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Review 2 of 15
Price Paid:
$80.00
from used Summary:
Up until purchasing this unit on a whim, I was convinced that the important components to emphasize in a modest audiophile system were speakers (my maggies) and a stable adequate amp that had adequate amperage to work effortlessly with the speakers. CD players and DVD players I thought were more or less equivalent. Since the 80's I liked Nakamichi the sound of Nakamichi tape decks and their stong entry audiophile receivers. Like most people I think I have listened more and more to CD music (and my old Nak decks have rested more and more). I just never worried too much about that component. An opportunity came up to by an old MB-2 for $80 and I figured "why not, maybe it will work with my old TA-3A remote!" I have owned Sony, JVC, AKAI, Pioneer and other players and never really noticed much difference between them. In fact, the main difference seemed to be what disks they skipped on and didn't read well. I swapped it for my new JVC thinking I'd move that to my son's basement system, and WOW! The sound was so very different. It was clear, and the mids seems effortless and, well, more real. I put on a variety of music from female vocal Celtic stuff to Apocalyptica (cellos playing Metallica). The sound was all more round and less tinny without being at all muddy. It's like listening to fresh new recordings. I am still going through my music and listening all over again to all those recordings I thought I knew so well, and have put countless hours in listening over the last month. The last time I had to do this was when I switched my speakers to the Maggies.
The display took a bit getting used to. Not a lot of details and very basic display and controls. However over the month I have come to appreciate the uncluttered display. It lists the disk playing, the remaining tracks on the disk, and time in the current track.
Oh, about those unreadable skipping disks, it has played everything I have given it flawlessly, including various CD-Rs. The MusicBank system changes the disks quietly, quickly and efficiently.
Oh, and the variable output level control for headphones and for connecting to the pre-amp is just an added bonus. My only problem with the unit is that now I think I'll have to upgrade this part of my home theater and secondary system. Strengths:
Musicality, simplicity, plays everything I've tried. Weaknesses:
Unusual display, some limit to control options, but then Similar Products Used:
Sony, Akai, Pioneer, JVC etc.
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5 of 5
