Got my Original CD-A8T

organ · 05-17-2006, 01:42 PM

Here she is....

Build quality is solid. The remote alone weigh about 2 pounds. Made of pure metal. High quality internal parts. The blue glow on the side panel is super sexy.

I installed a pair of JJ 12AU7 tubes to replace the stock Electro Harmonix tubes. I've already broken in the JJ with approx 150hrs on my ASL pre.

steveinaz · 05-17-2006, 01:43 PM

Cool.

organ · 05-17-2006, 01:44 PM

Another pic...

I will post initial impression later on today. Gonna listen for at least a few hours first. Review will follow in a few weeks time.

faster100 · 05-17-2006, 02:18 PM

Looking good maurice... Real cool

Early B. · 05-17-2006, 02:55 PM

Very nice. Yep, good build quality. This baby's got a sweet TT.

(Not titanic tits, you perverts -- a torroidal transformer.)

schwarcw · 05-17-2006, 08:32 PM

Congratulations! It looks very nice! I'm interested to hear your musical review. If you don't mind me asking, what does a unit like this cost? Not neccesarily what you paid, just MSRP or market price for new?

Danny Tse · 05-18-2006, 02:00 AM

Looking forward to your review, organ. I am looking to buy my first up-scale CD player.

audiobliss · 05-18-2006, 09:34 AM

Wow, that looks great. I can't wait to hear you thoughts on its sound.

tonyb · 05-18-2006, 10:12 AM

Very,very nice! Also looking forward to a review.

organ · 05-18-2006, 12:38 PM

Ok, guys. I listened to this unit all day and night. I left it on overnight as well to help speed up the break-in process.

First impression.....

I am stunned! This felt like a major upgrade for my source. I'm not talking about subtle differences, but pretty much night and day compared to my NAD. The NAD is very flat, thin and sterile sounding compared to the Original. One thing that the CD-A8T does extremely well is dynamics and bass. With my NAD, it felt like there was some sort of restriction as to how loud the music can go. You know the music is still building up and should get louder but it won't. With the Original, the dynamic range is unbelievable. The bass hits hard and goes deeper. I actually had to turn down my PSW650 a little. The sound is so effortless and robust. The mid-range is superior as well. It has a very lifelike quality to it. And as to be expected from tubes, the sound is airy with excellent placement in the soundscape. It's very neutral with a touch of warmth. So I wouldn't exactly say it's on the warm side of neutral. I haven't tried the solid state output yet.

Things are looking very positive. I will post a review in a few weeks. I wonder if this unit still needs more time to break-in.

btw, if anyone have recommendations for the creamiest, rich and warm sounding 12AU7, please let me know. I want to see how far I can push this cdp for that euphonic tube sound. I remember the Mullard U7 having these traits but I sold those tubes a few years back.

Schwarcw,
The price is the most attractive thing about this piece. Believe it or not, it retails for $500USD(just like my NAD)!!! I still can't believe one could get this kind of build and sound quality for that price. I can guarantee that if this was some exotic American or European company, the price would be A LOT higher. Build quality is on par with equipments I've seen ranging from $1500 to over $2000. The pics really doesn't do it justice.

Original just got distributors in the US and Canada and it seems very limited. I found one US online store selling them and one Canadian.
I won mine in an auction on ebay for $420. BIN price was $498.

Maurice

schwarcw · 05-18-2006, 10:01 PM

Maurice, did you audition the original against a Jolida or an Ah! Tajoe. I'd be curious to hear your's or any Forum members impressions of the three. I'm leaning towards the Ah! for the upsampling feature. More money I know, but I was looking for feedback from folks who have done the audition.

audiobliss · 05-18-2006, 10:17 PM

Wow. Sounds like the Original really is a nice CDP. I can only imagine what it looks like in person, if the pics don't really begin to do it justice. Sounds like, if this can go head-to-head with the Jolida and Ah!, that this might soon become the tube CDP to own, considering the awesome price.

Vr3MxStyler2k3 · 05-18-2006, 10:45 PM

I thought you owned a backwards XBox for a minute.

Cool.

organ · 05-19-2006, 02:10 AM

Carl,
Since you started a new thread about the different cdp's, check your tube cdp thread. I'll post my answer there.

Bliss,
I swear man. I'm hooked! I could listen all day with no fatique. The NAD has been taken off the throne. There's just no comparison. My NAD is actually considered an excellent player from the reviews I've read on the net. The realism is so intense. You can actually hear the snare drum resonating. And I can't get over the killer dynamics.

Sid,
No way man! The only thing my XBox is good for is "Dance Dance Revolution"

.

F1nut · 05-19-2006, 02:21 AM

Coolness!

Vr3MxStyler2k3 · 05-19-2006, 06:37 AM

You gotta admit - the resemblance is uncanny.

Middle is black "glass/plastic" The side - right on yours - left on the box has 4 circles - the box has 4 controller ports

Just looks similar to me - especially before you zoom in... lol

But its an outstanding looking cdp - I wouldnt mind setting my ears on it! Enjoy!

05-17-2006, 01:42 PM	#1
organ Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Vaporizer Island Posts: 4,346	Got my Original CD-A8T Here she is.... Build quality is solid. The remote alone weigh about 2 pounds. Made of pure metal. High quality internal parts. The blue glow on the side panel is super sexy. I installed a pair of JJ 12AU7 tubes to replace the stock Electro Harmonix tubes. I've already broken in the JJ with approx 150hrs on my ASL pre. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Original CD-A8T Golden Tube Audio SEP-1 Pre (w/ extreme mods) Audio Zone Amp-D2 Edgarhorns "I would rather have a cup of tone than an ocean of power" Dr. Harvey Rosenberg Last edited by organ; 05-17-2006 at 01:49 PM..

05-17-2006, 01:44 PM	#3
organ Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Vaporizer Island Posts: 4,346	Another pic... I will post initial impression later on today. Gonna listen for at least a few hours first. Review will follow in a few weeks time. Attached Thumbnails

05-17-2006, 02:18 PM	#4
faster100 Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,114	Looking good maurice... Real cool __________________ MY HT RIG: Sherwood p-965 Rotel 1075 amp x5 Rotel 1080 stereo amp samsung hd-850 dvd player Realistic lab 450 TT LSI15 mains LsiC center LSIfx surround backs Lsi7 side surrounds Soon to be (later now) SVS sb/12plus 2 Channel Rig: Pioneer SS RC-760 pre-amp/remote control Polk Rt25i's Toshiba 3960 cd Optonica st-4205 Tuner Vintage 6v6 Tube amp modded Monster 14/4 homemade speaker cable monster 600 IC Signal cable IC

05-17-2006, 08:32 PM	#6
schwarcw Member Sales Rating: (16) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Six 'Burgh (Pittsburgh), PA Posts: 5,296	Congratulations! It looks very nice! I'm interested to hear your musical review. If you don't mind me asking, what does a unit like this cost? Not neccesarily what you paid, just MSRP or market price for new? __________________ Carl

05-18-2006, 02:00 AM	#7
Danny Tse Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Castro Valley/San Francisco, California Posts: 3,756	Looking forward to your review, organ. I am looking to buy my first up-scale CD player. __________________ Some of my SACDs (updated 7/13/2010 with more Sting and the Wallflowers)

05-17-2006, 01:43 PM	#2
steveinaz Member Sales Rating: (6) Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 10,630	Cool.

05-17-2006, 02:55 PM	#5
Early B. Member Sales Rating: (19) Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 8,172	Very nice. Yep, good build quality. This baby's got a sweet TT. (Not titanic tits, you perverts -- a torroidal transformer.)

05-18-2006, 10:12 AM	#9
tonyb Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: chicago Posts: 4,507	Very,very nice! Also looking forward to a review. __________________ legacy Focus 20/20 Butler tdb 2250 B&K AVR 307 Pioneer 59AVI Pioneer BDP 320 50 in. Pioneer Kuro pdp 5010 Sharper Image Massage chair [HEAVEN] FX 500 surround Reality cables Mac Soundpipes

05-18-2006, 12:38 PM	#10
organ Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Vaporizer Island Posts: 4,346	Ok, guys. I listened to this unit all day and night. I left it on overnight as well to help speed up the break-in process. First impression..... I am stunned! This felt like a major upgrade for my source. I'm not talking about subtle differences, but pretty much night and day compared to my NAD. The NAD is very flat, thin and sterile sounding compared to the Original. One thing that the CD-A8T does extremely well is dynamics and bass. With my NAD, it felt like there was some sort of restriction as to how loud the music can go. You know the music is still building up and should get louder but it won't. With the Original, the dynamic range is unbelievable. The bass hits hard and goes deeper. I actually had to turn down my PSW650 a little. The sound is so effortless and robust. The mid-range is superior as well. It has a very lifelike quality to it. And as to be expected from tubes, the sound is airy with excellent placement in the soundscape. It's very neutral with a touch of warmth. So I wouldn't exactly say it's on the warm side of neutral. I haven't tried the solid state output yet. Things are looking very positive. I will post a review in a few weeks. I wonder if this unit still needs more time to break-in. btw, if anyone have recommendations for the creamiest, rich and warm sounding 12AU7, please let me know. I want to see how far I can push this cdp for that euphonic tube sound. I remember the Mullard U7 having these traits but I sold those tubes a few years back. Schwarcw, The price is the most attractive thing about this piece. Believe it or not, it retails for $500USD(just like my NAD)!!! I still can't believe one could get this kind of build and sound quality for that price. I can guarantee that if this was some exotic American or European company, the price would be A LOT higher. Build quality is on par with equipments I've seen ranging from $1500 to over $2000. The pics really doesn't do it justice. Original just got distributors in the US and Canada and it seems very limited. I found one US online store selling them and one Canadian. I won mine in an auction on ebay for $420. BIN price was $498. Maurice

05-18-2006, 10:01 PM	#11
schwarcw Member Sales Rating: (16) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Six 'Burgh (Pittsburgh), PA Posts: 5,296	Maurice, did you audition the original against a Jolida or an Ah! Tajoe. I'd be curious to hear your's or any Forum members impressions of the three. I'm leaning towards the Ah! for the upsampling feature. More money I know, but I was looking for feedback from folks who have done the audition. Last edited by schwarcw; 05-18-2006 at 11:34 PM..

05-18-2006, 10:17 PM	#12
audiobliss Member Sales Rating: (6) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: American by birth, Southern by the grace of God! (NC) Posts: 12,482	Wow. Sounds like the Original really is a nice CDP. I can only imagine what it looks like in person, if the pics don't really begin to do it justice. Sounds like, if this can go head-to-head with the Jolida and Ah!, that this might soon become the tube CDP to own, considering the awesome price.

05-18-2006, 10:45 PM	#13
Vr3MxStyler2k3 Member Sales Rating: (25) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NC Posts: 16,084	I thought you owned a backwards XBox for a minute. Cool.

05-19-2006, 02:10 AM	#14
organ Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Vaporizer Island Posts: 4,346	Carl, Since you started a new thread about the different cdp's, check your tube cdp thread. I'll post my answer there. Bliss, I swear man. I'm hooked! I could listen all day with no fatique. The NAD has been taken off the throne. There's just no comparison. My NAD is actually considered an excellent player from the reviews I've read on the net. The realism is so intense. You can actually hear the snare drum resonating. And I can't get over the killer dynamics. Sid, No way man! The only thing my XBox is good for is "Dance Dance Revolution". Last edited by organ; 05-19-2006 at 02:28 AM..

05-19-2006, 02:21 AM	#15
F1nut Member Sales Rating: (13) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Mars Hotel Posts: 20,847	Coolness! __________________ 'Political Correctness'.........defined "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

05-19-2006, 06:37 AM	#16
Vr3MxStyler2k3 Member Sales Rating: (25) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NC Posts: 16,084	You gotta admit - the resemblance is uncanny. Middle is black "glass/plastic" The side - right on yours - left on the box has 4 circles - the box has 4 controller ports Just looks similar to me - especially before you zoom in... lol But its an outstanding looking cdp - I wouldnt mind setting my ears on it! Enjoy!

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