Image, soundstage, fullness

transformer hum

Initially I just wanted to get a new NAD CD player to upgrade from my 8-yr-old Yamaha one (then . As usual my wife points to something much more expensive for comparison...then I realize how music can really sound! I listened to the Arcam 8SE at home but after a day found that the transformer was really buzzing very loud (could hear it standing from another corner of the room when I wasn't even playing!). I returned it, but enchanted by the warm, rich sound. I could not bear to listen to my old system anymore. After reading all the reviews on this column I tripled my budget for the CD92. I had compare the CD72 with the 8SE and found the latter much fuller and "present", and more so with HDCDs.

I went to another retailer and met the most reluctant sales person (actually store owner) who didn't seem to care whether I wanted the CD92. I did compare it with Rotel CD 971 at the store but the CD92 is much warmer and richer...Well, for twice the price, you really can hear more!

The CD92 took the first full day of playing to warm up, and then really started singing after about 40 hours of playing (that was the first week). Excellent bass, soundstage, image, etc, whether normal CDs or HDCDs. I now have little desire for the TV, because I can often "see" where the instruments are coming from. However, as pointed out by What Hi Fi magazine's review (Oct or Nov 2001), it tends to be on the bright side but hey, that's what you get when you have a "high resolution proprietary multi-bit current output...24-bit digital Conversion System Ring DAC"!! You expect everything recorded (pressed?) on the CD will be converted and amplified!!

The only regrettable, unwanted feature is the hum from the transformer. The Arcam handbook actually explains its necessity...which seems a bit inconsistent with everything else Arcam says about its products. I just cannot understand why they can't fix this problem without charging an extra $1000 (Canadian) for the FMJ CD23, which presumably has better housing/damping of this transformer problem. For this enigma I have to give a 4/5 rating; otherwise this is a 5/5 CD player. I can actually hear the hum through the speakers when I turn my amp way up (nothing playing of course), but then it may be my amp rather than the player. Will see if it's still a problem after I upgrade the amp.

For this price range, the one CD player I know about but regrettably did not audition is the Musical Fidelity A3 (I hope that's the right model), also 24-bit but none of this Ring DAC/HDCD mumble jumble.

My more friendly Arcam retailer told me the Alpha 8SE was sent back and a new transformer was installed...no problem!

If you're a novice audiophile like me, don't read too many reviews...and I can't believe What Hi Fi gave the CD72 5 stars, but the CD92 only 4! Find a good retailer and have a good listen to different machines for yourself. DO ask them how long a machine's been playing in that store.

My evolving components (clearly something is wrong when my cables are more expensive than my amp!)...

Yamaha Integrated amp (AX490)
Transparent MusicLink Plus interconnects (1 meter)
AudioQuest Bedrock bi-wire speaker cables (8 feet each)
B&W DM602 S2

Similar Products Used:

none

This is a very good CD player for the price, but, for the same price, the California Audio Labs CL-15 is a much better player. The CAL is much more dynamic, with better articulation and clarity and much better bass response. It is quite simply a much more musical CD player, much more involving than the Arcam. If you're looking for CD players in the $1500 to $2000 price range, give the CAL a listen.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam Alpha 9, Rotel RCD 991, CAL CL-15, Classe CDP .3

Resolution, smooth upper frequency response, detailed and fast mids, deep/tight bass, gives air to most recordings

None. Best CD player under $3,000. End of story.

Not much else to add to other reviews except to say that this player competes with all the BIG names out there. I was ready to spend twice as much as this player cost me. This player is incredible, I urge you to listen for yourself. The CD92 is a true audiophile cd player in a single box without the BULL S..T price tag. Good for you Arcam, you put some value back into this extremely overpriced market. More money does not equal more performance. I am sick and tired of all these dealers out there who go on and on about the superior sonic performance of all these big ticketed Cd players and so on. There comes a point when you hit hte point of diminishing returns. For under $3,000 this is it for CD players. Dont believe all this crazy marketing out there. The sound is what matters, NOT THE PRICE! Most audio dealers are destroying our hobby. Not to mention the elitest attitudes of some of the dealers here in NY. Sorry for the downer, but I feel better.

Similar Products Used:

Sony ES, Meridian, Classe and Sonic Frontiers

Natural, musical yet detailed sound, elegant design

none

This an absolutely wonderful CD player. The best measure of this is how it makes you want to listen to CD after CD, amazed at how beautiful everything sounds. Old cd's are renewed. From Joni Mitchell to Massive Attack to Andreas Scholl - everything sounds remarkable.

This model is an updated Alpha 9 - it has a redesigned faceplate and chassis (dampened), apparantly bringing its performance much closer to the FMJ-CD23.

It throws an amazing soundstage, wide and deep behind the speakers, while the presence in the room is very full. Music blooms. You have accuracy and detail without caricature. Great bass response too.

You must audition this player at home. I listened to the Alpha 9 twice in different stores and was left unimpressed. I had a similar first impression when I listened to the Diva 92 in the store. The dealer warned me not to judge the sound until I had it at home for at least 24 hours. He was right. The next day it was a different player - Goosebumps on every tune! The next day it was even better. With no hesitation I bought it. It's as if I just upgraded my entire system.


Associated equipment:

PS Audio line stage
Forte Model 1a power amp
Vandersteen 2c
Magnepan SMGc (adjacent room)
Grado RS-2 Headphones / Creek OBH-11se amp
Wireworld, Tara Labs, Kimber interconnects and cable

Similar Products Used:

Musical Concepts Epoch 5

Natural sound & presentation.

A little "safe" on rock tracks

Well I've only had this 1 week. First impressions were "brilliant", "wow" etc. Second day, when I put some more rock-type cd's through it, weren't so good... where's the excitement gone?? Since then I've been running it in more (thanks to the repeat function), and must have notched up some 25-30 hours of playing... and it does sound better.


I've noticed this has been mentioned in some of the other reviews as well so I'm still quite confident that it will get better. (I'll submit another review next month).

I'm also thinking of upgrading my existing not-very-hifi amplification, possibly with Arcam's A85...

Any thoughts from 92 owners much welcome...

Richard.

ps: my setup
a. Arcam CD92
b. Myriad MA120 power amp
c. Nad 3020 as a pre amp
d. Qudos ?? interconnects (about US50), and cable by same.
e. Kef Q15.2 speakers on stands.

Similar Products Used:

Cyrus CD7

warmth, image, excellent for vocals

veiled soundstage, somewhat bloated bass

Just a follow up note to the hum problem etc. Thanks for Gary's advice which I tried to follow, except the interconnects are too short (3 feet). Fortunately, when hooked up to my new preamp/amp with proper grounding, the hum through the speakers disappeared. In retrospect it could have been the TV/DVD connection to the old integrated amp (my 19" Toshiba TV has a much louder transformer problem).

Nonetheless, when I discussed the DIVA 92 experience with the dealer for my new preamp/amp, he simply told me for the preamp/amp I was getting, I might as well get the FMJ CD23. So I brought one home for auditioning and boy, I now know what "sonic experience" means!

For having kept the DIVA92 only 2 months, and spending an extra >$1000 (Cdn) for the FMJ, I feel I have paid the entrance fee into the worldwide "audiophile" club!!

See my review of FMJ CD23 if interested.

PS: My apologies to the expert reviewers at What Hi Fi magazine...I think they were right to rate the DIVA92 4/5 stars. I obviously haven't listened to enough CD players to know the difference.

Similar Products Used:

None

I just wanted to suggest that one way to reduce, or eliminate, the greatest (or worst) effect of the hum is to ensure that the cd player is as far removed from your AMP or Pre-AMP as possible. Also using high quality cables will reduce some of the transmission of the interference (hum) to AMP.

Great soundstage, nice tight bass ,crystal clear highs

sounds like crap until it has about thirty hours breakin

When I brought the 92 home and switched it in my system for my old Sony 29ES player, I almost took it back. ICK!! After about a week, it began to change and open up. After a little less than two months, it's transformation in stock form was complete. This player has nice smooth detail and good tight bass. After two weeks of brokein stock, my used Powersnakes Viper v2 arrived.with ten hours of settling down, I now have a killer CD player. What was good soundstage before is now 3D. Not any wider, but deep and the instruments seem to hang in the air. It's now a good complement to my vinyl setup.
Associated components:
Classe' CAP 151 w/Powersnake Sidewinder
Yamaha TX-950
Rega P 25 w/ Dynavector 20X
HHb 850 CD recorder w/Silver Audio Powerburst
Headroom Maxed Out Home w/Sennheiser 600 w/Clou Red cables and TG Audio HSR-i powercord
KEF 103.2 w/ Alpha Core MI2
Silver Audio Hiacynth interconnects on Arcam, Alpha Core
Micro Purl AG on the rest

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RC 971, Denon 460, Sony 80ES , and 29ES

Articulate,supurb sonic qualities,silky-smooth treble,no grain,nice air and space around voices and instruments

Sony transport? I guess it's reliable

When I first read about the new Arcam DIVA series I was skeptical. I put my faith upon the reviews and had a listen. To my ears it is believable that the CD92 is the sound I like in a CD player.The vocals and instruments are in there own devine realm.The is no loss in detail and climax does exist when called upon.The CD92 is subtle and fatigue is not in it's definition.It kind of reminds me of the good old vinyl days,opps did I say old? Anyway the 24-Bit Ring DAC is a good thing and the Arcam DIVA CD92 is a very good player,the music is received with naturalness.The face lift is justified.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz 67se,Denon 1650AR,Arcam Alpha 7se

A great audiophile CD player for a reasonable price. Consistently outperformed other more expensive models in side-by-side comparisons. great detail and clarity. like the metal cassing. gives many cd's more life than they've ever had.

used with:
Mcintosh - MC-352
Mcintosh - C-41
B&W - Nautilus-802
Monster Cable - m1000
Monter Cable m2.4s Speaker wire