Since my last CD player upload, I've acquired these three JVC CD players. It is stacked from the bottom to the top sonically according to yours truly. 😎
JVC XL-Z411
I bought this primarily for the coaxial digital output since the price was right.
Dutch Audio Classics listed the DAC chip as a Panasonic MASH MN6623BM, but this unit sports a MN6471M bitstream DAC chip. Early bitstream sound with no nasties but also more hash than music. Not my cup of tea. 😏
It’s a very nice CD transport though!
JVC XL-V75
If it's meant to be, it'll happen...I've been looking for this chip inside Fisher badged Sanyo CDPs only to land one in a JVC. Best of all, it only cost me a dollar!
If forced to split hairs, this CD player offers slightly better resolution and extension in the frequency extremes than the TDA1543 DAC'ed Magnavox CDB 492/CD2000 I reviewed here.
JVC XL-Z444
This unit shares the same Optima 4s transport as its bitstream chip'd brethren above. In case you're not a fan of the Burr-Brown family of multi-bit DAC chips, you can use it as a CD transport since it has digital coax output.
Not as warm and analog sounding to my ears than a TDA1541 equipped Magnavox/Philips or Sony but this Burr-Brown PCM56P chip'd player still gets the music right just like the older Shure SV40 I reviewed here. I will not argue with those who believe it's more extended at the frequency extremes. However, I'd argue back that the midrange of TDA1541 CDPs sound more life-like.
Have you had the chance to hear a 1010 or a 1050? I have owned a 1010 for over 20 yrs now and I love it. Very analog. Cheers mate, I love reading your stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words!
DeleteThe XL-Z1010 is considered a classic by Burr-Brown aficionados. They’re not easy to find nowadays.
I’m glad you have one. Enjoy! 👍🏻
Definitely keep an eye out for one, its a good sounding player.
DeleteThe MN6571M dac chip is one of the most natural and analog sounding dacs ever. The XL-Z411 is a gem of a player, I replaced my Resolution audio opus 21 with4 BB1704K dacs in favor for the XL-Z411. The hash you heard might be from expired capacitors.......Change the output capacitors to some warm poly film type and the player sounds awsome. I have a few 1541A players and dacs and they all sound clanky compared to the XL-Z411, I bought 4 of these players just to be sure I never run out.
ReplyDeleteEverything in this blog are merely reflections of my taste. Since listening pleasure supersedes that, I'm glad you're enjoying your CDs via XL-Z411!
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