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Aurum Acoustics Integris CDP

This new CD player already received glowing accolades. It looks like Reimyo CDP and appears to be built like tank, uses Anagram Quantum SRC module and Philips CD Pro 2M top-loading transport. Any comment on the performance of this CD player?
ah023
ah023 OP
7 posts
 
It is understandable that one manufacturer can not use others patented processor but reviews in the Ultra Audio, AIG and Secrets of Home Theater & high Fidelity are quite indicative of superlative performance of the Integris CDP. However, I am looking forward to the users comments.

Have you compared the Capitole Reference & Integris side by side?
golden_ears
224 posts
 
Side by side? No, but I sincerely doubt that you are going to find anyone who has. I have heard both and I reported what I heard to be the differences. To be fair, the performance of the player may have been handicapped by the components downstream. To be sure, one would have to have both in the same system, but like I already said, that's probably not going to happen.
As to what reviewers claim to hear, and their motivations? Let's not go there...
Aurum is a very small Canadian company that markets their components as a whole system: CD player/preamp with active speakers. You're usually not going to find the CD player off by itself somewhere. However, under the pressure of a Digital-Crazy North American market, they may have to market the CD player separately...
vargus
16 posts
 
I have listened to both extensively side by side and I own both players (Capitole Reference). Both are superlative players, however if I had to pick only one, I would choose the Aurum. I have listened to both players in a variety of systems including Edge and VAC electronics, and SF Stradivari's and Hansen King's. We have put the Aurum, Cap Ref and DCS P8 head to head in these systems, and fairly consistently the Aurum edged out the other two players. I don't claim to know why this difference exists, but I suspect it has do with the tube output of the Cap ref versus the solid state output of the Aurum. Again, these differences are not major, but among the 4 of us listening at the time we all preferred the Aurum. The Aurum is more detailed, has a more tight bass response and overall was more musical. The Cap ref has a more bloomy bass response and is not as detailed in its presentation. It is an appropriate choice for an all solid state system.
Another player on par with the Aurum is the Audio Research CD7- outstanding, but I don't need another CDP!
ah023 OP
7 posts
 
Vargus, thanks for your detailed comments. It is pretty interesting to learn that you own both players and listened to them extensively side by side. Did you use all solid state electronics or mix of solid state and tube during the comparison?
vargus
16 posts
 
Ah023,
I used a mix of solid state and tube equipment. The main system was composed of Edge power and pre amps, with the SF Strads as our main speaker. We did substitute the battery powered Edge pre with an all tube VAC. The exact model numbers are unknown to me as I was not interested in the electronics. We also tried the Capitole with the Integris 300B Active system, and found that it was not synergistic. The Integris CDP player is obviously a great match with the 300B Active system, and I in fact purchased this entire set up. I have found as every one else will tell you that synergy is the key to putting a great system together, but I did not want to experiment with thousands and thousands of $$$ to see what would work, nor do I have the time to be buying and selling equipment on the 'Gon. The Aurum system has synergy built in it and it is appreciated by those who do not wish to experiment with components and cables (or at least to a minor degree only). Derrick Moss has done this work for you. My retailer and myself figure it would cost 2 to 3 times to surpass the Aurum system's musicality.
The Capitole, btw is very synergistic with Rowland gear. I am going to use mine either for a second system or upgrade it to a Prestige SACD player to use with the Aurum.
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