Proceed CDP CD Players
Proceed CDP CD Players
USER REVIEWS
[Jun 11, 1999]
Andrew
an Audiophile
Best CD transport/player around for the price. Excellent build quality, ease of operation, and the sound is outstanding. Analog-like, with excellent transparency and imaging (esp. for HDCD encoded discs). Worth having even if you are considering an upgrade to DVD or higher resolution formats in the future. Many dealers are clearing these out in anticipation of Proceed's DVD line and they are relatively easily found used on the 'net. |
[Feb 20, 1999]
ctn
an Audio Enthusiast
This is a player you have to listen to if analog is your thing. You will forget that you're listening to a CD, and you will be able to listen to your system for hours and hours. The previous review is on the money in that the Proceed is most suitable for, which in my case is, jazz. It's no chump in playing classical music either if only because the neutral sounding of other players like the Meridian 508.24 and the Mark Levinson #39 gives the impression of being slightly more detailed and airy. The Proceed has personality nonetheless more comfortable in a dark, smoky jazz bar as opposed to a room for chamber music. I like the Proceed better. I especially like the fact that it has pre-amp capabilities, and you can hook it up directly to your amplifier. With the right combination (I alternate between a Cary tube amp and an AR solid state amp, Audiotruth Diamond, Magnepan and an awesome set of speakers, the name which eludes me right now because it's my dad's, carved in marble), the music is as direct as you can get. Afterall, isn't that what we want? Music that is lively and moves us, rather than disecting it. Check out the madrigal website (www.madrigal.com) for an honest review (it doesn't rave and rant, and points out certain characteristics) of the Proceed. |
[Sep 18, 1998]
Paul J.
an Audiophile
My search for a cd player to replace my Meridian 506.20 is over! I replaced my old Meridian with the Proceed CDP. Other cd players I tried were the Krell KAV 300 and 250, Meridian 508.24, Naim 3.5 with the flat cap power supply option, Classe .5, Wadia 830, Audio Research CD2, Arcam Alpha 9, California Audio Labs CL15 in the balanced option, and Theta Miles in the balanced option. I was very suprised at what I heard and liked in my system. I thought that the "new" 24 bit machines were going to be the best sounding because of the latest technology. I was right and wrong. I wanted the latest technology in my new cd player so I tried the Arcam and Meridian first. I thought that for $1600 the new Arcam with it's new 24 bit technology from dCS would be the obvious choice. The Arcam is a exceptional cd player for it's price range but it is not equal to the top cd players from some of the other companies. It lacked dynamics and detail. The Meridian 508.24 is a exceptional cd player at any price! For classical music this player is among the best. I prefered the Proceed CDP by a slight margin. The Proceed was a better machine for rock, it has a low end that is only matched by the Krell KAV300. I think that the Proceed, Wadia, Audio Research, and Meridian are about the cream of the crop in there price range. I did not know that the Proceed was a 18 bit machine untill I ordered it. The Proceed was clearly better than all of the 20 and 24 bit machines I listened to with the exception of the Meridian 508.24, Wadia 830, and the Audio Research CD2. With these cd players it is a matter of system matching and preferences. The Proceed was better than these machines in the bottom end, it also had a slightly more detailed and up front sound. It was for this reason I picked the Proceed over my very, very close second choice, the Meridian. All four of these machines had transparency and clarity beyond belief! The sound stage depth and width for these machines are unreal as well. I feel that all of these machines have exceptional dynamics as well. The Proceed is by far the best machine for both classical and rock. The Meridian is a better machine for classical only because of it's laid back nature. I think in theory a machine with more bits should be better, but in the real world it depends on how each company uses it's technology. I guess a good example would be automobiles. A 1.3 liter rotery engine can produce more horsepower than a 5 liter V8, it all depends on how you use what you have. I tried all of the cd players in the balanced mode when ever possible using Transparent cables. My system is as follows: Krell KSA 100 amp, Levinson No. 38 preamp, and ProAc Response 1SC's. |
[Jan 14, 2001]
Fallout Boy
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Extremely versatile piece of kit. It can be used as a CD transport or digital processor (as it has digital inputs). Furthermore, because it has a built-in digital volume control, the CDP can be directly connected to a power amplifier. Is extremely musical - delivers top notch sonics (realism, detail, clarity, smoothness, open soundstage) regardless of musical selection (i.e., classical, jazz, new-age, rock, electronic). Extremely high build quality. Remote control is easy to follow and use. Front panel display is clearly legible from afar (unit also comes equipped with a dimmer switch if you don't want to have the diplay appear)
Weakness:
Overall aesthetics may not appeal to some. Remote control is contructed of plastic and not machined metal. My search for a CD player upgrade began many months ago and ended after home auditioning the Proceed CDP for several days. I had previously listened to both the Meridian and the Rotel (both excellent CD players in their own right but not nearly as musical as the Proceed in my personal estimation). Similar Products Used: Meridian 506.24, Rotel RCD 971 |
[Dec 04, 2000]
Fred
Audiophile
I think that the Proceed CDP is one of the most complete CD players on the market now, except for the more expensive ML nº 39. Build, technology and sound are all to Madrigal standards. It means that the CDP has a great sound, tunefull, wide and deep soundstage, smooth highs, powerfull bass and with great transparency. With all the confusion about new formats, it is certain that CD will be here for a looooooong time, and so it makes sense to invest on a good CD source. It is much better than all Sony SACD models for ex. Only SCD-1 can better it and only with selected SACD test recordings. |