Specifications

©DAGOGO 2010 – special reprint by permission. Page 15
How wrong I was! Only several weeks later the CD-5 arrived. Had the arrival of the Ayon not
been delayed for similar reasons, I would have been able to discuss a head-to-head comparison. I
was preparing for a letdown but instead got a big pick-me-up as the Ayon was every bit as
exciting as the Perfect Wave! I could hardly believe my ears, as the same exquisite detail, deft
handling of treble, and extended bass with a far more nuanced presentation than normally heard
from Redbook was once again filling in my room. The key impression I note between these two
excellent sources is the difference in perception of “weight” or solidity. Both of them had superb
detail retrieval, however as I spent a week immersed with the Perfect Wave I felt repeatedly that
I was reliving my experience years prior of ownership of the PS Audio HCA-2 amp, that being
Class D. I did not own that amp terribly long as it seemed a bit facile, a tad too sterile, and light
in the bottom-end. It was my first introduction to Class D, so initially I was impressed with the
power, but over time I was disenchanted with it sounding too lightweight.
The Perfect Wave gave me a similar feel. After a week of using it I was still working with cables
aggressively to address that lean and underweight sound. When the CD-5 was inserted into the
system one of my first reactions was, “Yes! Now there’s substance!” It would have been a very
interesting comparison between these two, as I think the Perfect Wave might be a hair more
exact. But my ear tells me the CD-5 is a fair bit more inviting. In the weeks following, it has not
taken much time at all to conclude that I could easily consider the Ayon my reference without
pining for the Perfect Wave combo. Gerhard is doing some things in CD player design which are
as exciting as any products currently available.
Exquisite Sound
Exquisite is the proper word to describe the sound of the CD-5. This is the closest to a perfect
player I have used; apart from the Gain/amplifier matching question, it is difficult to find a
meaningful criticism of it. It would take another reference quality player to discover what one
might consider a weakness in its presentation as it is a very complete, well-rounded source.
Whereas most CD player’s show their weaknesses readily, being edgier, veiled, clinical, lacking
in bass, lacking in separation of the instruments, not good with older recordings, not good with
certain types of music, etc. the Ayon excels in every aspect I have examined.
In comparison to the CD-2, the CD-5 is far more refined much more capable of rendering a deep
and realistic sound space. It reveals more information but in an utterly smooth, appealing
fashion. It also digs deeper in the bottom-end, refining and extending what is heard from the CD-
2. This player absolutely refutes the assertion that along with higher detail is higher listening
fatigue. I have listened to this unit for countless hours and have not had tiredness from harshness
of listening to digital media at all.
One of my tests for high-end shrillness and fatigue is to listen at higher levels to sopranos. I’ll
crank up Celine Dion or Sixpence None the Richer and see if my ears can take it for half an hour.
If the system has treble which is too hot, then I’ll find myself turning it down to escape the sonic