I took the alpha 9 under a close look with AE 120's and an alpha 9 amp,and it sounds rich, detailed, open and with a very positioned and wide soundstage. One of the best players I ever heard, taken it is broken in properly before you listen to it!
The bass is on the powerfull side, that can give you the extra kick you asked for, or may lead you to go more towards a marantz or a Cyrus.

I replaced an NAD 510 with an Alpha 9 ($1350 inc shipping from www.hififarm.com)feeding an NAD 317 integrated and Paradigm Studio 60s. I immediately noticed that with one of the Stereophile disks that contains audience noise (Serenade? Encore?) what had been an undifferentiated murmur resolved into distinguishable words. A pretty objective proof-of-resolution; I'm a happy camper with this and other aspects of the player. (Mind you, it's interesting to compare Arcam's Brit prices with the American ones - if the American market is more competitive, it doesn't show in their sterling-to-dollar conversion. So I'm knocking off a star because of the list price.)

I have had an Alpha 9 for about two months now. I think that cd players pretty much sound similar.The only diffirence I have heard lately is HDCD and DTS.The Alpha 9 plays HDCD.It does not play DTS. As a standard cd player, it sounds great.But so does my Pioneer combi player.At this point it seems that use of the Elgar Ring Dac employed in the Alpha 9 is for future enjoyment. Since there isn't software available to play on it at 24/96.It is built well.It sounds great. Comprable to cd players that used to cost 4000-6000 dollars. Trickle down effect I guess.

Having upgraded from the Alpha 8 to the Alpha 9 3 weeks ago, I was at first disappointed...then I noticed that the Alpha 9's character changes rather dramatically with warm-up. Now that I leave it on all the time, the Alpha 9 sounds superb with a deep soundstage, warm, deep bass, level midrange and warm treble. It sounds transparent but not sterile. It has the same "warmth" I've experienced with other Arcam products. Truly a GREAT sounding CD player and the HDCD playback is even better.

I auditioned the Alpha 9 against the new NAD (sorry, can't recall name) and the Naim (ditto). Rejected the Naim almost straight away - fantastic warmth and detail but no depth whatsoever (very much 'in your face'). Used it with Alpha 10 integrated amp and Dynaudio Audience 40 speakers (best for my home room acoustics).
Very very impressed with the detail and sheer control. If it's in the recording, the Alpha 9 will find it. What it lacks is the last degree of warmth and dynamics. Having said this, I've never heard a system which had all I'd want in warmth and dynamics which had detail and control. I think, to be honest, it's a case of making a choice between one or the other, and I prefer control (I listen to a lot of solo piano). Beyond this level, I think you can get more, but I firmly believe you are spending a disproprtionate sum for what you'll get in return.

Construction is not the most brilliant I've seen. However, nor is it as bad as some people have made out. In addition, it must be said that it's solid enough. I suspect Arcam products work becuase of the electrical wizadry rather than quality of construction per se.

HDCD facilities are superb - I'd not worry about the next genre of CDs - it'll be a good while before the final medium is decided upon, and in the meantime, buy the Alpha 9! [NB - Arcam products in the past have been upgradable]. The price in Britain is 800 pounds (I part-exchanged a Marantz special edition which softened the blow), which is a relative bargain.

The Alpha 9 is a great sounding unit, there is no doubt of that, but for the price it fetches($2000+ can) it sould built more soundly. It looks like a cheap Sanyo, the transport is not solid, and it has far too many lights and buttons.
Again I must say the unit sounded great for the price, near that of the baby KRELL and Copland units, and for that I must give it 5 stars. For build quality, I must give it only 3 stars. At this price range, the transport should be rock solid and, I know this does not make any sonic difference, the face plate should be more "attractive" to use.

P.S. I have noticed that a lot of high end CD players do have wobbley transports. Why do we as audiophiles allow this. For the price they fetch, Levenson and Krell etc. should NOT have the least bit of play in any of there components.

David

I AM PRESENTLY LISTENING TO A ARCAM ALPHA 9 [FRIENDS LOANER] IN A FEW WEEKS MY FULL REVIEW OF THIS PLAYER AND THE AH!TJOEB'99 WILL APPEAR ON THEESE PAGES. ANYONE NEEDING ANY INFORMATION ON THE TJOEB [TUBES] PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL.

Well,here It is as promised,almost. I have just spent five trying weeks with this player and four others. At this time I cannot write four more reviews.Anyone interested, read my AH!Tjoeb'98 review.

Great sound

Plastic front, price

The Arcam Alpha CD9 is a great product, that seems to be unanimous in the specialised press. The unit operates well (very warm though) and the sound is the best from every unit I tested under 5000$us. It still cost almost 2000$cdn (with taxes) which is still a lot of money. The other downside is the plastic front panel which gives the CD9 a very cheap look. HOWEVER : Arcam will present a new edition of its top products with a more appealing metal encasement (pricier, but probably worth it).

Used with BW speakers and Arcam Alpha 10 int. amp. (also reviewed)

Similar Products Used:

NAD5440; Rega Planet; Linn Genki

Auditioned in an Acurus DIA-100 with Snell D system.A/B'd with Marantz 67SE (already own).
Listened to both HDCD and non-HDCD discs.
Arcam 9 sounded more rounder, smoother, slightly more dynamic.
Mid-bass was definately boosted as others have reported.
Overall very good, but with 24-bit 96Khz (even 192Khz?) just around the corner,
does it make sense?
For example, we will all need to purchase a 24/96 player at somepoint, right? At that point would you rather have 100 new 24/96 discs (whatevet the format is) or an improved 16/44K (yes I know interpolated to 24/44K) CD player?