Digital Drive: REVIEW: Muse Electronics Model 8 CD Player/Recorder by EdM

Model:	Model 8
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$3500
Description:	CD/DVD Transport
Manufacturer URL:	Muse Electronics
Manufacturer URL:	Muse Electronics

Review by EdM ( A ) on January 16, 2002 at 06:55:33
IP Address: 160.79.220.130

Add Your Review
for the Model 8

Well I started some time ago with the Model 2, added a Model 5 CD player, graduated to a Model 296 DAC and now finally am able to join the big leagues replacing the 5 with the 8 and connecting them with the I2S interface. Yes, I am a massive fan of Muse ever since I heard the Model 2.
Ever go to the eye doctor and get a new prescription? Your first impression is seeing all the little details clearly that you were missing before. This is the Muse 8 and 296! It imparts amazing clarity and detail without being harsh or bright
"Hearing details you never heard before" is a pretty overused comment in reviews so I'm not going to say that.
Let's just suffice to say what I heard was the most incredible details and nuances in music I was already very familar with. I could not stop listening....airy, transparent; bass notes are solid and drums sound like they are hollow instead of just booms.
Then I made the mistake of trying Fleetwood Mac's Rumours on DVD-Audio... I was up way past midnight and enthralled.
This album never sounded like this after all these years, it was fresh and alive! The soundstage extended wall to wall, floor to ceiling, and about six feet deep. Incredibly accuracy while maintaining body and emotion. This is two channel hi rez music at it's absolute best.
You can pick up the 296 and 8 combination on the used market for around $3000 and they will blow away ANYTHING out there. And I never plan on even using the video portion I just got it for the audio.
The ONLY thing to criticize is the remote for it too many buttons but I can easily live with it. But in return this is one of the fastest transports (if not THE fastest) ever. You put a disk in and it is immediately read and ready to play- no waiting and whirring. In fact the 8 makes no noise at all (except beautiful music). AND changing tracks is instant as well, again no noise, clicks, whirring just music.

My previous experiences have been with Pioneer PD-65, Nohr CD-1, Muse 5, Arcam CD-72 and these are much lower priced products although I have heard many high end units at shows and showrooms.

Product Weakness: Remote
Product Strengths: Resolution- a truely reference CD transport
Fast, accurate, and very refined

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 4B-ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Muse 3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Muse 8
Speakers:	Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rods
Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Keiko Matsui, McKennit Fleetwood Mac
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 10 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Accoustic Panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	8 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Dedicated circuits
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Remote
Product Strengths:	Resolution- a truely reference CD transport Fast, accurate, and very refined