Summary: Its a stunning amp if you want to hear whats on the recording and very little else. The CSA28 is not going to add much, nor is it going to take much away. If you want to hear the vocal quality, the instrument tone, the ambience of the recording room and microphones, this amp will deliver it through the right speakers. If the recording is poor, or the production has been unbalanced, the amp will do nothing to warm it back up. I went to listening rooms in 2001 and listened to many products to replace the hifi I used to have as a student. That first hifi had a Rega Planar 2 turntable, Lux solid state amp and Tangent TM1 speakers. It rocked, sucked you in, and sung sweetly ! I had listened to many CD systems, and they had a certain clarity, but often sounded brittle, dry or clinical. A few products seemed to resolve some of these problems, Marantz CD players, Arcam and Naim amps, B&W speakers, or the amazing Elac 310 speakers. After a lot of listening I decided that I liked the clarity in the mid tone of B&W CDM1-SEs, but they still sounded a bit dry with the Arcam and Naim amps. Enter the Copland - after a few hours in a listening room I complained to the salesman that the music still sounded fragmented, unintegrated and a little lifeless. Ah he laughed - why didnt you say so - I thought you came in here to buy hifi, but actually you want music. Away went the Arcams out came the Copland and suddenly the sound is sweet and smooth and clear and one piece. Swap the standard CD player for a Micromega T-Drive and T-DAC. And finally add some Transparent cables. Dont forget the last step - the change is remarkable. The speaker cabinets disappear and the recording is left hanging in the air. Thats the magic of the Copland. I cant tell you precisely what the frequency stuff is, I dont have enough experience to compare. It sometimes sounds a little thin and over polite at the very top end, but sometimes it doesnt. The bass and slam are stunning, the mid range is breathtaking, also guitar and percussion. Brass and strings sometimes sound a little nice, but it depends a lot on how they are recorded, and I suspect the effect is mostly in the B&Ws not the Copland. Some rock bands with simplified sounds simply dont work well with the clarity of this system, REM is a particular example. But any music that is rich in tone, dynamic, texture, etc from Faure to Floyd will come flying out the speakers and move your heart - which is what I am looking for in a system. Worth every penny.
£1100 in 2001.
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Summary: I patially agree whith alan9:
Csa28 is a fine integrated amp (for the money), but not a definitive one. It's strenghts lies in clear and open midrange and detailed, but not over agressive treble. Slight dissapointment could be a bit lean and weak bass region, limited dynamics and not as firm, detailed and deep soundstage, as it could be (regarding price). A bit of middle-of-the-road performer, who won't offend anyone, but on the other side, won't pump your adrenaline either.
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Summary: after listening meridian 507 cyrus cd8 and arcam cd 33 I say it is the best in everthing.
I've read reviews about this copland cda 822 and it is all true!My systeem is bw 804 speakers and copland cda 822 cd player and a arcam a85 integrated will be soon change that for something with heavy power about 200watts!
the copland is something very special go and listen for your self
Strengths: everthing, sound, build, looks, and very heavy 10kg
after 4 hours listening it stays very cool.
Weaknesses: must play in for two weeks
Similar Products Used: cyrus cd 8 very bright, meridian 507 very normal player, arcam it s ok.
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Summary: Csa28 is a fine integrated amp (for the money), but not a definitive one. It's strenghts lies in clear and open midrange and detailed, but not over agressive treble. Slight dissapointment could be a bit lean and weak bass region, limited dynamics and not as firm, detailed and deep soundstage, as it could be (regarding price). A bit of middle-of-the-road performer, who won't offend anyone, but on the other side, won't pump your adrenaline either. Maybe to polite for some (my) tastes.
Strengths: Open treble, fine midrange.
Weaknesses: Lean, not detailed bass, limited dynamics, maybe to polite.
Similar Products Used: Musical Fidelity A300
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Summary: Amazing integrated amp !!!
I can't talk enough about this gem.
What made me choose this amp over others was it's mid range which is warm and so natural.
Very accurate, it will sound the way your source sound - very transparent !
Strengths: Mid range !
Price !
The ability to switch btween sources bypassing the remote control delivers better sound.
Weaknesses: No pre outs ...:(
Similar Products Used: Quad, Primare, FMJ 32, Arcam A85, Classe, Morgan audio
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5 of 5
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