Tangent CD II CD Player,Black

Product Information

Initially using the Bluetooth connection and running into Polk’s Signature S15e speaker, the Ampster BT II sounds extremely good. A Tidal stream of The Cinematic Orchestra’s A Caged Bird/Imitations Of Life has pleasing energy and impact. The Tangent works well with the Polk’s naturally upbeat presentation and combines to produce a performance that’s weighty enough to convince but never at the expense of struggling with the timing of more complex compositions. Channeling 2 x 50W of power per channel, inputs and outputs can be found on the rear. Connections include RCA line-in, sub-out, external IR, 3.5mm aux, optical-in, USB charge port and speaker terminals with a Bluetooth receiver extending out. There’s also an on/off switch for disconnecting the BT II from the mains. Bluetooth is of the aptX variety.

Finally, as a test of flexibility, I dismantled the system and set it up again in my TV room where I ran the optical out from the TV into the Ampster. The results were as expected. The DALI/Tangent combo did a fine job as a 2.0 TV set up, and I could see lots of people integrating it into a modest media room installation, and adding a small powered subwoofer too.Haven't set it up yet, but if all goes well my CXA60 and phono stage could be on the classifieds very soon! The only area where I'm thinking I will be disappointed is Spotify over Chromecast. On the CXA60 I was taking a optical connection to the amp and then using the cambridge dac instead of the basic dac within the chromecast. I presume the chromecast dac will be pants, but lets see how that goes. Tangent’s CD player II is a multi-format digital CD player that’s compatible with all current CD formats. It has regular line-outputs plus digital optical outputs for connection to a higher quality or digital amp. It is also designed to produce lossless connectivity to any HI-FI system. Remote control

All three units are designed to enhance each other and can be controlled with one remote control. You might want to connect the system to Tangents X4 or X5 speakers and even an active Sub for an even bigger sound. Tangent Ampster BT II The CD II plays CD’s with all current formats, including homemade MP3 files. The digital optical and regular line-outputs are designed to produce lossless connectivity to the HI-FI II.

Scores

The front panel is simple and uncluttered, with a row of LED indicators in the centre for Bluetooth, CD optical, tuner line-in and aux inputs. To the right of these is a dial for changing the volume or switching inputs. I’d found instructions on the web from Mac expert Kirk McElhearn, on how to rip a CD to a single file using iTunes. It’s one of those hidden features that has been there since the year dot, but I’d never needed it until now; why would I?

Much as Tangent would like you to go CD, the true calling of that input is for two rather more modern roles. The first is that the Ampster is a fine partner to boost the sound of a flatscreen TV - and one that comes in at price more in keeping with the outrageous bargains that seem to crop up routinely in the world of soundbars. That inbuilt ability to work out of sight allows the Tangent to be hidden away so you can have a nice clean install of the TV and a pair of speakers and, potentially, very smart it will look too. The small matter of the Masterchef final was entrusted to the Tangent and the Polks and a very fine job they did too. The second generation of Tangent’s Ampster BT amplifier offers streaming via Bluetooth or you can connect your device using an AUX cable. Digital and analogue line inputs, a sub-output and USB charging ports are also provided. The word that keeps recurring with the Ampster BT II is simplicity. If you’re looking to ease your way into the world of hi-fi, the Tangent Ampster BT II would be a fine place to start. It’s simple to set up, easy to use and, in tandem with the Q Acoustics 3010i, produces a sound that’s sweeping and appealing. I listened to CDs for several days and found the combination to be quite pleasant and musical, which I cannot say had been my experience with past mini-systems. Generally, except for the most expensive mini-systems of the 1990’s, the average contender was tinny, shrill and offered far less than the normal expectations that people might have about hi-fidelity. In contrast, the DALI/Tangent combo was able to bring real musical joy into my living room. Long sessions proved unfatiguing and held many sonic surprises. One is not accustomed to small systems teaching you about the fine points of recorded music, but I can emphatically say that the DALI/Tangent combo brought new delights to the array of music that I plowed through. Compact, stylish and sparkling-sounding, the Tangent CD II is the perfect CD player for enjoying your disc collection.The unified remote also controls the CD II player (yes, if you buy the Ampster and CD II, you’ll have two identical remotes) and all the standard buttons are there, including the eject button which pushes the CD out for removal. Fortunately the compact disc will not emerge until the eject button is pressed. This is unlike automobile CD players that often eject the CD after it has played and maybe not at an opportune moment. I strapped everything together and set the units up on an equipment table (see photo). I placed the speakers flat on the equipment stand about 4.5 feet apart and at knee high level. From a purist’s viewpoint this is not ideal, but it is a mini-system after all and many potential owners will set it up this way – for example in a student’s dormitory, or in a bedroom system or an office. Some compromises are often going to be necessary. Embrace the fusion of Danish ingenuity and audio engineering with Tangent's Hi-Fi II system. Since 1996, Tangent has been synonymous with both high sound quality and visually appealing design. Don't let your cherished CD collection gather dust; instead, relish the albums you love in style. Tangent's commitment to minimalistic, modern design ensures that your audio system not only sounds fantastic but also enhances your living space. Say goodbye to clunky, outdated CD systems and welcome a sleek, contemporary audio solution. The CD II player is also a fine candidate for comment, whether through the optical cable or the RCA outs. It is a dead simple player. Instead of a drawer or tray it has a slot feed that grabs the CD and pulls it into the player and then registers it and begins play. I generally prefer slot loading devices to trays. Software developments have also created a more user-friendly operation particularly in multi-room environments or where commercial applications limit operation via the remote control.

Tangent Audio has released a new and improved version of its compact Ampster Bluetooth amplifier. A new matching CD and Tuner have also been designed. So impressed with the apollo that I've been exploring the brio amp option to replace both my full sized CXA60 and separate cambridge phono stage with one small brio shaped box. I managed to find a ex demo unit at a decent price & option to return within 30 days if I wasn't happy so took the plunge! High quality components are used by Danish company, tangent, to deliver a smooth and detailed sound. The robust slot-load mechanism uses fewer moving parts than a draw system, giving improved reliability. While not weighty, the remote feels good in the hand and is big enough not to get lost easily. Button presses are responsive, and despite the number of buttons on the remote, they’re spaced out well – misplaced presses will be few and far between. The CD Box S3 is the first product of Pro-Ject’s new S3 line. Not only is the circuit design reworked, the case has also been significantly changed and the CD Box S3 introduces a completely new S3 size. Besides the new full aluminium casework, the CD Box S3 also features a 1,54“ display with colour inversion function which shows you all relevant information you need to enjoy your favourite CDs. Easily control the CD player with the buttons on the front, or with the supplied remote control.Since then, compact systems have not found much favour here. Big systems rule the roost. However, in the UK and in Europe there has always been keen competition for small and compact systems that sound good. This may well be due to the size of their listening rooms (and bedrooms) which are often quite compact as compared to ours. The Tuner II is a radio with access to FM/DAB/DAB+ stations. The Tuner has a discrete antenna, which is detachable to allow you to connect an external antenna. Tangent’s CD II is a multi-format disc player that’s compatible with “all current CD formats” (including home made MP3 files) and with both digital optical and regular line-outputs. Overall operation of the CD II player was smooth and consistent, and through both the optical output and the RCA outs the sound was a joy to hear. You really cannot ask for much more at this price level. This is not the most extensive list of inputs going but it should be sufficient for most requirements. Crucially, that digital input is a little more talented than you might expect. Until recently, it would be have been entirely acceptable for it to top out at 16/48 or similar but Tangent has equipped the Ampster with the ability to handle 24/96. In the great scheme of things, this might not sound important but it means two things. The first is that the Tangent is likely to put in some decent numbers with ordinary 16/44.1. The second is that it does mean that the Ampster has the ability to work with you if you decide to use this as a starting point that will take you to the lofty peaks of the high end.