I bought the CAL DX2 after auditioning to seven other CD players in it's category. I decided to keep the CAL DX2 because of it's warm rich sound. Other electronics I use are Parasound P/FET discrete ClassA preamp, Nelson Pass's balanced line stage with Sun of Zen and/or Stewe Deckert's Zen Amp. The speakers are DX3 Lowthers /from 150Hz up/ with subwoofer /two 12" woofers isobaric fed by 150W solid state/. So you see what kind of sound I am after. Smooth but dynamic, warm but not muddy, simply life like...And CAL DX2 fits into my system precisely and it's going to stay there for a while. As they say about DX2 "Sophisticated in it's simplicity and free from useless features". And I say "Make it simple, but no simpler".
Nicely done, CAL!

solid construction,warm-analog sound with lot of details,work with any source of material(including CD-R).Non sensitive for vibrations.Very good and usefull remote.

none at this price

Good velue for the money

Similar Products Used:

NAD C540

I wouldn't say I'm in love with DX-2 but I certainly enjoy the warm sound like good vinyl but lack the detail. It's like CAL added a filter to make the sound "warmer" but I'm sure that's not the case. I initially purchased Marantz 67 SE and somewhat satisfied but took it back due to its bright harshness since my system is already bit bright (I have Acurus DIA 100 with NHT Superone). By the way 67 SE is way overrated by the magazines and alike. If you're into warm sound then go for it but you do get what you pay meaning it's a good choice for price range of $500 to $1000. It all depends what you expect!
PS I agree with other reviewers that a better amp and speakers will really "show" what a good player this is. I too had NAD amp and NEC cd player and NAD amp "ruined" the sound from this player.

I've owned the DX2 for several months now. I used an NAD integrated at first and heard little improvement over a cheap NEC player. Somewhat tighter bass but not much more.
I then upgraded to a McCormack DNA.5 Deluxe amp and TLC-1 preamp and WOW! Transparency in spades. Warm and involving with tight bass. Yes, the McCormack's have something to do with this but it wouldn't work without a good source component. This leads me to say that component matching is important. A bad review of the DX2 leads me to believe that the amp/preamp weren't as transparent as the McCormack's.

Are there better CD players? Sure. But for the $500-650 you'll pay for the DX2 I don't think you'll find something warmer or more involving. It's detailed but not overly bright, and therefore not for someone requiring or liking a certain brightness or sharpness to their music.

Just home auditioned a Planet and the DX2 and I gotta say the planet sounded better. Better soundstage and imaging, better bass extension, smoother treble, better more clear midrange. I gotta say that for what you pay, the DX2 is overpriced. Try the Planet and see. This is just my educated opinion you can take it for what it's worth!! 3/5 speakers because the Planet gets 4 and the DX-2 is close, but not close enough to warrant a purchase.

Basically, I was looking for a good quality transport to use with my Musical Fidelity x24k DAC. I checked out the Rega Planet, Jolida 602, Rotel 951, Arcam Alpha 7 and the CAL delta transport. I found no compelling reason to own any of the other more expensive players for use as a transport. lately, i've been listening through the Dx-2's own analog stage. I must say, I like the sound, to a degree, but i'm not giving up my x24. the dx-2 has a warm, smooth sound. the soundstag is deep and the instruments are well placed in space, but it lacks the sort of serious detail i've grown acustomed to with my x24k. of course, this isn't really a fair comparison, as the DAC is 24bits resolution and the Dx-2 only 16. furthermore, the dac alone cost almost what the Dx2 does. my related equipment is all tube, though... so, this might contribute to the overly warm sound I'm hearing.
DaC: music fidelity x24k
Amp: music reference Rm-10
Pre: music fidelity x-pre
Loudspeakers: mission 750LE
Cable: Kimber PBJ inters, AQ type 4 speaker, Camelot Sir Bors power cord, kimber silver coax

the dx2 might be a little bit out of its leauge with the other gear (as a plaeyr, not a transport)

Very impressive product for the price...warm, full, non-fatiguing. Highly recommended.

the dx-2 is a great player for the money. but, you have to ask, why are some things not here? first why a bitstream converter? audiophiles have consitantly oppossed bitstream for its stretched thin, and detail lacking sound. also, where is the hdcd? we have come to appreciate this in players in this price range, and it can help the cd player mask certain problems. i have had this player for three months an am replacing it, but not freely, i am replacing it with the wadia 830 integrated cd player. the dx-2 was just a stopping point, but i think you can do little better at the price. bitstream seems to be the point of the day. consider however denon's 1500, it is only $1000, just 300 over the list on the dx-2, and it will help you forget all about hdcd. i think this is a slump in cd player performance (the 400-1000) catergory, look to parasounds belt drive unit for good sound, and learn to forget that the extra 400 is worth it, even if it takes a while. if you really listen, you will have to get rid of it. my rating takes its price heavily into consideration

Strengths: warmth; pleasing tone (velvet-y); simplicity in ergonomics and appearance; CAL reputation. Weaknesses: not as revealing as others in class; buttons feel and function rather cheaply. I think this is a great CD player for lower to mid range equipment that could use a little warmth to balance out, e.g., japanese integrateds, adcom, etc. The Sony XA20ES is this unit's opposite (evil or good I'm not sure) in most aspects -- revealing, analytical/clinical, complex ergonomics/appearance, great feeling/functioning buttons. The Rega Planet, on the other hand is more toward the DX-2 but a little more revealing and "upfront" (than the DX-2, but not in general). I really like the DX-2 but I suspect it appeals more to audiophiles in the "analog/analog/vinyl/vinyl/tube/tube/warmth/warmth/warmth" camp than anyone.

Can't think of any.

Blurry sound, remote doesn't work

Took the thing home all exited that I'd be getting a high-end CD player, and it sounded worse than my previous Onkyo $200 player. Also, the remote didn't work from the getgo. Returned it within a week--Harvey was cool about the return. Later bought the Marantz $500 player used for half the price. No comparison, the Marantz is clear detailed and lifelike.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz CD67