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Instruction Manual Covering:
CDX 2 Compact Disc Player
Contents
1 Introduction & Final Inspection
2 Set Up Guide
3 Connecting inputs & outputs
4 Getting the best performance
5 Trouble Shooting
6 Valve Replacement
7 Specifications
8 Guarantee
9 Packing Instructions
1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the
CDX2
. This
advanced CD player uses the latest digital
technology to decode the optical digital signal
coming from the laser pickup, using 192 kHz
upsampling and 24 bit resolution. That is where any
similarity to other CD players ends. David Shaw and
the Icon team have always felt that the potential
sonic benefits of the Compact Disc have rarely been
realised compared with many of the CD players on
the market today, many are technically excellent but
are often “lack-lustre” and mechanical sounding,
whereas we believe that a CD player should be
similar to our unique pure valve vinyl phono pre
amps with a vivid layered and textured quality that
keeps you wanting “more”! So the CDX2 not only
needs to be technically good but to have the warm
relaxed easy listening analogue sonic qualities that
are so hard to achieve from the somewhat dated
1977 Philips/Sony Compact Disc system.
So after creating the initial design for the CDX2
many hours were spent auditioning different
combinations of valves and components in order to
achieve the desired results. It was self-evident that a
good digital decoding system is pre requisite to good
performance, but the analogue output stage rarely
gets a mention. We feel that this final link in the
audio chain is vital to audiophile performance and as
such a well-designed valve stage will enhance the
sound quality of the previous circuitry.
The excellent ECC82 also known as 12AU7 is used
as the output valve. The “son” of the venerable
6SN7 double triode probably the best sounding hi fi
valve ever. Its warm tonal balance is an excellent
counter to some of the less desirable characteristics
that digital systems present. It is very reliable and
long lasting to maintain performance.
You will notice that the weight of the CDX2 is
heavier and more solid than many other players
using alloy plate and heavy gauge steel this is to
provide mechanical stability and dampen unwanted
resonances.
The CDX2 is hand built using carefully selected
audiophile components. The transformers are hand
wound using low oxygen copper and long grain iron.
Finally
each
player
is
valved,
carefully
commissioned and tweaked for best performance in
Leicester UK.
In order to get the best out of your CDX2, please
read the enclosed notes. Even if you are
experienced with hi fi
please read the ‘quick set up
guide’.
Should you be uncertain about anything
please contact your dealer or us for advice.
Valve equipment does need a little more attention
than its solid-state counterparts, such as
occasionally replacing the valve but the sonic results
are more than worth it. In this manual we have tried
to include everything that you need to know.
IMPORTANT!
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
FOR THE HEALTH & SAFETY
OF YOUR CDX2. PLEASE
READ & KEEP SAFE AND
REFER TO IF NECESSARY
