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California Audio Labs Icon Mk II; NOT POWERBOSS

Hi expert ears; I need some advice: Any thoughts or experience to share about Cal Labs Icon MkII CD player?? I've read RAVE reveiws about the modified version with the Power Boss HDCD tweak, but not too much about the unmodified Icon MKII. What I've read has been good. Will be using it with Integra Research amp; Audioquest hyperlitz speaker cables & interconnects. If you recommend it, what is a fair price to pay for one in ex. condition? Thanks. -Klipschking (really KEFking)
klipschking
lateguestsnomore
50 posts
 
I bought mine 15 years ago.
It still plays fine music.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I have a CAL CL15 and recently had a Marantz KI Pearl home for an audition. To make a long story short, I put the KI Pearl back in the box fairly quickly. The CL 15 is that good, to my ears at least. They have a sound that is hard to find these days. I do not know how it compares to the IKON but I would say that the Cal's are quite the bargain these days.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
For you guys who "can't find anything better", you aren't looking hard enough. I had one of these in a second system, and while it was pleasant enough, it was no giant killer. My old Jolida and my TRL modified Sony are head and shoulders better, and neither of those are high dollar digital. But the Delta/Alpha or Sigma combo is still competitive today, and readily available.

Shakey
larryro2
137 posts
 
still have my modified icon mark II

runs well!

will a new cd sound better?

only if I want it to

lr
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