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Pro-ject 12 xtension TT vs Meridian 808.2 CD player..and the winner is!

DISCLAIMER--This is my OPINION / IMPRESSION . I am just having some fun with this because I was so happy to be able to do it and it was an eye ( or ear ) opener for me. I never had a TT so I was surprised by the results.

Wow, this was really close.  Pro-ject 12 Xtension with Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation catridge  vs Meridian 808.2 Cd player

The TT...by a hair. They both sounded exceptional!  Almost identical.

 I had the same CD/LP running at the same time. Easy to do A/B comparison. Incredibly, I did not have to adjust the volume when I switched inputs. They sounded dynamically the same.

The judgement was not easy but after quite a while it became clear. Instead of attempting to explain why Vinyl came out on top I will give you this analogy:

Picture a beautiful shiny diamond in a case. Now picture the same beautiful shiny diamond in the same case ..resting on a velvet pad.

I went to Barnes and Nobles today. They had a great 20% off for members ( and I had coupons and gift cards.. I was fully armed! ). Plenty of 4.99 CD's with a vast variety compared to the limited amount of LP's priced all the way to $45

I came home with 6 LP's. That has got to mean something.  Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Test Equipment: martin-logan 13a,   audio research ref6,  krell duo 300,    parasound jc3+,   mit cabling

mike



128x128mikepaul
madavid0
214 posts
 
I bet you would find the difference more pronounced if you dial in the rake angle properly.
mikepaul's avatar
mikepaul OP
223 posts
 
MadavidO yeah you are probably right .I did not do the full “Michael Fremer” yet..lol

i felt comfortable enough to do the basic setup with the protractor and digital tracking force gauge

I do not have the microscope for the 92 degree angle yet.and I was also going to check the azimuth.....in due time.....

that was also part of my surprise that it sounded so good without all the tricked out adjustments......
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Mikepaul. its a difference in listener fatigue more than in sound ,
You brain likes riding  the analogue wave not going 1111111 forever .
mikepaul's avatar
mikepaul OP
223 posts
 
Schubert....hmmmmm....not sure I agree with you.....the meridian is a spectacular CD player and I was shocked that any other  method of music reproduction would equal it let alone surpass it

Once again...not here to wreak havoc

My observations were made in the context of MY system....and posted because i thought it might be interesting ...or not....

your milege may vary 

Mike
robd2
45 posts
 
@mikepaul great album choice! I have done this same shootout with an Ayre CD player against an extension 10 TT using the same brothers in arms album. : ))))  to have some real fun here you are going to have to shell out for the Mofi 45 of brothers in arms and repeat your experiment. 
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