Digital Drive: REVIEW: Response Audio RAM HDCD Tube player CD Player/Recorder by Drlutes

Model:	RAM HDCD Tube player
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,200
Description:	Modified Music Hall CD-25 w/ Class A tube stage and ZERO feedback
Manufacturer URL:	Response Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by Drlutes ( A ) on June 13, 2003 at 10:31:41
IP Address: 205.188.209.69

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for the RAM HDCD Tube player

Why would anybody buy a cd only player in 2003, let alone spend a fair sum on it? I have an answer--in order to get the best enjoyment possible out of a collection of 1000's of CD's that don't sound as good on universal DVD players or the newer audio players (that are made mostly to give playback of the new competing SACD and DVD-Audio formats)as they do even on older conventional mid-priced CDP's. Come to think of it, my favorite old LP recordings generally didn't sound as good once they were silvered no matter what player I listened on.

We know that, all other things being equal, not all CD players sound alike. So, when it came time to replace the old Sony CA7ES CDP (the last phaseof an ongoing system upgrade), I went looking for something pricier to be my 'last CDP'. I found many attractive players, mostly out of my price range. All yielded improvements over the Sony in terms of overall sound reproduction, but only the most expensive models lacked the "digital" qualities that have spoiled so many of my older rereleased recordings and detract even from newer ones.

Recently I bought an integrated amp from Response Audio and have been most pleased with it. After reading about modified CDP's (AH!, Heart, others)I saw that Bill was selling a modified, tubed, Music Hall 25 (AKA Shanling)for $1200. I listened around some more and decided that nothing available locally, within my price range, really justified over $1000 (I would have gone perhaps to $2,000 for "the one"). The gutted Marantz's have garned fabulous reviews, but the Music Hall strikes me as a preferable platform to start out from. So I took the risk (only second time) and got the RAM 25 Signature.

The tube crowd is on to something. I haven't had a piece with tubes since the mid-60's and forgot how they could sound. With only about 50 hours on the new CDP I can say without hestitation that it's the best single addition to a system I've ever made. I'm not an audiophile, but having listened to and played music for many decades I appreciate the sound of real music--especially on acoustic instruments. Well, hear (sic) it is!

I'm hearing things I couldn't hear before but knew were there. The bass is comparatively much tighter and more extended even at lower volumes. The midrange is changing--at first it sounded about like the Sony but has suddenly developed a more "open" quality. The upper frequencies are night and day different, much less distortion, no digital sheen or glare, lots of space and detail resolution, no ssssss's on female voices and much better handling of the nuanced sound from metal percussion.

There is no audible loss of high frequencies, although the whole sound is much "richer" (maybe natural is the right word) and I'm noticing much less distortion and congestion around big orchestral climaxes than I could have imagined possible with just a change in CDP's.

There are some little things, like side-to-side/front-to-back recreation of a spatial layout that may not be as realistic as a few players that I heard costing over twice this price. In all other regards the RAM 25 is at least as good, and I'm not sure it is through metamorphizing yet. Nothing cheaper than $2400 came even close.

I know people who spend more on cables than I have on my entire system. They're not always better sounding, but generally the best gear costs more. You can't listen to these modified machines beforehand, but I think that if one is going to spend a fair chunk, for love of music, on a CDP, this approach requires urgent checking out and is well worth whatever risk may be entailed by shopping long distance. Response Audio has done very well by me, and most of the other mod vendors seem to have satisfied customers. I can't compare this unit with the competing mods, nor do I feel any need to do so because I'm happy as a dung beetle in shit with my system as it now sounds. Still, I'd agree with the majority of other mod owners that upgrading the solid state components and adding the tubed output stage works a stunning transformation on redbook CD's. The HDCD playback is also very seductive--as expected--but it's on the plain-jane CD's that you get your money's worth with this player.

Product Weakness: There may be some warranty or repair issues, don't know. But these are not much on my mind as I listen to the music.
Product Strengths: Playback of redbook CD's -- sonically stunning if the rest of the gear is at least decent. Good looks, durable build.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Roksan Kandy MKIII (120wpc/8Ohms; 220 wpc /4Ohms
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	RAM 25 Signature
Speakers:	Dynaudio Audience 70 (4 Ohms); Paradigm PW2200 12
Cables/Interconnects:	Monster (yeh, I know)
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, acoustic blues, folk, rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 14 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Dedicated music room, tends if anything to be on the
Time Period/Length of Audition:	~50 hours on this CDP
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	There may be some warranty or repair issues, don't know. But these are not much on my mind as I listen to the music.
Product Strengths:	Playback of redbook CD's -- sonically stunning if the rest of the gear is at least decent. Good looks, durable build.