This is very confusing to me, so I’m not sure how to interpret all of this information. For those of you that have been following my saga, I purchased a pair of Focal Scala Evo speakers that I cannot return to the dealer. The best he can do for me is to exchange them for a new pair of B&W 802 D4 speakers.
Along with the BHK preamp and 300 amps, I have been using the Mark Levinson 5101 CD player which upsamples using a choice of 7 PCM filters.
My dealer just gave me a Hegel Viking CD player to try at home that does not upsample.
The sound is completely different, yet I’m not sure how to explain it. Anotherwards which is correct: change the speakers or try to change the CD player?
I’ve never heard of Hegel or the Viking CD player, and don’t understand this upsampling and bit rates and all. I thought upsampling is the normal, and only cheap / old CD players didn’t upsample.
My thoughts are not going to be helpful, I do understand.
But
I cannot believe how much more enjoyable and uncomplicated my Audio Life has become since I dumped all my physical media and reverted to purely streaming from a one-box solution that feeds my Vivid Giya Spirits.
So
While I honestly enjoy reading forums such as these, and I can still resonate with people such as your self’s enjoyment and pains, when I read posts like these, I honestly cannot believe how irrelevant they’ve become once I realized I don’t need those items any more.
On the one hand these posts remind me so much of myself; On the other hand - and I confess it’s a matter of “different strokes to different folks”, they’ve become distant, often amusing reminders of those days I still mulled over various upgrade options. Not to mention the “running in” periods that seemed never-ending due to the ever-changing component changing.
Different Dac and Analog output stage than the Levinson so a different sound profile. You are now hearing your discs the way they were recorded in 16:44. If he let you try multiple other different brands of CD players they would all likely sound different than the Levinson too. What other brands of players does he sell? To help balance out the Focals you might need the one with the warmest sound signature. Another option for a bit less than the Hegel would be the Teac VRDS-701, also on the warmer side.
like i said, I’ve never even heard of Hegel. But on appearance two things concern me: (1) the power cord looks like it’s 22 gauge, cheaper than the usual stock power cord, and (2) the remote looks even cheaper with tiny buttons meant for a child.
That doesn’t mean that the rest of it is cheap, but it’s not helping their image.
Generally, Hegel is decent stuff. But to your observation it’s a CD only player. If you like what you’re hearing, however, and need the SACD capability, something like an Accuphase DP-570 or Luxman D-07X might be the ticket, if your dealer carries either brand and is willing to help you. Neither is as incisive as the MK 5101, but neither also may be quite as bloomy and saturated as the Viking. Either could be “just right” in your system.
Hegel is a well respected Scandanavian brand most know for it’s integrated amps. Most people who buy a piece in that price range leave the supplied PC in the box and use their own. Isn’t the Viking remote metal? If so not cheap.
it’s metal, but it doesn’t illuminate, the buttons are very tiny and wobbly in their slot. For example, compare it to the metal Bryston BP-26 remote control. Built like a brick s**thouse
And Hegel also has other optional remotes you can opt for at a higher cost. Nitpicking about accessories aside how does the Hegel actually sound with the rest of your gear compared to the Levinson. If you’re back to dealing with Overture again then according to their website they carry 14 brands of CD players so one of them should be to your liking.
Well if the Hegel doesn’t do it for you what other options does this dealer have? Other than reviewers you are not likely to find many Hegel CD users on any of the forums. Most Hegel customers in the US seem to be with their integrated amps. The Luxman players are built like a tank and have a warm full signature. Also the upper level Marantz players. I’ve used separate transports and DACs for year so only know what I’ve read about the combo units. The Luxman and Marantz list for between $3500-4500, less than the Viking.
I think i’ll stick with my mark levinson 5101. the CD portion of this unit sounds good. The streamer not only sounds bad, but it crashes often. My other complaint, but the Hegel has it also so it must be the newer fad, is the front slot loading of the cd instead of the tray system.