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need help Unpgrading from CAL Ikon MK II

My system consists of:

Audio Electronic Supply SE-1 Amp (300B tube, 7W with volume control)
Silverline Panatella II speaker (92 dB)
Cal Ikon Mk II (the old model, not the HDCD model)

I am thinking about getting a better CDP that cost no more than $1000 (used or new) and should be a substancial improvement from the Ikon II

I listen to a lot of female vocal, Jazz, some Classics and pretty much everything, but heavy metal and rap.

I am looking for something that excells in female vocal and sound stage with transparency and probably a good focuss.

I have heard a good thing about $1000 players like RegaPlanet 2000, and so on. My concern is that I am not sure if I will hear big improvement over the Ikon II that I have. I would rather stick with the Ikon 2 if the improvement is not worth spending money.

I know many people will be happily to spend a few more grands just for a little improvement in thier system, but unfortunately I don't that fatty pocket to do so. So I am looking for a best bang for the buck upgrade route.

Was thinking about Cary 308 and Arcam CD23 as well and also thinking about getting a good outboard D/A instead of a new player. Interesting on those tube output player as well (Ah!, Heart and so on)

Any thoughts on this would be really appreciated, especially for the one getting a chance to compare the Ikon Mk2 (or Ikon 2 with ouboard D/A) with other players within this price range.

Ake
ake

Showing 1 response by dekay

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,349 posts
 
Ake:

First try upgrading the power cord and level the transport tray on the Icon.

A better PC will tighten up the already full (but somewhat loose) bass and leveling the tranport will open up the HF's.

As far as the mids go the only deck that I have liked more in this area was the $10K Oracle and I consider the MkII (w/o HDCD/Power Boss) a hard act to follow.

The transport is fixed via (4) spring mounted screws and once you get the shelf leveled these can be used to further fine tune the adjustment (just be certain the the tray still clears the opening in the faceplate). Place a CD in the extended tray and place a level on the CD. If the CD tray slopes a bit downward when extended then use a small round level on the top outer housing of the tranport section instead. Also avoid tightening the tranport all the way down (even if it still clears the faceplate) as it needs to be cushioned by the springs in order to sound right. While you are in there make certain the the screws holding the circuit board are tight.

As our 1960's buidling is still settling I find that I have to relevel the shelf and transport from time to time (the same goes for the TT).
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