Music Hall CD 25 HDCD/CD player: Thumbs Up!!!!!

Well, I've just completed my A/B test today with the Music Hall CD 25 and the NAD C541i cd player. The result is that the Music Hall absolutely shattered the NAD, no contest. All of the reviews are true!! The CD 25 is inf_ckingcredible! This is the first time in a long while that I've actually been BLOWN AWAY by a component. The CD 25 produces exquisite detail, but without the slightest trace of harshness. This baby sounds as good or better than every cd player under $2000 that I've ever heard. In fact, at times during my listening session, it was hard for me to believe I was actually listening to a cd player rather than the finest in analog reproduction. The Music Hall also reminds me very much of the sound of an expensive tube cd player. The sound is like fine silk and is very warm and incredibly smooth, but without coming off as colored or squashed in any way. Huge soundstage, excellent bass, what more can I say? I am thrilled! The NAD was brittle, tinny, and lifeless in comparison, if you can believe that! The Music Hall also tracked some cdrs that either froze up or skipped on the NAD. What is all the more amazing about the CD 25 is it's $600 list price. Good gawd, what a friggin' bargain! Seriously, folks, if you are looking for a fantastic cd player at any price, go and get one of these NOW. I can't wait for my Grovers to arrive!!!

 

Let's see........I listened to many things........Jolida, Adcom, Rega, Rotel, Creek, Arcam, Philips, Cary, Ah! Njoe Tjoeb(did I spell that right?), Cambridge, Roksan, to name a few. According to my ears, the Music Hall beat them all. I was slightly leaning toward an less expensive player, not wanting to put a lot of money into something when there will probably be fantastic universal players in a couple of years. Seriously, though, regardless of price, this thing is a diamond. Like I said, it blew me away. It's sickening how good this player is.

 

I felt it was my duty. The CD 25 is an impressive player and I wanted to hip my fellow forum members to the goods.

 

More likely in a few years there will be a lot of mediocre universal players out there, with a few fantastic ones among the crowds. Bit like the CD market several years back - every man and his dog (and the dog's fleas) making players. But only a few that could be called fantastic.

Congrats on your purchase. Music Hall is a US-only brand, so I'll never see or hear it down here in New Zealand.

 

Not entirely true as they are available to us here in Canada from some retailers.

Perhaps, your employer could arrange a purchase for comparative purposes?

 

Question:

Ca one get the same kind of Cd playback performace as the Cd25 in a SACD/DVD-A universal player? If so, which?

 

In my opinion and from what I've listened to, the answer is no. You will loose the HDCD also with a universal player, but that's not really a big deal.

 

I agree that losing HDCD is not really a big deal at all as you can still play HDCD discs on a standard CD player although you will not have the increased resolution but the music is the most important thing after all. The #1 rule is to buy the formats you will use the most and that I have done already.

 

I am my employer. After extensive consultations with myself, I've concluded that asking myself to buy a CD player from the US that runs on the wrong voltage, wouldn't be as good as my Meridian anyhow and would be of no use for my hi-fi magazine, isn't such a smart move. Of course, I'm willing to arrange further extensive and intensive consultations with myself on this matter, just as soon as I have the need to be re-caffinated at my local coffee shop.

 

Sorry, didn't realize that you were on different voltage.

Well...after the boss is caffeinated try sliding it into conversation with him.

 

Not to mention the fact that south of the equator, CDs rotate counter-clockwise.

 

Gary,

In New Zealand and Australia, the CD player spins the CD in the opposite direction because fighting the Coriolis effect south of the equator would place too much strain on the spindle motor. So they wire the the DAC out-of-phase, install it upside-down, and reverse the left and right channels as well as the in- and outputs. Similar modifications are made to all audio equipment shipped to New Zealand, Peru, or Antarctic penguin safaris.

With these modifications, Kiwis and Aussies hear the same music we do, without being exposed directly to the unmasked satanic messages, drug solicitations, and suicide instructions contained on every commercially-manufactured CD.

And, should any forum members find themselves transferred to Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere else south of the equator, I can perform the same sub-equatorial modifications to your equipment before you move. All you'll need to worry about is purchasing current converters when you get there!

Why wait weeks or even months for your precious system to be Coriolis-ready -- and pay the local shopkeeps in those confusing foreign currencies -- when you can have your equipment shipped to whatever sheep farm your company just purchased already Southern Hemisphere compatible?

All you pay is freight to and from my workshop, and a check in easy-to-use American dollars for an amount determined by your system needs (more expensive equipment usually requires more work on my end). And you'll be amazed how quickly I can turn around your equipment. You'll wonder if I touched it at all!

Of course, I can provide the same service in reverse for folks moving north of the equator as well, although I'll still need American dollars. Really, no colorful bills or coins with holes in them. PM me so we can discuss your needs.

 

This makes it much easier to hear the backward messages in the White Album. I can confirm that Paul is dead

 

I read your review, prix, but I somehow missed its $600 list price as you'd mentioned.

I just read some other reviews for this player too...I can't see me not buying one now.

I've already filled 4 megachangers with CDs, so a single player looks like my only feasible option now. Might as well get a good one, too.

Thanks for bringing this one to my attention.