24 replies to this topic

[SimpleHunk]

Hello to everyone it is so encouraging to see CAA has improved so much.
( I used my previous log in name they said i m a "inactive user" ... )

I have a Nak CD700 and I m considering to get a Clarion HX-D1. Has anyone came accross or own a D1? Does the HDCD chip really that outstanding ? How does that HU sound? Is it really a lot better than 9255?

Thanks for any input.

Adrian

[gooki]

HDCD won't do jack unless your cd's feature a HDCD recording.

If the choice was between the CD700 and HXd2 then I'd consider it an upgrade. If it's between teh HXD1 and the CD700 i would only upgrade if the added features were of direct benefit to your system.

[sliksilvia]

i saw the new clarion HX-D2 damn they are one slick n sexy unit ... photo's just cant do these HU's justice!

[blue_6006]

what gooki said!

HDCD makes quite a difference when reading HDCD encoded discs. Otherwise they sound like a standard CD.

There are not a whole heap of HDCD discs oout there which is a pity as HDCD discs tend to sound a tad better even when not played in a HDCD compatible cd player.

I have not listened to the clarion deck but I have listened to the Naka and I like it.

[SimpleHunk]

Hello and thanks for everyone's input.

I have a lot of HDCD, that is why i consider the D1.

D2 does look sexy, but dont justify the price. I have seen the real thing today, feel it, touch it, very nice indeed. Yet the SQ is somewhat not live to the die hard audiophile standard, plus D2 do not have the HDCD chip in it.

If you check clarion.co.jp strangely enough D1 is more expensive D2, but i check the price with the dealer D2 is way more expensive ( may be after a period after coming out the price of D1 dropped). D2 has a lot of electronic feature, 5.1, DVD, etc etc .... I dont need those feature coz I only listen to music, so D2 to me is like many things packed into one machine but the edge is not there.

If gooki & blue agree that HDCD player play HDCD CD will yield a much better result .... then i m willing to let my cd-700 have a rest and test something new.

Thanks guys and more input always welcomed.

[gooki]

Just for reference the McIntosh MX5000/MDA5000 features a HDCD External Dac as well, but is probably out of your price range. Not sure if the Denon flag ship models does HDCD but I'd be surprised if it didn't.

You 100% sure the HXD2 doesn't do HDCD?

If you don't like the sound of HXD2 then i doubt you'll like the sound of the D1 as the D2 has been reported as having better SQ charactiscs than the D1.

[blue_6006]

HDCD IMO tends to sound more detailed and crisp.
HDCD's are recorded in DDD so that makes them cleaner still.

It would be nice if every CD was HDCD but they probably do not want to pay the royalties.
I am not sure if they have SACD or DVDA for cars yet, at the same time, I cannot say that I can see much point in SACD because I am a die hard person who believed that true audio comes from two speakers, not 5.
Is there surround sound when you go to a concert? No. So why should there be when you are listening to the CD?

DVDA has more potential than SACD but IMO HDCD would be the best option. You get the higher quality audio, the discs do not usually cost more, the technology is cheaper to build into CD players and we are not taking away the true audio listening experience.

[gooki]

And HDCD allows for digital out and is backwards compatible with regular CD players. From memory there is not a single SACD or DVDA palyer what will allow you to output the digital signal.

[SimpleHunk]

Thanks again for so many valuable input.

This is the guts of a HX-D2, or DRZ-9255 you might call it.



AM/FM CD PLAYER/BUILT-IN TIME ALIGNMENT/ PARAMETRIC EQ/4-WAY CROSSOVERS

• Dual 24-Bit/96kHz Sampling DACs and DSP
• Burr-Brown DACs
• Plays CD-R and CD-RWs
• Built-In 4-Way Crossovers (Subwoofer/Low/Mid/High)
• 5-Band Parametric Equalizer
• Digital Time Alignment for Each Line Level Output
• 4V/8-Channel Gold-Plated Line Level Outputs (for SW/L/M/H or Front 2-Way/Rear/SW) With OFC Cables
• Copper-Plated Chassis
• DC /DC Converter
• CeNET Control of Optional TV Tuner, DVD Changer and 6-Disc CD Changer
• Multi-Changer Control
• Two 2-Channel Aux. Inputs Fiber Optic Input/Output
• Vacuum Florescent Display
• IR Remote Control
• Line Level Output Only (Requires External Amplifier)
• Radio Tuner With 18FM/6AM Presets
• Ultra Precise Rotary Volume
• Control Zinc Die-Cast Faceplate

AND HDCD decorder chip is out of the list. I agree that it will play HDCD, but not decoding the HDCD way .... The selling point of D2 is the 96kHz Sampling DACs, as compared to other 44.1kHz. I have very few 96kHz CD, eg Focal test CD, so i cannot do a accurate comparison. Yet for HDCD, I can hear the difference even with my Nak CD-45z, sound is more accurate, stage is much wider.

Looking at the specs, it looks to me ( or just me only ) that D2 is more of a multi tasking machine than a pure CD player. Time aligment? EQ? It has a lot of things to tune, yes, but where is the natural sound?

Blue - thanks for sharing. SACD? I dont need 5.1 or a theatre in my car thanks .... hheee .... :hehe: I totally agree with you Blue :!: My friend got a set of BOSE system at home 5.1 - it is strong, powerful, clean and clear, but never beats my amp tube with a pair of Dynaudio in terms of the warm and detail sound.

Gooki - thanks for your input. Clarion actually make Mcintosh Amp and HU since long time ago. MX5000 is virtually a D1, they are released later than D1 because they want to perfect it 1st. I bet there will be a Mcintosh version of D2 in future. Why pay 2 times more only for the facial given that inside is exactly the same?

I would love to own a Denon, like the sound monitor CDT-450x, but i cannot find it. :? I would love to own a 9255 too, but it is so hard to get a good 2nd hand one. I have listened to my friend's one in Melb in a Prelude. He use 9255 with PG ZX amp plus A/D/S 346si spilts, PPI Pro sub. Accurate, clean, detailed, spot on.

Thank for reading and I would love to hear more sharing.

[blue_6006]

Me thinks you are right,

Which is good for the company making th CD cos it is harder to copy, but bad for poeple who may want to use an external DAC.

[SimpleHunk]

You are quick Blue ... :!:

I would like to seek your opinion about your PPI Arts amp, how do you think of them?

I have a old dark PPI Powerclass 450 love it to bits ....

Thank for your time and valuable input.

[gooki]

Yes Clarion make McIntosh headunits but their non OEM amps are still made by Mcintosh in the USA (well their old amps were).

You will also find differences between the HXD1 and the MX5000.

If you want a Dennon without the price tag you could always get the Caliber model. No HDCD, SACD or DVDA but it does a very good job of playing normal CDs, with the added benefit of DVD video and AC3 decoding and digital out if you with to use an external DAC/Digital Processor.

http://www.eaudio.co.nz/avtv835.htm

For reference my experience with the HXD1 wasn't a pleasant one - but thats most liekly because of the car/install it was in. Serriously if you have the CD700 why change? I have the MX4000 Limited and wouldn't swap it for the world.

[SimpleHunk]

Thanks Gooki

Er ... changing ... coz the HDCD chip looks really appealing to me. I might be wrong, but ... we always look for more isnt it? :roll: We never know what is the best until we got worse off. Painful, but so real ...

Thanks for sharing that your experience with D1 was not a enjoyable one, can you be a bit more specify or talk more about it ? what is not good? It is always good to learn from someone so knowledgable like you and Blue.

Oh you have the MX4000 .... envy you!! I would love to have one too. I have a Old blue color Mcintosh amp 4 * 100 and one MC420 i think 4 * 50 all at the back have a label "made in USA". Agree that old amps were made by Mc themselves but new ones with MORE glass and the not blue colors ones I doubt.

I also got a Nakamichi PA-2004 recently, yet to try it out.

The Denon you recommend is AWESOME, but i cannot find it here, sadly, if to get it your country, NZ i presume, how much would that be? I do agree that Denon is the ultimate one to own, we talk so much about 9255, to the end .... it has a Denon Alpha processor inside if i am not wrong.

Can I also ask you there are other model of Mcintosh HU, eg those 2 Din ones, are they any good?

Thanks for your honest opinion, really appreciate.

[raziel]

maybe it was just my ears playing tricks on me but when i installed my new hxd-2 ( I literally just removed the old drx-9255 and then installed the hxd-2 - no other changes were made) I did notice a great difference in sound quality (just using standard cd's) and I hadn't even touched the time alignment or parametric eq

definately worth every cent it cost

[SimpleHunk]

THanks for sharing Raziel ....

Let's start starving and SAVING ..... he he he :hehe: