CARAT C57
Digital sources
The French Carat represents the entry level of audio players. It is a well-thought device that performs better than its low asking price tag suggests and as such it has our highest recommendation.
Function and form
The Carat C57 player is designed to form a unity with Carat's A57 amplifier and T57 tuner. The selected internal components show serious interest of the producer in sound: one Burr-Brown 24bit/96Hz PCM1732 D/A converter, two OPA2134 op-amplifiers. The power is transformed by a single 35VA toroid that is common for both analogue and digital sections. There is another small transformer that powers up the control circuits and the display unit. The C57 provides an unusual touch - the HDCD decoder that is activated automatically when appropriate material is played back (like Reference Recordings stuff, for example). The analog outputs are only single-ended (RCA), the digital are only coaxial. The main switch is on the player's rear panel so if you plan to build it in consider it.
Bass management
Clarity & delicacy
Tonal accuracy
Spatial resolution
The Carat C57 did not floored me with dynamic capabilities, super extended highs or subterranean lows. However, it performed great in the mids that were smooth, liquid and resolved, similarly to the Musical Fidelity A5 that we had reviewed recently. The C57 was less resolved, less punchy and less airy than the A5, though. But it was half of its price too. What both the players have in common is the sheer musicality and enthusiasm - that is how the C57 manages to conquer similarly priced Denon DCD1500AE or Creek Destiny that sounded way too much 'digital'.
Recommended resellers
Excelia HiFi, Chrudim, tel. +420 724 00 77 44
Manufacturer's website: http://www.carat-audio.com
Associated components
- Amplifiers: NAD C372
- Interconnects and speaker cables: DH Labs Q10 a DH Labs Silversonic
- Loudspeakers: NHT Model Four
Gallery
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