Digital Drive: REVIEW: Canary Audio CD-200 CD Player/Recorder by Constrained 1

Model:	CD-200
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$3,500.00
Description:	Balanced, tube output CD Player
Manufacturer URL:	Canary Audio

Review by Constrained 1 on August 15, 2010 at 21:40:51
IP Address: 75.72.62.168 Add Your Review
for the CD-200

Had some issues with my CD-200 due to my own tampering. I work with a high-end modifier so (I inevitably) decided to try and improve on the CD-200's sound... It didn't happen, I only succeeded in making it worse! To further complicate matters, I damaged the laser mechanism with my tinkering. When I contacted, John Laurel, the owner and designer for Canary Audio, he was very gracious and asked me to ship the player back to him for evaluation and possible repair.

After looking at and evaluating my CD-200, he told me that I had damaged it pretty badly! He then told me that he was coming out with a newer revision that was superior sonically to my player. The only problem was that it would take some time to get the newer laser mechanisms and Sony chipsets. He asked if I would wait until he could get these, and he would work something out for me on my old CD-200. I had a spare CD player, so I told him to go for it!

A few months later, I got the newest revision of the CD-200 back from John and Canary Audio. The new faceplate is a beautiful satin gold color with a black powder coated chassis. Boy, was he right!!! All of the superlatives that I spoke about with the old CD-200 apply here in spades with more definition on both frequency extremes...better highs as well as deeper, tighter, stronger bass. I have been listening to this player for a few months now, and I can't think of any player that I would replace it with for any amount of money (and I get to hear the best out there)! It embarrasses the highly modified OPPO BDP83SE in every sonic area. It's big, heavy, and built like a tank and doesn't have all of the bells and whistles on its remote that other brand-name units do, but I promise you that it will outperform them in every area sonically. It actually sounds better on well recorded CD's than my Oppo BDP83SE does playing good SACD's!

Try to find a dealer to audition this player, or email John Laurel at Canary Audio about where you can purchase a unit. Your player-of-the-month searching will be over! Before, my system was great, but now it borders on "live" music - no kidding...

If you read my other posts, you will remember my friend that player for the Minnesota Orchestra (Contra Bass), and his comments about the sound of the older version of the CD-200. When he came over and heard this newest revision, he was almost speechless. The first comment out of his mouth was, "I can't believe it...I didn't think that your system could get much better, but it has!" After listening to a few orchestral passages he proclaimed that the newer CD-200 replicated the sound of an orchestra better than any CD player that he has heard (and he should know).

I work in the Audio Industry, so I take a rave about a certain product very seriously...it could harm my reputation if I misrepresented its sonics and character. John Laurel is a superb designer, as well as a very gracious and talented man. He really, really has a winner here!!!

NUFF SAID...

John Allison
Allison Dynamics

www.canaryaudio.com

Product Weakness:	None that I have found yet...
Product Strengths:	Musicality, Dynamics, Bass, Imaging, Build Qualitys

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Antique Sound Labs autoformer passive
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Canary Audio CD-200
Speakers: Meadowlark Ospreys (modified)
Cables/Interconnects: Anti-cables and Silver Anti-IC's
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Rock, Folk, Christian, Orchestral
Room Size (LxWxH): 12'6 x 17'6 x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: 4 - 6
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio Duet
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Antique Sound Labs autoformer passive
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Canary Audio CD-200
Speakers:	Meadowlark Ospreys (modified)
Cables/Interconnects:	Anti-cables and Silver Anti-IC's
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Rock, Folk, Christian, Orchestral
Room Size (LxWxH):	12'6 x 17'6 x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	4 - 6
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Duet
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner