General Asylum: 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 September 14, 2008 at 05:08:13
IP Address: 75.72.80.162 Add Your Review
for the CD-200

As a follow-up to my previously posted review, I wanted to post my impressions of the CD-200 after having lived with it for one year. All that I can say is, "Quit the CD player of the month club...find a dealer that handles this player and give it a listen!" In the last year of ownership, I purchased upgraded Russian military cryoed 6922 tubes and upgraded the input fuse to the exceptional Furutech 5x20mm 4 amp version. I also added isolation feet to the player. Even prior to these tweaks, the player easily outperformed players costing multiples of its $3,500 price tag. Did I mention that this player is built like a tank with an enormous, shielded toroidal transformer with 8 output taps into 8 seperate diode banks and regulated power supplies. It also uses the Sony HD CD mechanism that will read almost any audio format other than DVD or SACD. Its digital conversion uses the Sony 24 bit/192kHz digital filter and DA converters - there is one summing IC then all discrete conversion and audio transistor circuitry prior to the tube output stage.

The sound of this player is musical, detailed and...simply stunning. I get to listen to some of the very best audio equipment that is offered today as an OEM supplier/modifier, and none of them even tempts me to change! This player has it all - detail, resolution, imaging, soundstage depth, ease of listening, superb and powerful bass, etc. Even though my first impressions of the unit were extremely positive, it continued to improve its performance for the first 6 months of ownership, and has gotten significantly better than when I first posted my listening impressions.

I am hanging onto my CD-200 because it makes music and gives me great joy when I sit to listen... To quote a friend of mine who has played first contra-bass with a major orchestra, "this is the first CD player that I can listen to for an extended amount of time and really, really enjoy the music. It doesn't sound digital...but is the closest to the 'real thing' than I have encountered in a very long time...including a few excellent turntables that I have heard. I'm saving my dollars to purchase one of my own." Enough said...could you give a product a better endorsement.

Product Weakness:	Remote control is metal and beautiful, but lacks a few features that some others offer.
Product Strengths:	Build quality, musicality, bass, imaging, soundstaging, depth, ability to connect with the music.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Audio Research Classic 60
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Antique Audio Labs Autoformer
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Canary Audio CD-200
Speakers: Meadowlark Ospreys, ACI Titan LE
Cables/Interconnects: Paul Speltz Anti-Cables, IC's
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Pop, Rock, New Age, Jazz, Gospel
Room Size (LxWxH): 18'6 x 12'6 x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: 2' x 2' x 6%22 Pyramidal Foam
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 Year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio Duet
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Audio Research Classic 60
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Antique Audio Labs Autoformer
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Canary Audio CD-200
Speakers:	Meadowlark Ospreys, ACI Titan LE
Cables/Interconnects:	Paul Speltz Anti-Cables, IC's
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Pop, Rock, New Age, Jazz, Gospel
Room Size (LxWxH):	18'6 x 12'6 x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	2' x 2' x 6%22 Pyramidal Foam
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 Year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio Duet
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner