andi wrote:
With my lowly Marantz, I could close my eyes and be drawn into the music. Not so with the Copland.
I've tried to relax and let go but it ain't happening. With Stuff like Kate Bush's Arial its stunning. Female vocal, simple folk and Jazz and its great, better than great but rhythmic rock losses something and can become a little tiresome. Guess you can't have everthing
.
Guys,
I mentioned this trait
(harder and more forceful edge) in the other thread about Copland (see below quote). By harder & more forceful, I did not mean brittle. I simply meant that with the wrong amplifier, the Copland CDA-266 can be a hard listen as it appears to throws the details at one butappears forget about the music. However, partner it with a solid state amp like the Primare A30.1 or a good valve amplifier and its faults become its advantages. In terms of cables, don't go overboard. Instead look towards the synergy between the CDA-266 & your amplifier. IMO, cables won't help although you could try Cardas if your belief system is that way inclined.
As for the CDA-288, that was not one of Copland's best efforts and I personally think that the CDA-277 that preceeded it was better. Hence the reason Copland brought out the CDA-289 to make-up for the CDA-288's shortcomings. Now here's the rub. If looking at older Coplands, the CDA-266 can be good if partnered well. But if you want good bass, the details and music, then go for the CDA-277 or even better by a good margin, the CDA-289 otherwise you will be making those cable merchants richer that they have any right to be.
Lawrie wrote in previous Copland thread:
Also, the 266 has a harder and more forceful edge to its sound than all the other Copland CDPs. So if you do get it, partner carefully but then it all depends on how you like your music. For my tastes, I passed on it after comparing it head to head with the Copland CDA-289. I went on to partner the CDA-289 with the Copland CSA-28 hybrid amp (splendid sounding amplifier) and Sonus Faber Signum speakers
Enjoy the musicâ„¢
Lawrie