Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    I finally received a brochure of OMS-4A and OMS-3A from Nakamichi last
    night.   According to the literature, the both models are nearly identical
    in appearance and construction. Salient features are:

	Common Features:

	o 2X oversampling
	o 16 bit digital filtering
	o 16 bit D/A conversion
	o 3-beam tracking
	o Shunt-connected deglitching circuit (whatever that means)
	o 15-program memory
	o Dual-speed cueing
	o Wireless remote
	o Headphone output with level control
	o Dimensions:	430mm (W) x 100mm (H) x 322mm (D)
			16-15/16" x 3-15/16"  x 12-11/16"


	Differences:

	OMS-4A				OMS-3A

	Dual DAC			Single DAC
	Discrete analog section		IC op amps
	S/N		= 97 dB		95 dB
	Dynamic Range	= 94 dB		92 dB
	THD @1 KHz	= .005%		.006%



    Both models are available at Waltham Camera & Stereo in Waltham,
    Mass. as well.

    Masamichi

    
       Last night I had an opportunity to hear the new Nak for an extended
    listen .  We were at my friends place, listening on B&W 801 speakers,
    Audio Research D70 amp, DBsystems preamp and both the old Nakamichi
    OMS5 and the new OMS7II .  The old OMS5 and 7 were identical except
    for remote control and programmability .
       First, we turned them on and just listened to the new one for
    a while, the amplifier and speakers were both new .  We were educating
    our ears to several new things at once, and decided that extended
    listening was the only way to be able to tell anything about the
    CD players .  After an hour or so of listening primarily to the
    new Nak only, I was able to detect, quite clearly, the difference.
       These differences are RELATIVELY subtle .  By that, I mean that
    they would probably not be clearly audible on my old Hafler amplifier.
       The midrange and high end are much sweeter and cleaner, bells
    have a longer ringing and more rich harmonics .  Strings have more
    detail and, for the first time, I think I can hear the sound of
    the violin, not just the strings, but the sound of it's wooden case.
    The ambience of the hall seems to be much more audible .  The bass
    is clean, detailed and seems to go right through the floor .  The
    older Nak was nice, this one is phenominal .
       I caution that for most people who own reasonably good systems,
    you may not notice a difference between the units .  This means
    that the closeout deals on older Naks would be a bargain .  If you
    own a Tube amp or one of the esoteric solid state amps, this machine
    will be a step up .
    
        Some technical details:
    The information that came with the unit is quite uninformative,
    operating instructions only .  They do provide a few teasers for
    the technocrats though .  There seem to be two innovations in this
    version of their player :
    
    		- Optically coupled D/A converter (not the laser that
    			reads the disk)
                  
    		- Digital Deglitching (they gave no explanation - except
    			that it follows the DAC and is also a single
    			chip .
    
       I will be doing more listening tests tonight, but the score so
    far has the new Nak well in the lead . (this is unfortunate, because
    it costs $1695 retail - although Tweeter said $1500 for the 7II
    and $1300 for the 5II).
    
    Regards,
    Jon
    

       This Weekend there was another listening test comparing the new
    Nak with the old Nak and a newcomer - a Musical Concepts modified
    Magnavox player .  While we were able to distinguish the difference
    between the two Naks, the modified Magnavox was indestinguishable
    from the new 16 bit Nak .  It is possible that some deficiency in
    the system might be masking any differences, but the fact remains,
    a $480 player from MC equals the $1500 top of the line Nak within
    the limits of our system and ears .  Not only that, but it beats
    the old Nak which is selling for about $650 while they phase out
    the old models .
    
       I will be sending off my money to MC very shortly .  The Magnavox
    may not be much to look at, but beauty is only skin deep .  The
    Nakamichi units look like they will survive armaggedon, the close
    out deals on the older units might be decent value per pound of
    machine, but if you want the best CD sound around at reasonable
    prices (or even unreasonable prices), talk to MC .
    
    Regards,
    Jon
    

         Well, I took the advice from this note and bought the OMS-5
    (old version) recently ($599).  I'm very happy with the sound,
    but am wondering about the differences between the OMS-5, 5II,
    and 5IIA.
    
    While it's reassuring to hear that there are no changes in the audio
    path :-) can anyone shed any light on the differences, other than
    what has already been said here (which has been very helpful).
    
    I don't think anyone has mentioned the OMS-5IIA in this file.
    Also, how about the "digital deglitching"?  Anyone find out
    what this is all about?
    
    I'm curious because I can "upgrade" to one of the newer models if
    there is a significant difference, but I *do* like what I hear.
    
    Jim

I have an OMS5E which is a "mistake".  They are modified 50 hz models that
were destined to be sold in Europe but got sent to the US.  It was cheaper
to modify them than to send them to Europe.  I walked into Tweeter to
browse and walked out with an OMS5!

						Tim