Page 61 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

due to its on-chip dual DACs. Easy punchier but not an option with the
going yet with nice dynamic push, D2.
Cyndee Peter’s warbling slightly
too far back in my view, due to the CONCLUSION
mixing, not this player; Eric Burdon’s Cowon’s pocketable Plenue D2 sets
original was grittier. performance standards in digital
I couldn’t resist connecting the – remarkable for such as small,
2.5mm balanced output jack direct unassuming device. I found it fast to
to the balanced inputs of our Creek start, fast in response to screen inputs
Evolution 100A amplifier and thence and easy to use. It lacks digital output
on to Martin Logan ESL-X hybrid or input, being a basic player for
electrostatic loudspeakers to see headphones, although both headphone
how it fared acting as a high quality jacks will drive a hi-fi system via
balanced analogue source. It retained analogue connection via adaptor leads,
its sense of creamy smoothness, with the player working from 5V USB
if with the soft bass digital players power supply. In this fashion it can be
usually exhibit from their battery seen as an alternative to a CD player
power supplies; digital connection – one also able to play hi-res digital.
into a mains powered DAC is A fine player then, well worth its price.
An options screen shows ability
to alter play speed!

and easy, yet lively all the same, Stevie
Nick’s vocals rising out from the rock
melee behind her.
Popping in a micro-SD card
loaded with DSD, rather than my
card of selected PCM review tracks, I
was greeted by better DSD rendition
than usual; Cirrus Logic have nailed
this one. The CS43131 smooths PCM
to DSD presentation in this player,
but Diana Krall’s Narrow Daylight
(DSD64) edged it out as easier, The 2.5mm 4pole balanced output jack can drive a balanced
clearer and more fluid in progress. amplifier input through XLR plugs. This is our test adaptor.
Cyndee Peter’s singing House of
New Orleans (.dsf, DSD
128) had strikes against a triangle MEASURED PERFORMANCE
ringing sweetly in one of my ears, Output measured 2V from the 3.5mm jack. This is enough to go loud with
and cymbal strokes with a brush unbalanced headphone jack, and 4V all headphones, even high impedance
obvious in the other. This track has from the 2.5mm balanced headphone types. It is also correct for driving a hi-fi
hard left and right images and the D2 amplifier’s line input: the D2 can be used
reproduced them strongly, perhaps FREQUENCY RESPONSE as a ‘CD player’ in effect. COWON PLENUE
Distortion values (24bit, -60dB) D2 £259.00
were exceptionally low, just 0.008% £
from 3.5mm out, and 0.005% from the
2.5mm out (balanced). As a result EIAJ OUTSTANDING - amongst
Dynamic Range values were 128dB and the best.
133dB respectively, a stringent way of
confirming Cowon’s claimed SNR value VALUE - keenly priced.
of 130dB. These are exceptional figures, VERDICT
ahead of all hi-fi DACs. Advanced digital performance
DISTORTION Frequency response (192kHz sample and smooth sound from a tiny
rate) measured flat from 5Hz to 84kHz player. Recommended.
with the Fast filters and just slightly less
with the Slow filters; there was little FOR
difference to the amplitude response. - sound quality
- superb DSD
The Plenue D2 delivers impressive - small size
measured performance, ahead of all - clear screen
other players – and most hi-fi DACs too.
NK AGAINST
- no manual volume control
- no digital output
Frequency response (-1dB) - small touch areas
4Hz-84kHz
The track data screen identifies Distortion (-60dB) 0.005% Advanced MP3 players
data format type – DSD here as Dynamic range 133dB +44 (0)343 289 6880
'1bits' with a .dsf file header. Output (unbalanced/bal) 2V / 4V www.advancedmp3players.co.uk

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 61