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Digital Drive: REVIEW: Cary Audio Design 303/200 CD Player/Recorder by matt

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REVIEW: Cary Audio Design 303/200 CD Player/Recorder

67.33.133.100


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Model: 303/200
Category: CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price: $3000
Description: 24/96 Upsampling Cd Player
Manufacturer URL: Cary Audio Design
Manufacturer URL: Cary Audio Design

Review by matt ( A ) on May 13, 2002 at 19:23:09
IP Address: 67.33.133.100
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for the 303/200


I purchased the Cary 303/200 from about 3 weeks ago to replace my California Audio Labs Delta and Alpha upgraded to 24/96. I was nervous for 2 reasons. I was worried that I would loose the silky mids that tubes do so well and that the law of diminishing returns would play a role in players at this level. When I first played the Cary, I noticed a level of detail in the recordings that I had never heard before. I was still worried that I had spent all of this money on a piece of equipment that would not be significantly better than what I had before. I then walked away from the unit and left it playing for the next 200 hours for break-in.

When I came back and listened, I was amazed. The beautiful midrange that I have grown so attached to was there along with an amazing amount of detail. It was as if a veil was lifted off of my system. The 24/96 adds a level of depth and transparency to the sound stage that I had not heard on digital. The bass was much punchier and hit notes I have not heard through my system. I found that I prefer using the HDCD processor as opposed to the 24/96 on HDCD discs.

Over all, this is a very well built unit that has taken my system to a new level.


Product Weakness: Had problems upsampling from my Tascam DAT deck.
Product Strengths: Tranparency, Build Quality, Bass


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Sonic Frontiers Power 2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Music Hall MMF 7 w/ Dynavector 10x4
Speakers: Tannoy Definition 500
Cables/Interconnects: The Music Cable Interconnects and Speaker Cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 13 x 10 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 Weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster HTS2000
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Cary Audio Design 303/200 CD Player/Recorder - matt 19:23:09 05/13/02 ( 29)