How Does The Audio Research
REFERENCE CD8 Compact Disc Player
Compare To Its Exalted Predecessor?

Bob Herman Tells It Like He Hears It

When it appeared in the fall of 2005, I found the Audio Research REFERENCE CD7 Compact Disc player unique in its ability to extract a musical performance from a Compact Disc, so I made a point of reviewing it for the LyricUSA.com website.

Unlike CD players that often sound lifeless and don’t evoke the emotional response live music at its best invariably elicits, the CD7 was a genuine revelation. Moreover, compared to so many far more expensive but flat-sounding players on the high end audio scene, it was a *%^$@@!! bargain.

As I then pointed out, it wasn’t surprising that the groundbreaking CD7 carried the Audio Research logo. After all, the Minnesota-based firm is very special. Its founder, William Z. Johnson, began designing custom audio electronics way back in the early 1950s and operated his own retail store well into the sixties. Almost single-handedly, he revived vacuum tube designs at a time when the industry had abandoned them for musically inferior solid state products.

Premier Grand Cru Digital

So it made sense to discover that the company’s then-brand-new flagship CD player sounded more like an analog unit than any digital component or combination I had ever heard. It often made silver discs sound even better than black vinyl records on a top quality turntable, and it was the kind of product serious listeners had come to expect from a firm that has matured like a fine wine into one of our oldest continuously-operating hi-fi suppliers.

But I recently learned that those good folks from Minnesota had decided to put the REF CD7 to sleep. I almost keeled over myself. “Don’t have a conniption,” they said. “We have a replacement player you’re going to like even better. We’re calling it the REFERENCE CD8.” “How original,” I muttered to myself. “Now how often have I heard that from manufacturers on the verge of euthanizing great products?” I just kept hoping they hadn’t screwed up.

I’m genuinely delighted to report that the company Bill Johnson built is yet again on the mark. Audio Research has kept the faith, as some of us used to say back when all audio components sounded analog — because, after all, they were. So breathe easily. Inhale, exhale, and proceed to the heart of the matter.

Phew! That’s Better!

Indeed the REFERENCE CD8 is better than its distinguished predecessor. Out with the old chipset, in with a new, state-of-the-art, 24-bit, 192-kHz replacement. The power supply has been fully upgraded, and a single tube, a 6550C, replaces the paired 6H30 triodes in the CD7. Lest anyone hooked on musical dynamics misses this critical detail, I'll repeat it: those sly Audio Research engineers put a honkin’ big power amp tube in the power supply of their new reference-class CD player. They might be giants, North-Star-State visionaries whose ideas are beamed to them on bolts of lightning. 

What else did the REF CD8 project team conjure up during the frigid Minnesota winter nights I envision them listening through? New, better performance output coupling capacitors. More damping tweaks. Fanatical refinements. An improved display. (Actually, the old display was fine, but now you can choose from five levels of illumination. Or turn it off altogether and listen in darkness. The choice is yours.)

And what about the transport? Well, it’s the same one Audio Research used in the REF 7. That’s right, utterly unchanged. And with good reason, since the Philips PRO2R outperforms every CD transport in this part of the galaxy. Not even Audio Research wanted to tamper with that part of their flagship player.

Practical Matters

Now to the bottom line. Did all this tweaking yield audible results?

It sure did. As good a job as the REF CD7 did with recorded detail, the CD8 does considerably better. I found, for example, that on a favorite jazz CD (The Poll Winners Ride Again, Barney Kessel, Ray Brown and Shelly Manne. Original Jazz Classics OJCCD-607-2), it was easier to hear the backlash of Manne’s wire snares. And the skin-on-strings sense of Brown’s bass was pleasantly sharper.

On a familiar orchestral recording (Carmen Suite – Shchedrin, Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, G. Rozhdestvensky conductor, Melodiya 74321-36908-2), soundstaging was more precise, almost eerie in fact. I could practically see the location of all the instruments.

And thanks to that macho 6550C tube in the power supply, the dynamics are to die for. The REFERENCE CD8 gives you huge, HUGE dynamic range and contrast.

Moreover, as I kept changing discs, I found the REF CD8 revealed more focus and inner detail from every recording I threw at it. Even those old albums by The Doors came to life.

Steps Ahead

There’s no question that the Audio Research REFERENCE CD8 is a lot more than a traditional component upgrade. This great Compact Disc player is a major advance that solid sonic improvements take well beyond its distinguished predecessor, which even when it was phased out was one of the best CD players on the worldwide market.

But don’t take my word for it. Stop in at Lyric soon with a bagful of your best and worst CDs and hear for yourself what this astounding player does with them. If you call me ahead of time for an appointment, I’ll be more than happy to pop your discs into our REF CD8 demo unit myself.

“Analog Bob” Herman is a longtime Lyric staff member who has has dedicated himself to home music listening for the past quarter century. He's every bit as avid about his outdoor passion, fly fishing.