Hi-Fi News Reviews the CDP-202

[RebelMan]

A new review of the CDP-202 comes from the August issue of Hi-Fi News Magazine. I think the article does a commendable job in capturing the real essence of the player. A few excerpts are provided below.

"I anticipated the very solid-state/digital malaise that keeps me wedded to analogue valves 'n' vinyl. The CDP-202 was having none of it, immediately demonstrating a top-end free of fatigue-inducing nasties."

"What the overall effect boils down to is impressive presence, especially the rich lower registers, held in check by beautiful tonal balance. No part of the sonic landscape dominates - at least not so you'd notice it to the point of annoyance. This component seems to have been voiced by someone who loves natural sounds especially vocals and unplugged instruments."

A few remarks about DVD-A discs are included and I think the author was spot on with them.

[Andrew M Ward]

one of my favorite CD players ;x(

[wettou]

A new review of the CDP-202 comes from the August issue of Hi-Fi News Magazine. I think the article does a commendable job in capturing the real essence of the player. A few excerpts are provided below.

Do you know if Classé has the review on pdf yet?:lol:

[RebelMan]

I don't think it is available yet. There are older reviews from Hi-Fi Choice and stereophile posted on the Classé website if you haven't seen them.

[wettou]

I don't think it is available yet. There are older reviews from Hi-Fi Choice and stereophile posted on the Classé website if you haven't seen them.

Thanks RebelMan, It's to bad you can't print the Stereophile review :cry:

[Fido]

Well I must say, I absolutely LOVE my cdp-202. Hey Rebelman, send me that mag....I'll send it back as soon as I read it. Of course it may be cheaper to just go buy a copy...lol
Thanks for the heads up Reb...!

[bigburner]

Well I must say, I absolutely LOVE my cdp-202. Hey Rebelman, send me that mag....I'll send it back as soon as I read it. Of course it may be cheaper to just go buy a copy...lol
Thanks for the heads up Reb...!

Fido, I don't want to nitpick but the quote is:

"We call a man a bigot or a slave of dogma because he is a thinker who has thought thoroughly and to a definite end".

It's a good quote so worth getting right, if you don't mind me saying so.

Here's another one of his that I like:

"Impartiality is a pompous name for indifference, which is an elegant name for ignorance."

Nigel.

[rompower]

Anyone did a demo between the 202 and the 102? I'd like to see some comments about both.
thanks

I'm hesiting between the 102, cdt-300 and the cdp-202 and.. the marantz sa-7s1 (the new reference cd)

[RebelMan]

I have not done a direct A/B with the CDP-102 but the CDP-102 shares the same audio boards as the CDP-300 which I have compared to the CDP-202. I wrote my thoughts down some time ago but I would need to dig up the notes.

[rompower]

Dig Dig please
thanks

[RebelMan]

I found my notes, they are in shorthand...

cdp-202

tempered and sensuous highs
warm, dark and sensual midrange
natural and authoritative lows
relaxed listening
smooth and slightly reserved
a sense of analog air
refined overall

cdp-300

extended and zingy highs
cool, bright and sassy midrange
synthetic and pretentious lows
energetic listening
detailed and slightly spirited
a sense of digital air
dynamic overall

The differences were more or less subtle in certain areas but this was how each player's character was impressed upon me.

[Fido]

Fido, I don't want to nitpick but the quote is:

"We call a man a bigot or a slave of dogma because he is a thinker who has thought thoroughly and to a definite end".

It's a good quote so worth getting right, if you don't mind me saying so.

Here's another one of his that I like:

"Impartiality is a pompous name for indifference, which is an elegant name for ignorance."

Nigel.

Well brother Nigel, you are nitpicking. Haahaha...just kidding. I have sent a querry to the Chesterton society to verify the correct wording of the quote and to get a verification of the written source material so I can look it up for myself. I found this quote on a website and printed it off verbatim. However...I really can't see either wording destroying the overall meaning of the quotation.
If you have an actual, official Chesterton book or publication in which the "correct" quotation appears please let me know so I can look it up. Next time please try and correct me a bit more discreetly. It's only proper. Thanks friend.

[Fido]

I would concur with Rebelman's reviews of the CDP-202 only to add that it offers an incredible sense of depth and spaciousness when playing well recorded material.

[wettou]

It would be nice if Classé made a multichannel SACD player

[rompower]

And which one would you pick between both? I'm mainly listening to folk/accoustic/pop/starting listening to jazz and classic...

thanks

I found my notes, they are in shorthand...
cdp-202

tempered and sensuous highs
warm, dark and sensual midrange
natural and authoritative lows
relaxed listening
smooth and slightly reserved
a sense of analog air
refined overall

cdp-300

extended and zingy highs
cool, bright and sassy midrange
synthetic and pretentious lows
energetic listening
detailed and slightly spirited
a sense of digital air
dynamic overall

The differences were more or less subtle in certain areas but this was how each player's character was impressed upon me.

[RebelMan]

I mostly listen to female vocals and acoustical instruments of the smooth jazz genre and felt that the CDP-202 was an ideal fit (if that helps any).

[wettou]

I mostly listen to female vocals and acoustical instruments of the smooth jazz genre and felt that the CDP-202 was an ideal fit (if that helps any).

Rebel Man you might enjoy these two French singers.

Mylene Farmer:

http://www.amazon.com/Mots-Best-Mylene-Farmer/dp/B00005RD56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1218153316&sr=1-1

Liane Foly

http://www.amazon.com/Liane-Foly/e/B000AP7AIA/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel#ep_discography

[Glen B]

I mostly listen to female vocals and acoustical instruments of the smooth jazz genre and felt that the CDP-202 was an ideal fit (if that helps any).

I highly recommend the following title, available from Music Direct on both CD and vinyl. This superb recording features primarily acoustic guitar and female vocals. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Antonio Forcione & Sabina Sciubba - Meet Me In London (NAIM Records)

Here's a sample (mp3) of the track "Could You Believe":

http://h1.ripway.com/Glen%20B/Could%20You%20Believe-.mp3

[Birdy]

I highly recommend the following title, available from Music Direct on both CD and vinyl. This superb recording features primarily acoustic guitar and female vocals. I do not think you will be disappointed.

Antonio Forcione & Sabina Sciubba - Meet Me In London (NAIM Records)

Here's a sample (mp3) of the track "Could You Believe":
http://h1.ripway.com/Glen%20B/Could%...20Believe-.mp3

Yes yes, great CD, musically & technically :T :T :T

Birdy

[RebelMan]

Thanks for the tips guys. Glen, great clip, thank you!