Remarkably quiet ;-)
Richard - So how is your new Isis performing?
Been too busy listening to my CDs!!
Its very early days but the bottom line is that I am impressed and very happy. No buyers remorse just a quiet contentment of having made a good choice.
Of course there are many other fine players out there (that I have never and will never hear) but this one really works for me in terms of greater musical enjoyment plus provides nice add-ons such as product longevity, understated styling and what looks like excellent build quality (on the outside and presumably on the inside too).
Starting with the less important aspect, the unit looks great in the flesh and the packaging is confidence inspiring. Perhaps I have read it somewhere but it looks like stealth-like i.e. expensive, focused, advanced tech, durable. In contrast the remote control is a bit "blocky" and almost too heavy. Surely an opportunity for a mark 2 version!
I received the Isis late on Thursday afternoon and plugged it in straightaway to make sure all was well. Took me ages to find the power switch - even thought about calling the dealer. It looks like part of the trim. Once spotted its obvious but in my rush to get going I just couldn't see it. Idiot.
First impressions pretty good. A meatier and weightier sound. More bass and greater bass impact - not bass heavy or deliberately tipped in that direction just more bandwidth. Good start.
Sadly had to cut listening short as was due to meet old mate in town for beers ...
Restarted listening at 11am with hangover still lingering. More importantly in a better frame of mind - relaxed and just listening for enjoyment.
All other benefits very quickly apparent - can hear more of everything. Subtle but important intonations from singers, clarity of vocals, sophistication of players, wider and deeper soundstage etc etc. I am a numbers not a words person so its not easy to offer a fulsome description but I would say that the upgrade means that all CDs tried to date almost sound as they are different takes of the same music but with musicians and singers putting a little bit more into their performance - effort, skills, interpretation. I guess that sounds a little bit over the top. To be clear its not night and day but its certainly a marked and very worthwhile improvement. I can hear more but in a balanced and relaxed way. That makes each performance more interesting, realistic and enjoyable.
As others will have noted with their own successful upgrades, there is a wonderful side effect in that some of the album tracks that I have previously skipped over, now make more sense and I have enjoyed listening to them too. In that way, I have effectively expanded my music collection.
My first hifi system was a Rega Planar 3, NAD 3020 and AR18s (I still have the Rega). In a later system iteration I bought a pair of Mk 1 ELAs (with the fully fluted fronts and the Royd drivers, I think). Both those Rega products brought me much enjoyment and represented excellent value for money. This Isis already makes me feel the same way.
I will work through the rest of my favourite CDs over the coming weeks. I am looking forward to it.
