Κώστας Φ.
Truth hurts. Here's a teddy bear.
- Μηνύματα
- 8.978
- Reaction score
- 895
Yeah baby!... :bravo:
Έλα να σκάνε μύτη σιγά-σιγά... :happy_9:
Τί σας θυμίζει έτσι όπως το βλέπεται ανοιχτό? :happy_8:
According to Zero One's website, "The Mercury CD/HD Player combines the functions of the Ti48 CD/HD transport and an internal DAC based on the Ar38 design so that it will function as a standalone CD and hard-disk audio player. As with the Ti48, the Mercury has a software-enabled upsampling processor built-in that allows users to choose the sampling frequency and digital filter. The internal connection to the on-board DAC uses our custom I²S link and the sampling frequency can be set at various rates (e.g. 48kHz, 176.4kHz) up to a maximum of 192kHz. An S/PDIF (coaxial) output is also available and when using this connection to an external DAC, the Mercury can transfer data up to a maximum sampling rate of 24-bit/96kHz.
"The digital filter choices allow you to tailor the sound to your system or room to some degree. There are five filter options ranging from "no filter" to "brick wall". In addition, there are various dither options which help to optimize the performance of some DACs when the S/PDIF connection is used. The Mercury has 250GB of standard hard-disk capacity which enables it to save nearly 400 hours of uncompressed CD data. The Mercury can store either an entire CD or selected tracks. These can be organized according to artist or album name. Using these classifications, play lists can be created containing preferred tracks. The Mercury has a database that recognizes the album titles, track and artist names of nearly 2,000,000 CDs. This database can be easily updated with a CD-ROM (available from Zero One). The DAC section of the Mercury is based on the Ar38's DAC design, with multi-bit DAC architecture, fully regulated power supplies and a single-ended, zero feedback, discrete (no opamps in the signal path) output stage."
...
In conclusion and minor foibles aside, I was impressed with the Mercury. It is the first hard drive-based playback component that I can heartily recommend and wouldn't mind owning myself. I could obtain whatever presentation I wanted via the plethora of playback settings and managing my software library was indeed a breeze. While I admire Zero One Audio's approach, my crystal ball indicates that they might want to consider adding a wireless and/or hardwire network link. While CDs will be around for some time yet, the future of music distribution is surely via the internet, hopefully DRM free with a choice formats including high-rez 24/192. In my perfect little audio-nerd world, I could download an album onto my computer along with liner notes, photos and other additional content, send the recording to a unit like the Mercury via wireless or cable, then disable the link for maximum sonics and either read the liner notes on my laptop or print out a hard copy. That way I can keep the computer hardware away from my music system and maintain the user flexibility and superior playback sonics of hard drives. It is a dream I nurture e but alas, based on the recording industry's activities of late, I'm not holding my breath for high-rez downloads.
Full Review: 6moons.com
