Upgrades That Count

[Mark Edward Ritchie]

Having just upgraded my CD3 to a CDX unit after more than 10 years of sterling service from the CD3, a thought came to mind on listening today after a couple of days allowing the CDX to settle in.

I wrote to James & Henry once again thanking them for the sterling service and advice as always, but in my e-mail I noted to them that on comparing the CD3 to the CDX, was not as some say "night and day" or "like listening to the disc etc for the first time". This is not a negative comment but I instantly found that there were more musical clues available within the piece playing.

What I mean is that all the lyrics were the same, the basic structure of the song etc was there but the performance was brought further to light by the presentation of what before were sometimes un-connected sounds in the performance.

I have found over the last few days that I have raided my CD collection for CD material that I have thought were overblown or messy productions and guess what! it makes more sense now!

I run a pair of 1988 Linn Isobariks in passive mode with the external crossovers and these "devils children" were always critical of drive sources and material... and a lot of enthusiasts out there... hate them!

With the CDX/102/napsc/HiCap/200 combination they have come alive but in the terms that I have described above... and that really is what all it is about... the performance and whether it grabs your soul!