Κώστας Φ.
Truth hurts. Here's a teddy bear.
- Μηνύματα
- 8.978
- Reaction score
- 895
"North Star Design uses the Philips L1210 CD transport, a mechanism that is known for its dependability and good performance. Guiseppe Rampino, the company's president, explained that similar to his Extremo DAC, the Sapphire CD player utilizes Burr-Brown PCM1796 chips to achieve 24-bit/192kHz resolution. The analog stage is designed with the same structure as the Extremo DAC's -- double balanced with one stereo digital-to-analog converter per channel."
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All's well that ends well
At this point, it will come as no surprise that I enjoyed my time with this Italian CD player. When playing recordings on the North Star Design Sapphire, it was as if the proverbial veil was lifted and the true sound and emotion of the music was exposed. With poorly produced recordings, the Sapphire was merciless, and I could clearly hear all of the imperfections, including any badly managed compression and dubbing. However, its sonic accuracy and transparency were tempered with a smoothness and refinement that are uncommon among many of the CD players that I have heard to date. The unit's visual aesthetics are unique, with its pleasingly subtle faceplate.
In a fairly crowded field of CD players at the $2500 price point, the North Star Design Sapphire is definitely a first-rate offering and one you shouldn't overlook. I find it to be a well-conceived design with a well-balanced sonic character. It is a straightforward component that does everything well without obviously cutting any sonic corners. Automobiles are one of Italy's best-known exports, and my suggestion is that you take this Italian racer for a test drive."
Full Review: Soundstage!
