AD8620 in a Solo
May 24, 2008 9:55:38 GMT
Post by toad on May 24, 2008 9:55:38 GMT
As mentioned elsewhere I've been looking for a new CDP but all the nice sub £500 options seem to be most likely not warm enough for my Stock Solo/AKG K701. To that end I rooted out an AD8620 on a browndog that I'd used in yet another failed attempt to better the AD823 in my CMoy.
I opened up the Solo and popped in the AD8620 and left it cooking overnight. It wasn't too shabby then but now it's been in situ for a couple of days the end result is quite impressive.
Not as detailed as the stock AD823 but the soundstage is HUGE. Way more space between the instruments. A much warmer sound too. Midrange has improved no end. Female Vocals are gorgeous. Full, warm and evocative. Norah Jones "Not too Late" album sounds lovely on this chip. If you stop to analyse the music you can notice the details aren't resolved as well as the AD823 but it's not bad. However, the overall presentation means that you're more likely to be immersed in the music rather than analysing it.
Listening to Vivaldi's Concertos for Mandolin Harpsichord and Strings was as near to being there as I've ever heard through headphones. Notes just hang in the air. Fantastic stuff. Especially with the traffic noise outside the concert hall
On the negative side listening to Piano I've noticed that the AD8620 lacks the weight of the AD823. It's just a little too laid back. Solo Piano isn't as satysfying with the AD8620 but it's less noticible when the piano is accompanied by other instruments or the human voice.
The AD8620 is really worth trying in your Solo if like me you have AKG K701s and a slightly bright source and want to tame the highs. I'll have to retrieve my HD595s from work and see what they sound like on this chip. I somehow doubt they'll suit it but that doesn't worry me too much.
I think this one might be a keeper.
Ian
I opened up the Solo and popped in the AD8620 and left it cooking overnight. It wasn't too shabby then but now it's been in situ for a couple of days the end result is quite impressive.
Not as detailed as the stock AD823 but the soundstage is HUGE. Way more space between the instruments. A much warmer sound too. Midrange has improved no end. Female Vocals are gorgeous. Full, warm and evocative. Norah Jones "Not too Late" album sounds lovely on this chip. If you stop to analyse the music you can notice the details aren't resolved as well as the AD823 but it's not bad. However, the overall presentation means that you're more likely to be immersed in the music rather than analysing it.
Listening to Vivaldi's Concertos for Mandolin Harpsichord and Strings was as near to being there as I've ever heard through headphones. Notes just hang in the air. Fantastic stuff. Especially with the traffic noise outside the concert hall
On the negative side listening to Piano I've noticed that the AD8620 lacks the weight of the AD823. It's just a little too laid back. Solo Piano isn't as satysfying with the AD8620 but it's less noticible when the piano is accompanied by other instruments or the human voice.
The AD8620 is really worth trying in your Solo if like me you have AKG K701s and a slightly bright source and want to tame the highs. I'll have to retrieve my HD595s from work and see what they sound like on this chip. I somehow doubt they'll suit it but that doesn't worry me too much.
I think this one might be a keeper.
Ian