Moe, Larry & Curly


I have often wrote about the differences between Cd players. I make such incredulous statements like, "The differences between CD players is greater than the differences between cartridges" So what I am saying is that the differences between a Lyra and, say a Dynavector diamond is smaller than the difference between an NAD and Rotel.

And such is the differences between three high end CD players: the MHZS CD 88, The Shanling CD 300/3000 and the Doge 6. (Moe, Larry and Curly et. al)

Take Moe, the MHZS CD 88. Fitted with Tung Sol tubes or GE 5751 black plates + the obscure OB2 tube (Sovtek) swapped for the even more reclusive WY2 tube is a player that it is the most articulate. Take a voice like Elvis Costello's where you can here the crisp vocals that almost sound a little "etchy". This CD player, can be very delicate yet at times, very detailed int he mid range and rips every last bit of detail from the disk. Note that I did not call the MHZS CD 88 "Edgy" I called it "Etchy" where you are drawn into the subtleties and details of the canvas. I kind of like this sound.

Then there is Larry, the Shanling CD 300/3000 or just add them together for the 3300. Fitted with JJ Tesla 6922s, the Shanling is the smoothest of the the three and comes across rich, lush and musical. Here Elvis Costello sounds like he just had some nice hot tea and lemon and the "etchy" part of his voice was missed. The Shanling paints a smooth water color canvas with a broad stroke and places you in the center of the concert hall where the music blends together nicely. Classical, quartets and bar room jazz are great with the Shanling.

And now for Curly, the Doge 6. The Doge 6 clowns around with the music and reveals things to you that are there that you thought were not there. The MHZS CD 88 and the Shanling are CD players, but the Doge 6 is the master tape - it reveals something quite different and that's why nothing else sounds like it.

Sorry it took so long for this post. I experienced a loss of a loved one and I was out of pocket for a while. Now I am plugged in.

Next time we will take a look at some low cost CD players: MHZS CD 33, the BADA PH-12 and the Shanling T80.