Three Blind Mice

Two blogs ago, I decided to review the top end CD players: the MHZS CD 88, the Shanling CD 300 (or for an extra $5o0 you can have an extra zero for a CD 3000) and the Doge 6. Today its the MHZS CD 33, BADA HD22 and the Shanling T-80.

Taking a blind test on these is like having someone blind fold you, then taking you on a plane, train or automobile and asking, "which one are you in?" They are all different - completely different- and reviewing them was an interesting endeavor.

Take the MHZS CD 33. The 33 uses the same chip as the 66 and 88 but a different transport and output buffer topology. We replaced the stock Chinese 6N3 tubes with GE 5670s. The MHZS 33 is, I now declare, the best value in CD player history. It has the sonic characteristics of the Shanling CD 300 (or, if you want an extra zero and have $500 to spare - CD 3000) and the life like presentation of its older siblings. Complex dynamic passages lose their edge, pianos sound life-like and vocals are precise. It does not however, have the last word in detail. So the MHZS places you about 15 rows back in the orchestra hall where the congeal of the orchestra, no matter how complex, makes it way over to your ears.

Witness the Bada HD-22. The HD 22 is the boldest of the group. It has the dynamics of the Doge 6 and the detail of the MHZS CD 88. Its dynamic presentation and un-veiled push is fun to listen to. With complex jazz and rock the player places itself in first place as it pumps bass and drives a frontal presentation of the midrange. While the BADA HD-22 is the most fun, its boldness is not always easy to listen to. As a side effect - small quartets and small jazz ensembles come through with uncanny realism and life like performance. As a matter of fact, if this is what I listened to all the time I would own the Bada, no question.

Then there is the Shanling T-80. The T-80 want to be a solid state CD player. It really does. It is dead neutral across the entire spectrum and has uncanny detail for a CD player in the $500 price range. (P.S. I have not found one with an extra zero, so for those of you who insist on spending the extra $500, you may have to wait for the Shanling t-800). The bass is firm and does not have the ripeness of the 33 nor the push of HD-22. If you listen to music that is across the spectrum, the the T-80 is the one for you. Replace the 6N3 tubes and it becomes even more neutral while gently imparting a high gloss over the upper midrange and a slight emphasis in the lower midrange.

So let me some it up with James Taylor, Janis Ian and the latest release from the Jone's Street Boys:

• For the MHZS the line up (James, Taylor, Janis Ian and the Jones Street Boys) were in a small cozy night club with a nice set of tube amps,
• For the Bada - they were at Ravinia Park (an outside theater) and I had a front seat, and
  
• For the Shanling T-80 (or for $500 we will add the extra zero - T-800), you were in the studio with these cats.

All the best,
Vic