Digital Drive: REVIEW: Cambridge Audio S700 DAC Processors by DISNEYGIRLS

Model:	S700
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$CHEAP
Description:	HDCD dac and iso platform
Manufacturer URL:	Cambridge Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Cambridge Audio

Review by DISNEYGIRLS ( A ) on February 18, 2002 at 14:35:30
IP Address: 195.93.34.173

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for the S700

I must admit this is the first time i have bought a peice of equipment without some serious auditioning.OK i deserve a slap.
I do have my reasons though,the main one being hdcd.Its such a pity that this coding system has been overshadowed by others as it showed such promise.the HDCD recordings that i own had been purchased because of their musical merit i must add, not just cause it said hdcd on the front.Right .....on with my review this device takes bleedin ages to break in,and when it has, doesnt stir the soul . I got the feeling that had i been in a bedsit with the speakers two metres away it would have worked.This was because the treble and bass roll off far too early to sound natural and sound stage was just not happening at all.As i said a small room with bright speakers might overcome this but who is going to move house for a dac! Sorry Cambridge but this one just dont work. It does have its plus sides though as an isolation platform it works pretty damned well , its improved my sony dvd player and it doesnt have to be plugged in to do that.Oh and you know all those recordings you have that make you sit up and think bugger thats good , well you will be surprised at how many of them are coded hdcd without anything written on the sleeve

Product Weakness: smooth (too smooth), lack of detail,ambience,soundstage and imaging,treble and bass.
Product Strengths: smooth (too smooth), potential for diy tweaks (advice please),works as a platform(and is cheap for that as their are so many overpriced platfoms about),tells you what you already know.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	nva,sony,hk
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	passive
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	sonydvp725d(exellent@£)various transports.
Speakers:	eltax monitor 3(buy some and tweak),sonus faber minima amators(buy some)
Cables/Interconnects:	various, mainly home made
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	abba to zappa
Room Size (LxWxH):	17ft x 12-14ft x 8,6ft
Room Comments/Treatments:	great fun play about
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month, still trying
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	rfi ferrites(cheap)
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	smooth (too smooth), lack of detail,ambience,soundstage and imaging,treble and bass.
Product Strengths:	smooth (too smooth), potential for diy tweaks (advice please),works as a platform(and is cheap for that as their are so many overpriced platfoms about),tells you what you already know.