jimmyjames8 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Just got this in yesterday and cold right out of the box, put a big smile on my face. This thing has gobs of PRAT and I now have BASS like I never had before. BIG SOUND out of this black box. Hate to use this cliche but I am hearing things (minute details) that I never heard before. Could be a keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Congrats! I hope the ear burn-in continues to be so successful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Hmm. Digital input, albeit optical only. Nice looking, too, compared to the horrible "champagne" stablemates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postjack Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 finally, an sacdp with a digital input that doesn't cost $6000. msrp $3000. should be attractively priced used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 It's a shame it isn't balanced out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy2001 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Congratulations, that is a great looking player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiWire Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Congrats! Enjoy re-listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 It'd be interesting to know what the functional differences are with the $2200 SA-15S2 -- from which this is pretty clearly derived. Looking at the respective specs -- the only listed, non-cosmetic change is the power transformer. "Large-capacity toroidal in copper-shielded case." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark527 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 The KI Pearl website is impressive. KI Pearl by Ken Ishiwata Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrion Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Enjoy the new cdp. Look forward to hearing more impressions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjames8 Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 So far: PROS: SOUND, it's fat and super dynamic CONS: No balanced out, only toslink in, filter(s) which is really one filter on or off even though it says 1 and 2, and they are only selectable with remote and display is only on or off with remote, no dimming. OM says DO NOT CLOSE TRAY MANUALLY OR YOU WILL DAMAGE TRANSPORT...yikes. Differences between Pearl and SA 15 include: Copper chasis, supposedly upgraded components such as caps and resistors, caps are in copper cans. RCA's are machined from stock. Custom transport that is different design and materials than SA15. Solid aluminum top and bottom plate. Pearl weighs between 30 and 40lbs. Two or three more ferrite chokes on wiring inside and the zen of Ken Ishiwata. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 ... the zen of Ken Ishiwata. How do they get that out him? A copy of Shinto Audiophile, five minutes and some privacy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spritzer Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 OM says DO NOT CLOSE TRAY MANUALLY OR YOU WILL DAMAGE TRANSPORT...yikes. If you want the transport in any player to last, never push on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjames8 Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Never did as a habit on audio gear but do it as a habit on computer gear. Sometimes I drink and forget what kind of gear I am messing with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjames8 Posted June 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 First hicup this morning with the Pearl. Won't play Sonopress SACD Jazz Sampler from 2005. Display says "Can't Read" but it will play CD layer. Will have to randomly sample the 200 or so SACD's I have to see if this happens again. I know there were some issues with Sonopress SACD's in the past but this one will play on my Marantz SA11S1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disbeliever Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Black Pearl as usual like the SA-7S1 poor value No surround SACD with HDMI. More advanced and far cheaper is the superb Sony XA5400ES Kal Rubinson Stereophile says he has not heard a better SACD/CD player and I agree with him For RB CD it sounds as good as my upgraded CD94. I was very disappointed with the overweight SA-7S1 sold it after a 750 hour burn in,my buyer put it up for sale I month later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Welcome single-issue voters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Someone seems a bit obsessed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veloaudio Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Congrats on the new toy. Have you tried the optical in yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penger Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Welcome single-issue voters. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyjames8 Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Congrats on the new toy. Have you tried the optical in yet? Have not and I have been away from the Pearl for several days and if I am lucky will get a listen tonight. I am sure the toslink in will sound (almost) every bit as good as the machine itself playing a disc. Also, found it interesting that the specs say it will play MP3 and WMA encoded (read compressed) discs burned on a PC. I am sure there are other CDP's that will do this but I never noticed on any machine I ever had except for maybe one of the "throw away when it breaks" Philips cheapies. Doubt seriously I will ever use this feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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