Digital Drive: REVIEW: Arcam CD72T CD Player/Recorder by JarrettH

Model:	CD72T
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$799
Description:	CD Player
Manufacturer URL:	Arcam
Model Picture:	View

Review by JarrettH ( A ) on January 05, 2003 at 19:11:20
IP Address: 66.185.84.69

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for the CD72T

Previously used: Philips CD 921
Classical listener more than anything.

CD72 vs CD72T differences?
"T" series models use a newer Sony transport which adds text capability (the older transport was discontinued), and minor internal circuitry changes.
This was a 'best under $1k CDN' search. I knew of the CA 500se, Shanling, Rotel. The Rotel was the strongest of the three: CA was too laid back for my tastes, the Shanling S100 lacked bass (made up for it in MORE treble).
This left the Rotel RCD-1070 and the Arcam CD72T, which I was not aware, could be had for about the same price (boxing day sales....$900 CDN).
I tested the two players in three sessions head-on at Brack Electronics. (www.brack.tv)

I decided on the Arcam CD72T for these reasons:
- VERY detailed....great resolving power (Rotel was sluggish in areas)
- A touch of warmth (that atmosphere in jazz recordings)
- Neutrality! (I found that the Rotel player added a certain colouration to recordings which was much more apparent, as a musician, when I know what to listen for.)
- S/N > 100db spec is incredible...a sense of a larger dynamic range than previous
- Bass is much more pronounced than before (it SOUNDS like low strings, winds, percussion, etc as opposed to a low muddy distortion)
- Separation of instruments in The Rite of Spring (Philips 50th, Colin Davis, 2cd) is exciting to hear.
- Very sweet treble. No longer did I have to turn the volume down in percussive sections of music as in the old harsh player.

Another importance is relaxation in the music - if the player can reproduce the 'mood' of the music. Stravinsky's "Orpheus" or "Demeurer dans L'Amour..." from "Illuminations of the Beyond" by Messiaen are excellent sources to use. The ultra-low distortion of the player aided to capture the mood of this piece and what's going on in it. - Orpheus is certainly one of Stravinsky's more subtle and possibly one of his most moving works. The piece rarely reaches Forte. (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, DG). The Messiaen excerpt, if you are familiar, is generally continuous in atmosphere/mood - strings and winds, but more predominantly strings - all playing the same notes, dynamics...EVERYTHING (quite slow, little vibrato just to make it sound more timeless, - his music has the effect of stopping time). The cellos can be subtley heard under the violins which is very important in this. Again, the writing in Messiaen's music can draw you in like no other.
Maybe my glowing impressions of this player, in combination with Messiaen's music, speak for itself.
I'd recommend this to Classical and Jazz lovers for its more sought characteristics. The Rotel can sound cold (some may consider that more neutral), and it definitely produces more bass (perhaps not as detailed, but it's audible).

Please contact me if you have ANY questions regarding this player. I'll be more than happy to answer them.
Regards,
JarrettH

Product Weakness: Wind instruments sounded a touch more lush on the Rotel RCD-1070, power cord doesn't stay firmly in the player
Product Strengths: Detail, LOW distortion, detailed bass and separation of string instruments (being able to hear what everyone is contributing to the whole...hearing the bows move against the string), nice at loud volumes.....not harsh at all!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	NAD C350
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Arcam CD72T
Speakers:	Kinima Hi G1
Cables/Interconnects:	Ultralink - COMPETITION Audio Interconnect, EXCELSIOR Transmission Line Speaker Cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical / Jazz
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Wind instruments sounded a touch more lush on the Rotel RCD-1070, power cord doesn't stay firmly in the player
Product Strengths:	Detail, LOW distortion, detailed bass and separation of string instruments (being able to hear what everyone is contributing to the whole...hearing the bows move against the string), nice at loud volumes.....not harsh at all!