Digital Drive: REVIEW: Bluenote Koala CD Player/Recorder by jmholcomb@fuse.net

Model:	Koala
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$2250
Description:	one-box CD player
Manufacturer URL:	Bluenote
Manufacturer URL:	Bluenote

Review by jmholcomb@fuse.net ( A ) on October 23, 2005 at 11:22:50
IP Address: 66.42.170.94

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Since 1998, my digital front end has been a CAL Alpha DAC fed by the coaxial output of an old Denon CD changer. I was always pretty satisfied with this setup, finding it inherently musical. A check of the archives will reveal that many inmates are very fond of their Alphas to this day.
Recently, I was bitten pretty hard by the upgrade bug, so I decided to see what was out there in the way of a new CD player. It's always great to hear before you buy, so my first stop was my only local high end dealer. He had on offer a Naim CD5x ($2,950), and an Ayre CX-7e ($2,950). I found the Ayre to be wonderfully detailed, highly resolved, open, extended at both frequency extremes, and free of glare. However, the Ayre didn't groove like the Naim. The Naim was much less detailed, but fundamentally gripped the music better than the Ayre. After listening to both players, I wasn't completely satisfied with either.
I called Brian Bowdle at Venus HiFi, from whom I bought my amp and speakers, for his recommendations. In the past, he has spoken highly of the Lector CDP-0.5. He said that Lector had replaced that model with the CDP-0.6. and while that the new model was also very good, it was scarce, with about a three-month wait for delivery. He recommended another Italian player, the Bluenote Koala as being similarly good, and perhaps a bit better than the Lector. I ordered a Koala, and it arrived a few days later.
Unfortunately, it was bad-out-of-the-box. I suppose there's no need to go into the technical details, but Brian asked me to return the player directly to the distributor, Victor Goldstein of Fanfare International, for inspection. Mr. Goldstein confirmed a problem with the unit's voltage regulation, and overnighted me a new player.
The new Koala arrived single-boxed in the original factory-sealed box, which prominently displayed a label stating "please allow at least 100 hours" for break-in. As soon as I plugged the player into my system, I understood why. Initially, it was quite detailed, with a nice midrange, but no bass or treble. It sounded very congested on complex passages, and had no rhythmic ability whatsoever.
Over the first 30 hours or so, the highs opened up, and music became less congested. I thought a new power cord might speed things along, so I picked up a Zu Cable Bok on ebay. This seemed to give me more bass, but it was still flabby. I just kept on playing music trying to reach the magic 100 hour mark.
At 80-85 hours the player really underwent a metamorphosis. The bass tightened up, and the player suddenly got rhythm. I realized then that I was listening to a pretty damned good machine! On drums, I could hear the woosh of the sticks flying through the air. Piano is natural, glare-free, and non-metallic. The "hollowness" of guitars is plainly audible. This machine can really do air and space, and is more relaxed on top than most other CD players.
The only problem I've had with this player is tube noise. I opened the case, removed the tubes, and reinstalled them in the opposite sockets. This greatly quieted them, although I have heard a stray crackle or two since. BTW, the tubes are Electro-Harmonix 6922EH. Browsing the Asylum, these seem to be regarded as decent tubes. I'm not in any hurry to replace them, but I would be interested in hearing suggestions.
In terms of musical selection I feel that this is a superior machine for jazz, and very good for classical and most rock. I don't know how it would fare with electronica or rap, since I don't listen to those, but I suspect that a good SS player may bring more ultimate slam to the proceedings.
This player is probably as detailed as the Ayre, with some (but not all) of the Naim's drive, for less money than either player. If you're looking for a player in the $2,000 class, you should definitely consider it.

Product Weakness: ultimate rhythm, slam, and drive
Product Strengths: high resolution combined with tube warmth

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Almarro A-205
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cal Alpha, Rega P25
Speakers:	Almarro M33
Cables/Interconnects:	Zu Cable Oxyfuel and Bok
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, jazz, classical
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	ultimate rhythm, slam, and drive
Product Strengths:	high resolution combined with tube warmth