CANOR CD2 VR Plus
Digital sources
Some days are painted in shades of grey and do not induce a lot of happines. This year's winter is full of them. Therefore it is very pleasing to meet the devices that bring light and joy and that make life fun again. If the rear panel says that the device is Made in Slovakia, it has my full attention.
Function and form
The 24bit/192kHz Burr-Brown PCM1792A D/A convertor and Philip's L1210/65 transport are in the heart of the player. In the player's VR version the output stage features 2x12AX7 (ECC83), 2x6922 (ECC88) and 1xEZ81 tubes. The Plus version is a bit more optimized on top of that. If you plan to use an external DAC than you will miss digital outputs on the Canor's player.
I loved the Canor's sizable dot matrix display which reminded me of that from mark Levinson or Rives Audio. The brightness of the display can be adjusted in 3 steps or the display can be switchedd off.
Bass management
The sound of the Canor player was everything but not that of a tubed device. It lacked palpability of images and impressive colours, it lacked the sweetness of highs and softness of presentation. From the very first moment the Canor let you hear that it was a digital device with slightly grainy and sizziling sound.
Was it because of the CD2 VR Plus needed a different amplification? I promptly asked Canor for a corresponding amplifier...
Clarity & delicacy
When I paired the CD2 VR Plus with the TP106 VR Plus amplifier the sound changed. It became more dynamic, more spacious and had better bass extension - still something was missing. For example, the piano in Spanish Harlem (Rebecca Pidgeon) was warm and enticing but also veiled a bit. The Rebecca's vocal was hazy and the midrange was a tad suppressed. I continued experimenting with speakers to find a line up that would bring a touch of light and clarity. That happened with Usher Dancer Mini Two speakers.
Tonal accuracy
With the Usher Dancers the soundstage opened a lot and the music started breathing. The piano in Spanish Harlem became piano again, it was now clear that it was hammered strings what made its sound. The veil was lifted up and the music became clear and focused. I dare to say that the performance had been transformed from muddy to juicy.
Spatial resolution
The low octaves were very controlled and more on the dry side rather than warm and bombastic. Yet when I was listening to a pipe organ from Julsang (Marianne Mellnäs, Stereoplay test disc) the power was definitely there.
The highs that were sizzling before became more resolved and accurate so it was possible to stop my experiments and listen to Cassandra Wilson's CD from the beginning to the end.
Recommended resellers
Manufacturer's website: http://www.canor-audio.com
Associated components
- Sources: Vincent CD S-5, Luxman D-06
- Amplifiers: Canor TP106 VR Plus, Accuphase E-450, Vincent SA-93+
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Black Rhodium Polar Oratorio, Vincent, Audioquest Pikes Peak
- Loudspeakers: Usher Mini Dancer 2
- Power conditioning: Vincent Power a Cardas Cross
Gallery
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