Here's a suggested set-up:
Bracket A:
(1) Pioneer PD-S505
(2) Sony 227ESD
(3) Denon DCD-800
Bracket B:
(1) NAD C542
(2) Sony 337ESD
(3) Denon 1015
Bracket C:
(1) Usher CD-100
(2) Rotel RCD-965
(3) Rotel RCD-1070
Winners on each bracket will go head to head with each other.
If Hans can provide 3 pairs of his silver interconnects I can bring over my amp which can accept 3 sources.
I can also make 3 copies of our reference tracks using Exact Audio Copy written 4x speed on Memorex black cdrs. This cdr uses gold dye for its reflective layer so compatibility should not be an issue.
May I request to include a track from Norah Jones' Come Away With Me album as this is my reference album. Maybe we can ask the participants suggest their reference tracks to be included to be able to show the best of their cd players. Please no HDCD, SACD or DVD-A because not all players can play these formats.
I have some Cheskys, Sheffield and Telarc on hand.
Some suggested tracks:
1. Spanish Harlem - Rebecca Pidgeon (Ultimate Demonstration Disc/Chesky) for female voice realism.
2. More Than You'll Ever Know - Michael Ruff (Speaking In Melodies/Sheffield) for a test on the male voice.
3. Misty - Christy Baron (I Thought About You/Chesky) This tracks has a lot of deep bass. You can feel it on your chest on good speakers.
4. The Magnificent Seven - Erich Kunzel (Round Up/Telarc) for that full orcheastra dynamics!
5. Canon & Gigue - Christpher Hogwood (B&W Reference Disc) great violin passages. Superb on tube amps.
6. Seven Years - Norah Jones (Come Away With Me/Bluenote) special request
.
Dami entries. Not sure if we can listen to a lot of tracks.
Usher and Rotels? Kabado na pioneer ko. Nag ji-jitters na siya!