The sound of the Atoll CD100 Evolution
Contents
Potent is the first word that comes to mind. Atoll is known for its solid sound and you can also hear that ‘signature’ in their cd-players and dacs. As a result, Atoll is always easy to integrate into a set. The Atoll CD100 Evolution has balls, so to speak. But make no mistake. The Burr Brown dac is sufficiently refined and detailed. Still, the Atoll CD100 Evolution is mainly focussing on an overall presentation of the soundstage, and that works out wonderfully well. The Dubreuil brothers clearly favour a smooth, slightly softer reproduction with plenty of foundation underneath. The placement of the performers and instruments is above average and all this is spread over a relatively wide stage.
Listen
“In Between” by Jazzanova shows us the excellent timing of the Atoll CD100 Evolution. This electronic music consists of multiple layers that are effortlessly unravelled by this CD player. The clashing beats sound tight and punctuated. Here we also notice the open and transparent nature of this cd player. All the little noises and effects swirl into the listening room without digital harshness. Full of conviction, without taking a wrong turn.
During our test we also received a set of Elac Debut 3.0 B6.3 speakers, review to follow, and this combination was a real treat. On “Modern Blues” by The Waterboys we are instantly involved in the music. The playback on Qobuz of “The girl who slept for Scotland” sounds less urgent. The guitars have less impact and attack. On the CD, the screeching and squealing guitars come through fantastically and the attack on the drum kick pedal is much more present. On the song ‘I’m still a Freak’, we are shaking our heads. There is a drive to these songs that makes us get up and boogie. When ‘You married the wrong guy Rosalind’ blares through the speakers, we are dancing all around the place.
How does more delicate work, like Damien Jurado’s ‘Saint Bartlett’ fare? That question is immedately answered on the beautiful opening track. ‘Cloudy Shoes’ is a classic Jurado track and when he sings the lyrics ‘trying to fix my mind’, we get a lump in the throat. No edginess, no exaggerated s’s or t’s and the American bard’s voice stands firm in the middle. Again, there is slightly less drive when streaming the same song, but here the difference is less pronounced. On the equally wonderful song ‘Wallingford’, we hear what sounds like rattling of pots and pans in the background. ‘Kansas City’, another top song sounds fragile with a clearly audible echo in Durado’s voice and the background noises again easily dectected. What a great album.
We notice plenty of details on Tom Waits’ “Bad As Me”. You can clearly hear the typical grain on his weathered voice but also background noise that sounds like a vinyl record playing on “Kiss Me”. We keep pulling out different discs and that’s about the biggest compliment we can give this cd-player. Air, Scud Mountain Boys and Tosca, to name a few, were also played during the test. Let’s make one thing clear. CD still sounds very good.
Hello Geoffrey, thank you for the review.
It’s unfortunate that Jaap hasn’t measured this CD player.
The ones that have been measured have showed poor technical prowess in the design department at atoll.
I have many Atoll pieces at home, but have personally taken a pause on buying any of their Evo products.
You can have great sound and well measuring products (not mutually exclusive), Atoll needs to step up in this department.
Brian