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Neodio NR 22 Integrated CD Player

(w/mini-version of State-Of-The-Art NR22 DAC) 

 

5-Star "Reference" award from Haute Fidélité

 

Haute Fidélité

August, 2010

By: Laurent Thorin

 

 Nonconformist
Like all devices NEODIO we had the opportunity to test the NR22 is the result of reflection of total design and not the adaptation of a certain thought applied to every situation. Neodio design process is higher than usual ...

This new integrated CD player has the elegant touch of finely brushed black anodised aluminium, which contrasts with the large numbers of fluorescent display, visible from afar.

 
But beyond a formal simplicity, this device is the result of a concept in which each parameter is inherently designed to play its role within an overall development. The approach is different from most similar products. Indeed, one could say with NR22 the, NEODIO pushes his approach even further in terms of conceptualisation.

 
For each subset, Stephane Even, the designer has opted for a modern development, of original thought, based on obtaining the best result, and not focus on any audiophile tradition that could influence its path. However, he remained attentive to the major advances of the audio world, in all cases those that seemed to go in the right direction.

 

A philosophy to the test of clichés ...

NEODIO opted for the drive mechanism to be a DVD-ROM, first to ensure sustainability of supply of spare parts, and the reliability of his machine. But also because according to him, providers of mechanical dedicated exclusively to reading CDs have long ceased to be interested in a technology considered "obsolete".

 

However DVD-ROM as standard in computer are well established and are still in production by several manufacturers fully identified. In addition, Stephane Even states that DVD-ROM’s sonic performance is superior to standard CD mechanics on several criteria.

 

Thus CD reading is asynchronous with the digital stream, using a memory buffer, which provides electronic decoupling. In addition, the DVD is able to read about 8 times more information than a CD and the DVD’s red laser is inherently more accurate than the infrared laser of the CD. Finally, this platform offers the freedom to create and incorporate the control software and interface for improved ergonomics. The proof is that the remote is a creation of NR22 100% home that can also drive the amplifiers of the mark.

 

Secondly, Stephane Even gave much importance to the mechanical aspect. The level of vibration generated by the "engines" (disc rotation, and translation of the carriage servo optical block) is significant and it disrupts the entire machine through effects can be complex. Thus the quartz clock is, by nature, very sensitive to vibrations, such as ceramic decoupling capacitors for integrated circuits.

 
Therefore the design work done on the NR22 is distributed to all stages.

 

First, the DVD mechanism is completely isolated between two sheets of transparent acrylic, in this case polymethyl methacrylate (often abbreviated as PMMA, Polymethyl Methacrylate). Between each slice of PMMA and CD mechanical NEODIO placed a damping material. The bottom of the chassis is aluminium, light metal in good vibration behaviour and in addition, non-magnetic.

 

The beautiful cover (available in multiple colours) is a sandwich of three layers with a total thickness of 8 mm. NR22 and three feet semi-floating. In short, a total of five different materials are used in the mechanical composition of this player. This creates a sort of mechanical fragmentation, conducive to an efficient dissipation of vibrational energy.  

Moreover, contrary to a strongly held belief in hi-fi, a massive piece does not guarantee ideal performance. According to Stéphane Even, "is the choice of materials and quantity used that makes the difference. For when mass is added to a structure, it generally moves to other vibrational modes frequencies without making them disappear.

Electronics advanced

The digital / analog conversion has been optimised through the adoption of three-chip Crystal: a reception circuit, an up-sample asynchronous converter 24-bit, 192 kHz. Thus, the flow 16/44 from mechanics is transformed into 24/192. The advantage of this technique is that the rate of over-sampling of 192kHz allows the use of an output stage simplified whose frequency is located well beyond 20 kHz. Therefore it does not note any phase rotation in the highest range.

 
The routing of signals is of considerable importance in electronics, but more so in a CD. Prior to "drop" in the hi-fi industry, Stéphane Even acquired experience in developing industrial sensors, and electromagnetic compatibility. It uses a maximum component surface, which reduces the signal path, but also the rate of jitter. And to go even further in this field, he developed an analog clock with a very low sensitivity to vibration.

 
While quartz clocks of high precision show on paper details extremes, but they are sensitive to vibration. Their frequency can fluctuate significantly. According to Stéphane Even, the mere fact of replacing a quartz classic analog clock causes a significant decrease in the microphone effect.

The final stage is realized by an operational amplifier stereo last generation with a bandwidth extra-wide 100 MHz.

Of course, to feed the NR22, a device very specific has been implemented. It includes a toroidal transformer with an output of 150 VA and nine regulations for totally independent power supply.

Finally, the connection is rich and of excellent quality. The analog output is done by asymmetrically beautiful golden RCA, or balanced on XLR Neutrik. In the digital domain, S-PDIF output is available, and a USB input. The latter can operate your virtual club thanks to the excellent internal converter NR22.

 

Listening session

Tonal Balance
The first entries are tasted in the company of NR22 leave undeniably assumed a feeling of maturity. Yes, this machine operates in the field of ultra high-end, and that is enough.

 

First with this tonal balance that shows a beautiful fullness. The tones are both natural, and absolutely never titillating. With NR22, it remains in the description (certainly the most scrupulous), but it never falls into the interpretation by adding coloration.

 

Secondly, we will lease the tasty subject matter of these tones. Here the listening rhymes sensitivity with density. The notes of the weight, thickness, they are embodied. A violin has a very particular tone as does an electric bass. Obviously this is absolutely not the same but every instrument is reproduced in all its specificity, so that successive drives, while offering a distinct sound lighting for each disk. The listener will be fascinated by a severe soundstage that is wide and deep. And it is a very serious "analog" with its propensity to unfold with ease, but mostly to shine in the room while retaining excellent detail definition.

 

Dynamic
The NR22 requires, as we have suggested, a climate of great serenity, which does not at the speed of reaction, of course, but in reading extrovert prefers flowing melodic lines. These are drawn with perfect clarity. Impossible to note any breed confusion.

 

They grow with a beautiful clarity. Moreover, the NR22 is fully capable to offer a signal of such a temporal coherence, even at very high listening levels, the trained ear will not detect the slightest breach in the pace of registration. Ditto for the highest octaves in the high frequencies pass clearly. Still remarkably dynamic, this player is playing all styles and training.

Soundstage
The NR22 excels in the delicate art of putting into perspective. He has forged a spatial framework of a rare homogeneity and a large scale.

But beyond that, he knows to be precise.  

For if the image is assessed for its depth, it tastes as to its accuracy and thoroughness with which it is deployed. The background sound is very clear and, as is the specific place of musicians depending on the azimuth. The NR22 faithfully recreates the structure of the soundstage.

Transparency
The NR22 guarantees an excellent level of sophistication through its highly detailed analysis of each musical sound component.

 

On the one hand it is well defined, but it is also neutral, because his sense of precision is evident in all records with the same measure.

 

Whether in the lowest octaves where it clearly shows the subtle interplay of bass, or treble, which he knows safely dissects the specificities of small low level information pronunciation of the sibilants in particular, it retains a clear and balanced sound.

Verdict
The avowed aim was to make NEODIO NR22 one of the very best CD players integrated in the top class, and we must say that on this plan, the bet is successful. This is a player designed in its entirety with a keen sense of engineering and very good ideas, modern and original. It is certainly less known than the established brands, but it is no less deserving. And as such, the NR22 will undoubtedly belong in the finest hi-fi systems! 

 

● Manufacturing Quality: 5
● Tonal Accuracy: 5
● Dynamics: 5

● Image/Soundstage: 5
● Transparency/Detail: 5

 

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