From: sandiway@research.nj.nec.com (Sandiway Fong)
Subject: Pioneer Elite CLD-95: First impressions, mainly audio
Originator: sandiway@gb
Reply-To: sandiway@research.nj.nec.com
Organization: NEC Research Institute
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 92 22:13:44 GMT


The Pioneer Elite CLD-95 is a high-end laserdisc player that also plays
CDs.

One question that I posted last week asked whether the CD section was
any good. I am in the process of trying to assemble a good audio/video
system and I was wondering whether I should budget for a separate player
for CDs only.

On the basis of strong recommendations from several netters on the
quality of the video section, I picked up one yesterday (mine was
actually manufactured in Oct 92). I'm told it lists for $2000, but I
paid a total of $1299.99 at a local dealer. Elite players have 3 year
cycles, the CLD-95 is now in its 2nd year, so I don't believe it's
supposed to be replaced very soon. I stayed up all night trying it out,
mainly listening to CDs.  I thought I'd post my first impressions while
they're still fresh in my mind.

Hardware: Surprisingly heavy for a laserdisc player. It seems very well
made, e.g. die-cast metal chassis, although I haven't diassembled it yet
(a project for this weekend I guess). The IR remote does not have a very
wide field of "vision", I had to basically point it at the player for
the shuttle dial to work well. BTW, the shuttle dial is very convenient
with CDs too. Very intuitive to use, but I have various degrees in
computer science from MIT, so this comment is (probably) essentially
meaningless. :-)

Video: On a first look, I'm pretty happy so far, given the limitations
of the NTSC system and the fact that (of the monitors I have) I've only
got a 20" Sony Trinitron to try it on.  If I hadn't seen better formats
--- unfortunately I have many times, I would be extremely happy. I going
to wait for the weekend to rent some laserdiscs to test all of the
features --- I only own CAV discs.

Audio: This where I spent most of my first 24 hours with the player.
Unfortunately, despite getting many interesting responses, nobody had
actually compared the CLD-95 with a regular player like the Theta(s).
Obviously, I don't have a Theta (yet), so this post won't resolve my
original question.

The CLD-95 is a 20bit/8x player (not sure about last part, don't have
the info right here). Currently, I have an old (non-descript) second
generation Sony CD player. Given the difference in generations, the
CLD-95 should be much better, right? Well, yes and no.

The immediate (5 second) impression was that the sound was much more
forward and the bass was much improved on the CLD-95. There are three
caveats here: (1) I only have Celestion SL6 speakers; (2) it takes 2
people with both players in another room to do a proper blind test
(being a scientist I'm very uncomfortable about drawing conclusions
without this, but logistical problems got in the way); and (3) although
I'm a classical music fan, I used contemporary music to do this informal
test. (I need the weekend to do the classical music part.) However, I
have listened to the most of the stuff I used for more than 10 years
(often on a daily basis) on many systems, so I'm pretty familiar with
the material.

More closely, the CLD-95 is much better in the following areas:

1. Imaging. For the 1st on digital (as opposed to analog) sources on my
system, the soundstage is actually pretty wide. On the Sony, it shrinks
to a smallish area only inbetween the speakers. Also, instruments don't
wander around as much. Instruments are more distinct too, for example,
two accompanying guitars were easily separable whereas they tended to
blur (or not call attention to their distinctness) on my old Sony. I
don't know about depth, though. Probably, my program material was
inadequate.

2. As far as I could tell, bass was much stronger and bass transients
felt more crisp. This was the most noticeable change.

3. On quiet passages, I heard things more clearly and my attention was
brought to more peripheral instrumentation, I *think*. Entirely
subjective, I know: perhaps I was looking out for these things, I tried
consciously to relax, but I don't know if I succeeded.

Basically, in every respect, the Elite player was either about the same
or better. So I should safely conclude that CD players have obviously
advanced in 6 years. However, if I were to relax and just enjoy music,
probably I would use the Sony. Why?

Well, despite qualitative improvements, basically the CLD-95 was too
forward, i.e. bright. Both right at the start of my session and when
dawn finally broke. It's very fatiguing to listen to. I wouldn't be
relaxed. It's such a shame, I prefer the CLD-95 wrt. all other criteria.

To confirm, I used some female vocals from material I'm only moderately
familiar with ("Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera). I believe there
was way too much (very noticeable) sibilance from Sarah Brightman on
that track and there was even a fair amount of sibilance from Michael
Crawford later on. My reference is that I have heard Ms. Brightman on
those songs live, but that probably doesn't count since for all I know
the sibilance could be an artifact of the recording that is just there
and the CLD-95 was just faithfully reproducing it.

Anyhow that's my first impressions. I'd be interested to hear any
comments you have. Based on auditions a number of years back,
eventually, I think I'll end up with a Krell (or clone)/Apogee setup. I
wonder if the CLD-95 can cut it in that kind of a system. Also, what do
people think of the Apogees for video use? Maybe I can reuse my SL6s as
rear surround speakers.

[As an aside, I've found the best thing you can do to get the best of
out an existing hi-fi system is to *buy* the biggest house you can with
nice (non-awkward), big rooms.  My speakers have been used in many
different situations over the years, and although the tonal quality is
relatively consistent --- the SL6s have a distinct coloration I've grown
to recognise anywhere and like, the freedom from having room to maneuver
and place speakers (and selectively eliminate furniture) has resulted in
the biggest improvement I've heard. This is also why I've waited until
now to buy a decent system. Go out right now and buy a house first! And
you can listen to music at any volume you like until dawn without the
cops calling!]

Thanks,

Sandiway

---
Dr. Sandiway Fong
NEC Research Institute Inc.
4 Independence Way
Princeton NJ 08540

(609) 951-2733
(609) 951-2482 (FAX)