class. At the time of writing, I had no idea what Wes Phillips said about it, but his full review was published in the May issue. Judging only by its two-channel audio performance, the Oppo DV-970HD is a very respectable player. Taking its price into account, it is an exceptional bargain.
Oppo thoughtfully includes an Audio Only function on the remote control, which disables the player's video functions. However…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Universal digital disc player with remote control and upconverting video output. Formats supported: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD, HDCD, SACD, DVD+/-RW, CD-R/RW, Certified DivX, XviD, Kodak Picture CD, WMA. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz, ±1dB. Signal/noise ratio: >100dB. THD: <0.01%. Analog outputs: 8 unbalanced (RCA), mixdown L/R, Front L/C/R, Surround L/R, Subwoofer. Digital outputs: HDMI, TosLink, S/PDIF coaxial. Digital inputs: USB 1.1, flash-memory card reader. Video outputs: HDMI, component (YPbPr/YCbCr), S-video, composite.
Dimensions:…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Ayre C-5xe universal player, Krell Evolution 505 SACD/CD player.
Digital Converter: Slim Devices Transporter.
Preamplifiers: Ayre K-1xe, Krell Evolution 202.
Power Amplifiers: Ayre MX-R monoblocks, Krell Evolution 600.
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Confidence C1, Wilson Audio Specialties WATT/Puppy 8.
Cables: Interconnect: Kimber KCAG, Krell CAST, Shunyata Research Aries & Antares. Speaker: Shunyata Research Lyra.
Accessories: Ayre L-5xe line filter; Furutech eTP-609 distribution box, FP-20A(R) duplex outlets, RDP panels;…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I tested the Oppo DV-970HD from its Front L and Front R output jacks, with spot checks on the others. I also had to update the player's firmware—an easy procedure—so that its front-panel display would correctly display SACD tracks numbered higher than 14. (Otherwise, the player's onscreen display, fed to a TV monitor, needed to be used to play SACDs.) The player's maximum output level was 2.2V RMS whether it was playing CDs, DVDs, or SACDs, and the player preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting) with all three media. The player's error correction was…
The devil's in the details, so here's one detail you should know going in: The El Diablo, a deceptively modest-looking, casket-like, compact, three-way loudspeaker from Danish firm Peak Consult, will cost you a penny less than $65,000/pair. Why? Yes, the dollar's continued slide has alarmingly driven up the price of imported audio gear, but even so...
The Details
Though it's only 44.5" tall, 11.8" wide, and 21.5" deep, the Diablo weighs a hefty 188 lbs. Clearly, a great deal of something has been packed into its relatively small cabinet, and it's not lead.
The hand-built…
The Diablos produced a stable, exceptionally well-proportioned, clearly defined, and especially tactile aural picture, and excelled at re-creating front-to-back depth in great relief. The front of the stage developed well in front of the speaker baffles, and rear-wall information from familiar live recordings appeared from what seemed like the side yard, beyond the walls of my listening room. If you're into imaging and soundstaging, the Diablos won't disappoint. In fact, they may redefine those terms for you in terms of bubble-like cohesiveness, if not in terms of grandiosity.
The…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, dual-ported, floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" non–ferrofluid-cooled, soft-dome tweeter; 5" plastic-cone midrange unit; two 9" plastic-cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 200Hz, 4800Hz. Frequency response: 20Hz–45kHz, –3dB. Sensitivity: 94dB/W/m. Nominal Impedance: 7 ohms.
Dimensions: 44.5" (1140mm) H by 11.8" (300mm) W by 21.5" (550mm) D. Weight: 188 lbs (85.5kg).
Finish: Italian Walnut.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: 5150A, 5150B.
Price: $65,000/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 6.
Manufacturer: Peak…