March 6, 2011

• dCS Puccini, Part 23

  While "Jessie's Girl" may be the general public's favorite Rick Springfield song, my neighbors and I loved [the Sammy Hagar-penned] "I've Done Everything For You."  The kid from up the block, Curtis, would come running down the hill, singing this song.  While the American general public was all about wolfing down as much food as possible, it was Curtis' mom who urged us to exercise more maturity.  She told us that life is better, when you value quality over quantity.  She told us about choosing higher quality, fresher ingredients.  She told us about presentation.  She told us about manners, and savoring your food.  She even told us to appreciate the plates, silverware, and cups.

  There's a parallel here.  Audiophiles are like the common American, lacking in maturity, patience, poise, class, and wisdom.  Over the past few years, as I have covered digital gear from Arcam, CAL, Cambridge Audio, Classe', dCS, Esoteric, Krell, Mark Levinson, Simaudio, and Wadia, a few of the good-mannered audiophiles e-mailed me about putting such players on high-quality shelves, or at least on anti-vibration devices. 
  
  So does the dCS Puccini change any, when placed on the Composite Products' acrylic CF-2030 shelf?  Well, the shiny aluminum of the Puccini and clear acrylic of the CF-2030 make for some very difficult photography.
  
  When I had my Hokubei Mainichi route through Japantown, I'd think about Curtis' mom extolling the virtues of savoring high-quality dining.  One of my customers was the Ikebana Ikebono society.  Somewhat related to bonsai, this place presented floral arrangements in minimalist fashion.  Ikebana Ikebono is NOT about cramming as many flowers as you can into a vase.  And you know what?  This reminds me of what happens, when the Puccini is placed on the CF-2030.
  
  The sound seems tamped down, as if some of the music's exuberance has been dissipated.  "I've Done Everything For You" appears to have less swagger and energy.  But please be mature, and listen carefully.  You'll find that the imaging has tightened, and is more firmly anchored.  Because of this, it can appear that the music isn't as vibrant.  There is now more control over transients.  So again, it can seem as if the performance's electricity has been taken down.  Subjectively, the music is quieter, which can give the impression that it is deader.  But listen deeply, and you'll find that there is more precision.  In short-term listening, you might reject or dispel the Puccini's new performance.  But in longer-term listening, the sense of calm, refinement, and maturity can grow on you.  It may not be as engaging and uplifting, but the new sound, at times, can really suck you in.        
  

  • 11:37 pm
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