METRONOME TECHNOLOGIE LE PLAYER 2

Pre owned. In good condition. It has some signs of wear that are also visible in the photos. Supplied with remote control, not supplied with the original packaging.

CD player with integrated DAC featuring a design that combines the CD transport mechanism with a digital-to-analogue conversion section that can also be used with external sources. First introduced in 2015, it is positioned in the French manufacturer's range as a model featuring front-loading via a drawer, distinguishing it from the Player 1, which uses a top-loading mechanism.

The Philips CDM12 Pro 2 V6.8 mechanism is rigidly mounted inside the chassis and controlled by a dedicated servo board. The loading drawer is positioned on the left side of the front panel, while the right side houses the display, CD playback controls and a selector for choosing the digital source sent to the DAC, either the internal transport or the USB input. The RCA connector located next to the analogue outputs is instead a coaxial S/PDIF digital output.

The power supply maintains a separate configuration for the different sections of the player. Three independent transformers respectively supply the digital circuits, logic and analogue section, while six main regulators, four of which are equipped with heatsinks, contribute to voltage stabilization. The total filtering and decoupling capacity exceeds 70,000 µF. This architecture allows the different sections of the unit to be isolated and reduces interference between the circuits.

The digital section uses a high-stability clock to synchronize the conversion circuits. The signal is processed by a Cirrus Logic CS8421 sample-rate converter, which converts incoming digital streams to 192 kHz/32-bit before they are sent to the Asahi Kasei AK4395 DAC. Digital transmission between the sections is handled through a dedicated bus that keeps data and clock signals separate, with the aim of minimizing jitter.

The Player 2 can also be used as a DAC for external sources through its USB input, supporting PCM signals up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to DSD256. The analogue section uses four Burr-Brown OPA604 operational amplifiers, complemented by polypropylene capacitors and power supply circuits with local decoupling. Muting of the analogue outputs is performed by sealed relays.

The chassis is made of steel with a rigid structure and rests on three supports. The front panel is 10 mm thick and features the brand name and source designation laser-engraved into its surface. The construction therefore retains Métronome Technologie's characteristic design approach, with particular attention to section separation, mechanical stability and component selection.

In music reproduction, the Player 2 provides a deep and well-articulated low-frequency range, with a good ability to distinguish different tonal characteristics even in the lower frequencies. The midrange offers a high level of analysis of the sonic information, while maintaining a fluid presentation and precise differentiation of timbres.

The high-frequency range maintains the same level of detail, following the finest variations in the signal without imposing an obvious sonic character. The dynamic response is fast and precise, with a good ability to track instantaneous variations and rapid changes in musical dynamics.

The stereo soundstage is reproduced coherently and three-dimensionally, with accurate reproduction of the ambient information contained in recordings. The transparency of the system also preserves subtle tonal variations and sonic information in the musical programme without introducing obvious coloration.

The Métronome Technologie Le Player 2 therefore combines a Philips CD transport mechanism, a dedicated DAC section and a USB input for external digital sources in a single unit, while maintaining a construction characterized by separate power supplies, a high-stability clock and an analogue section developed with dedicated components.

Technical specifications:

• CD transport mechanism: Philips GF8 with specific modifications and improvements by Métronome Technologie
• Digital-to-analogue conversion: dual 24-bit/192 kHz technology; 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio at the converter input
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 25 kHz ±0.1 dB
• Analogue output stage: 4 operational amplifiers selected for their musical characteristics
• Digital input: asynchronous USB Type B; compatible with Mac and PC; supports HD Master signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz
• Digital output: 75-ohm RCA S/PDIF; 16-bit/44.1 kHz
• Unbalanced analogue outputs: 2.5 V RMS; 47 kOhm; RCA
• Balanced analogue outputs: 2.5 V RMS; 600 ohm; XLR
• Power supply: 3 toroidal transformers; 7 independent regulation stages
• Accessories: remote control with satin-finished aluminium surface
• Mains voltage: 100 V; 120/240 V; 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 450 x 115 x 435 mm
• Weight: 15 kg