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Category: Miscellaneous
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Title: Denon UD-M31 Mini-Component CD Receiver 
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views:1957
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 The Denon D-M31 system has been well-received by virtually everyone who has heard it. Even HiFi News' Ken Kessler raved in his review and then bought the review unit.
The D-M31 comprises a CD-receiver and a pair of Mission-designed speakers. The CD-Receiver (UD-M31) can also be purchased on its own. There is also an optional matching companion unit (DRR-M31) which is a cassette recorder/deck.
The UD-M31 is the successor to the UD-M30. I had a UD-M30 system in my study, when a nearby lightning strike resulted in a power surge that "killed" the UD-M30. I had been very happy with the UD-M30, so went out replace it, only to find that it had been superceded by the UD-M31.
Undaunted, I bought the UD-M31...
While I had been very happy with the UD-M30, I am ecstatic with the UD-M31. I have added the DRR-M31 cassette recorder.
Let me decribe the unit:
It is, in effect, a full-size component that has been cut in half from front to rear. Put the receiver and the matching tape deck together side-by-side, and the resulting combination is the same size as a normal width component.
The unit consists of an RDS-equipped FM tuner, a CD player and a 22wpc (RMS) amplifier section. The rear panel is equipped with two full tape-loops (ie in & out) plus a sub-woofer line out linked to the volume control. A pair of spring-clip speaker terminals is provided, as is a pair of system remote connections for the optional modules. Connectors for both AM loop (provided) and an external FM antenna are also provided for on the rear panel.
I have paired the UD-M31 with Tannoy speakers - a pair of Tannoy MX2 standmount units plus a Tannoy MX-SUB-10 powered (75w) sub-woofer, in a 2.1 configuration.
The system is situated in my study (and is playing as I type this review) - sited on a shelf with the MX2's and the MX-SUB-10 is on the floor below the work-surface.
For what it is, for what it cost, and for the purpose its used, this is one fine system.
Diana Krall's "Live in Paris" sounds "real"; with Bruce Springsteen, it rocks; and it does a reasonaly creditable job on Beethoven's Violin Concerto.
While it cannot compete with my primary system (it cost less than 5% of the main system's cost) - it does a very sterling job and I don't feel that the difference in quality is that crucial when I am working and not actively listening.
I have not indulged in some of the off-the-wall pairing that Ken Kessler got up to in his review, but have driven a pair of Tannoy D700's off this little mite - and it did not disgrace itself in the least.
Finally, I had a US houseguest a while back and he's an audiophile of note and passion. He was gobsmacked by this Denon and was most upset to find that Denon do not actively market it in the USA.
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| Review submitted: 2005/6/6
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Category: Miscellaneous
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Title: Isotek Cleanline
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views:648
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2 days ago I plugged a mains filter (an Isotek 'Cleanline') into my hifi chain.
I've always been sceptical about mains filters and conditioners and have never really been interested in purchasing one.
Unfortunately I'm an impulsive guy, and after a recent visit to the Heathrow Hifi show (at which EVERY exhibitor was using a mains filter of one sort or another) decided to get me one!
Irrationally I sourced the cheapest rack width silver fascia filter (for an aesthetic match with my MuFi kit) I could find - a second hand Isotek Cleanline on 'ebay'. And placed a bid without ever having auditioned any mains filter, let alone the Isotek Cleanline itself.
After winning the item I had that sort of sinking feeling of regret and stupidity that one gets when one realises that one has made an entirely impulse buy.
Nevertheless I honoured my bid, stumped up the cash and waited for the package to arrive.
Once the postie had fulfilled his part of the process I quickly fitted the Cleanline into my system. "At least it looks good" I mumbled resigning my self to a post-facto justification of the purchase based around its pretty blue LED.
I stuck in a CD and hit play.
To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I was gobsmacked: The difference to the sound of my hifi was NOT subtle. Indeed, I would say that only amp and speaker upgrades have benefitted the sound of my system more.
In a nut shell the Isotek did exactly what it says on the tin - it cleaned the sound, lending instruments and voices far greater definition. The trebble was more detailed but at the same time midrange was more pleasantly present. The bass had more gravitas and the sound stage was really phat(?!).
I would go as far to say that the Cleanline (£185 SH) has been, pound for the pound the most cost affective addition to my hifi that I have ever made.
Whether the Cleanline is in itself a great piece of kit, or whether it was simply the final missing link in my hifi chain I don't know. I guess I'll have to switch other bits of kit (DAC, X10 v3, cables, ect.,...) in out to see if the improvements they bring are now more apparent with that filthy mains purified!
I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has anything o say about mains filters generally, and especially from anyone who has experience of other Isotek filters that I could consider as future upgrades.
Cheers
DocFoster |
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| Review submitted: 2005/9/23
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Category: Miscellaneous
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Title: Isotek Gemini GII
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views:3224
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I read the review of the Isotek Cleanline by DocFoster and found it useful, so thought I should likewise contribute a few words about my recent purchase - an ex-demo Isotek Gemini GII 6-way filter block.
I have a fairly modest hi-fi: what may be termed "budget" - and much of it purchased second hand. While I'm keen to upgrade (in particular my amplifier) I'm aware that it "works", so it’s rather difficult to justify upgrades to my partner.
One area I had considered looking at was the mains – particularly since we had our flat re-wired and electricity was on my mind. This was partly because I kept reading about the difference it made – allegedly even to budget kit. Also because the idea of 1 upgrade influencing the amp, CD, tuner, cassette and DVD seemed good value.
After much research I concluded I had no room on my rack for an extra component, so the Isotek Cleanline/Solus and MiniSub were ruled out. Instead I looked to the multi-way types. While the Orion strongly appealed, it was more than I could afford so I opted for the Gemini. Even being slightly less sophisticated compared to the Orion and also an ex-dem, I still paid £249 – making it a not-inexpensive upgrade. After parting with my cash I waited anxiously, my partner smirking, for it to arrive.
First impression: it’s a beast! Really big and heavy, not at all like the white plastic multi-socket it replaced. Next problem: no cable. I did purchase one on eBay but it has a Wattgate HC 16A plug on it, so until I get round to purchasing a replacement I’m making do with a less-than-ideal standard kettle plug.
Even given this limitation, I was stunned at the sound! It REALLY does make a difference. Music just has more detail and sparkle. Even my cynical partner admitted (reluctantly) that yes, it was an improvement! I don’t know enough about hi-fi to be able tpo provide a technical description of the ways in which the sound is better, except to say it is - a great deal. Am so pleased with it.
Am now looking forward to a new IEC plug from Santa which should hopefully make it sound even better... |
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| Review submitted: 2007/11/25
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Category: Miscellaneous
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Title: Trichord Clock 2
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views:289
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My Trichord Clock 2 is fitted!
Fitting this little gizmo had proved beyond my limited skills and I'd had to wait for a social visit from a more electronically able friend to install the clock 2 into my CDP unit.
Once my friend had read the instructions it didn't take hime long to snip out the old crystal and related capacitors from my old Marantz CD63SE, before wiring in the new Trichord clock.
From the limited listening thus far, the clock 2 has definitely taken my CDP a step or two further in the direction of greater fidelity, with improvements noticable and certainly worthwhile for £50!!
The change in sound can best be summed up by talking about 'greater definition and detail'. This seems to benefit all frequency areas (bass, mid and trebble), essentially placing instruments and voices more in their own spaces, and making the air and gaps in between the spaces occupied by those instruments and voices more tangible.
In the past, I've noticed that this sort of improved resolution is achieved by some hifi components by sucking out the midrange. Thus the perceived improvements in 'resolution' can come at the expense of a reduction in natural warmth, leaving instruments more defined, but also 'thin' sounding.
NOT so with the Trichord Clock! From my listening so far I'd even go as far to say that if there is one frequency area that has benefitted the most from the more accurate clocking it the midrange. Female vocals last night were sounding very good. Very good and very natural - lacking much of the arguable tendency towards digital artifice that digital sources can sometimes suffer (even with MuFi upsampling and tube buffering!). This improvement I suppose one can put down to the more accurate digital timing that the Trichord Clock 2 provides: The more accurate the timing, the more accurate the digital stream for the DAC to decode.
I can see the changes brought by the Trichord clock 2 as only a good thing - I hope you find your clock 2 a similar step in the direction of greater fidelity.
And all for 50 quid (plus the price of a 'thank you' pint for my friend who did the fitting job).
And the overall timing couldn't be better - as a teacher I'm on half term this week, so loads of time to slump infront of my hifi and listen to some excellent (and well reproduced) music.
Devilears, thank you for the recommendation!
DocFoster |
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| Review submitted: 2005/10/24
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