- Plays audio CDs, MP3 CDs and WAV file CDs
- CD TEXT and ID3 tag support
- Continue, Random and Program play modes
- >/< 12% pitch control (analog outputs only)
- RCA and Optical S/PDIF digital out
Buy TASCAM CD200 Recording Studio Equipment Now
I just got my CD200 and wanted to write a much more in depth review then most have, to really give the end user some info about this machine in use.I have to say I really do like how this player sounds, Note to anyone that for some reason may think this is a recorder, it is in fact a player and has only outputs. If a player is what you are looking for please continue reading my review.
All testing was done on my set of Energy Monitors made in Canada, a Carver M500t, and a Classic Urei 1620 as the mixer preamp set completely flat. This should give you a good idea of the sound to expect.
Lets get right to the sound, so how does this player sound, I would have to say it has a very smooth high end with a really punchy well defined mid and bottom. The D/A Converter in this machine sounds nice and clean. Very similar to what I loved about my classic Natural Sound Yamaha's and that I have not found in other machines.
Even recordings that sound harsh on other players example: "Super Tramp Breakfast In America" sound smooth and pleasing to this reviewers ear, yet not muted nor muddy in any way, Well recorded vocals have a nice open out in front presence. Piano on Tori's CD "Boys For Pele" sounds very natural and maintains great depth and definition without a cluttered bottom.
I have also been putting it through some of the simple tests I use to see how accurately a CD Player can cue tracks with little to no servo slop. My favorite CD for this challenge is the Led Zep album from 1969 titled Led Zeppelin, why you ask would this prove anything? well I am going to tell you, yes there is a method to my madness.
This CD is a problem for most CD Players that I have used over the years, because of the way 2 tracks were mastered so tightly together that unless the machine could determine the exact beginning of the song "Dazed And Confused" it would play a quarter second of the last note in the song "You Shook Me". My original high end Yamaha CD2000's passed this cue test no problem where most would fail.
Why is this a big deal? The reason is, because this would be totally unacceptable in a pro set up. For example if this was used to cue a song at a Radio Station, Play or Studio. We would want the player to start the track at the exact second, if not it will sound like an audio glitch for some Tracks.
The reason why I wanted to point this out is for some that may use this in a pro setting it is extremely accurate at cuing tracks. I see no mention of this in the few reviews listed here or anywhere else. In fact it excels in this. You cant expect this from just any consumer deck. They are not created equal at all and were not designed to do so. If cuing accuracy is important this is a great choice.
Build quality, some say build is really good. My opinion is average build, and could be a lot better. Yes I am very picky about my gear.
For the money it is acceptable. My comparison on this is based on many other Tascam products I also own where the build fit and finish is much higher. I do not like the overly bright LCD based display at all and feel this was a big mistake on Tascam's part to choose such a display. Really a nice easy to read at any angle standard florescent display would have been the best choice in my opin. I will try and find a way to make this a lot dimmer and am surprised that no dimmer control is provided to set this to your own taste, as Oppo has done with there Blu-Ray decks.
This is nit picking but the logo badge is not in perfect alignment with the model number and it should be, this shows lack of attention to detail. The front panel should be the same epoxy finished aluminum as past products were built with, not plastic as this is.
The remote is really cheep in look and feel, they should have provided a much nicer remote and have skimped on this big time, looks and feels very generic no weight at all even with the batteries installed.
I feel those corners shouldn't have been cut in a pro type deck. Considering some consumer decks still use nice real aluminum face plates. The rotary controls are not of the same Tascam HQ that I am used to, they feel a little flimsy and have play in them. Not the norm for any Tascam I have ever owned. My 122 MK2 controls are rock solid in comparison and still work like new.
The overall cabinet build is better with a fairly thick steel chassis that feels pretty solid considering how most products are built today.
Again I feel the sound is excellent and the cue capability of the transport is very accurate, so on this it is a great buy. I just wish they would have paid more attention to detail and provided a much better display, or at the very least a way to dim this immensely bright LCD display.
If someone has a mod and knows how to dim the display without a lot of fuss please do comment.
Read Best Reviews of TASCAM CD200 Recording Studio Equipment Here
I an using the CD200 as the transport for an Anedio D2 DAC. Sound quality is superb. Excellent imaging, PRAT and transient response. Very natural reproduction of classical music. Very easy to use and well made to pro standards. As an old broadcast GM, I know the difference between consumer and pro build quality. This is pro. Highly rated!Want TASCAM CD200 Recording Studio Equipment Discount?
Item advertised and sold as a recorder.It is NOT a recorder and is clearlystated on the item CD PLAYER.
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