Customers' letters - 1 -

Leo,

You asked me to tell you my opinion of the Black Cube. Well, you're not getting it back, that's for certain. I ordered the Black Cube because you (and reviewers) said it was good; and it certainly is. Also, I didn't want to go into hock over this analog thing, you know. I was also being very practical about space management: The last thing I wanted was another big, ugly, heavy piece of audio gear. I could have bought a used Audio Research for the same price, but it has all of the previous attributes.

Well, I am a satisfied customer. But more than that, I am now smitten by analog. My modest analog setup is a Rega 3 with a Benz Micro Silver cartridge fed into the Entec and the rest of my system (for better or worst). Let's say that the Entec is not the limiting factor. Up against a SONY XA7ES CD player it is just no contest; no contest to the realism and tonality of analog playback. I also appreciate the low-noise of the Black Cube. In a combination CD/analog system, the low noise is spooky. The only give-away that I am playing a record is the 20 minute intervals between changing sides -- a bummer-- and the glorious sound -- not a bummer.

Lastly, do I have any gripes? I actually like the construction of the unit and the no nonsense proportions. However, I do have trouble hiding the little beasty, mainly because of the interconnects on either side. Perhaps an optional aluminum, or even plastic, face plate would do the trick.

J. D. V. /USA


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