Vecteur L-4, from UHF No. 62

This is the first time we’ve tried one of Vecteur’s CD players, though we are familiar with their amplifiers (see the next review). On the other hand, we have tried the company’s D-2 CD transport (UHF No. 61), and it was a knockout, especially with the Audiomat converter also reviewed in that issue. What would happen if Vecteur added a converter to what appears superficially to be the same transport?

     And it really does look the same. We could have gotten away with reusing the D-2’s picture, merely retouching the tiny model designation below the company logo. Like the D-2 it is heavy, with a hefty power supply. The rear looks the same too, except that there are analog output jacks in the holes that -- in the D-2 -- are plugged up.
     We believe -- to the despair of the flat-earthers -- in breaking in equipment. We never listen seriously to anything that hasn’t had a minimum of 50 hours of run-in time. The North American distributor claims that the L-4 needs an incredible 400 hours of break-in time! Fortunately the time was available, and running up hours on a player that has a repeat button is especially easy. We let it run for nearly three weeks before bringing it into our Alpha listening room.
     The first selection we ran through it was from a Handel opera, Alcina (Analekta FL 2 3137), an aria titled Barbara. Soprano Karina Gauvin, backed by the famed Tafelmusik ensemble, sings it with energy and exquisite beauty. Like our reference, the L-4 reproduced it with vigorous energy. Everything was brought slightly forward, especially the harpsichord, with abundant detail. The tone was slightly cool, with the Vecteur exhibiting its own "personality." Rhythm, which Handel manipulated abundantly, was well respected. Gerard thought the sharper transients (Gauvin, singing the name of the title character at the start of each verse) might not be quite accurate...

Model: Vecteur L-4
Price: C$2290, US$1560
Warranty: 2 years, transferable
Dimensions: 43 x 37 x 11.5 cm

(This is an excerpt from the full article. To read the entire article, just order issue 62 at our secure server.)

Complete articles from this issue:
Vecteur I-4 integrated amplifier, Antique Sound Lab passive preamp, State of the Art

Excerpted articles from this issue:
Copy Right!, DVD for Your Future, Vecteur L-4 player, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista amplifier, Moon Attraction processor, Creek OBH-12, Two Interconnects, Antique Sound Lab amplifier


		(Reprinted from issue 62 of UHF Magazine. To purchase the issue, click here. Or click here to subscribe to UHF) Vecteur L-4 Player We know the company makes a superb CD transport. Can you trust it to get the rest of it right?
If you like what you see in these sample articles, get all of UHF by subscribing Do the concepts of high end hi-fi give you a headache? Take 20 minutes for the UHF Hi-Fi Course. Trying to reach UHF? Our contact page tells you how to find us.
		This is the first time we’ve tried one of Vecteur’s CD players, though we are familiar with their amplifiers (see the next review). On the other hand, we have tried the company’s D-2 CD transport (UHF No. 61), and it was a knockout, especially with the Audiomat converter also reviewed in that issue. What would happen if Vecteur added a converter to what appears superficially to be the same transport? And it really does look the same. We could have gotten away with reusing the D-2’s picture, merely retouching the tiny model designation below the company logo. Like the D-2 it is heavy, with a hefty power supply. The rear looks the same too, except that there are analog output jacks in the holes that -- in the D-2 -- are plugged up. We believe -- to the despair of the flat-earthers -- in breaking in equipment. We never listen seriously to anything that hasn’t had a minimum of 50 hours of run-in time. The North American distributor claims that the L-4 needs an incredible 400 hours of break-in time! Fortunately the time was available, and running up hours on a player that has a repeat button is especially easy. We let it run for nearly three weeks before bringing it into our Alpha listening room. The first selection we ran through it was from a Handel opera, Alcina (Analekta FL 2 3137), an aria titled Barbara. Soprano Karina Gauvin, backed by the famed Tafelmusik ensemble, sings it with energy and exquisite beauty. Like our reference, the L-4 reproduced it with vigorous energy. Everything was brought slightly forward, especially the harpsichord, with abundant detail. The tone was slightly cool, with the Vecteur exhibiting its own "personality." Rhythm, which Handel manipulated abundantly, was well respected. Gerard thought the sharper transients (Gauvin, singing the name of the title character at the start of each verse) might not be quite accurate... Model: Vecteur L-4 Price: C$2290, US$1560 Warranty: 2 years, transferable Dimensions: 43 x 37 x 11.5 cm (This is an excerpt from the full article. To read the entire article, just order issue 62 at our secure server.) Complete articles from this issue: Vecteur I-4 integrated amplifier, Antique Sound Lab passive preamp, State of the Art Excerpted articles from this issue: Copy Right!, DVD for Your Future, Vecteur L-4 player, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista amplifier, Moon Attraction processor, Creek OBH-12, Two Interconnects, Antique Sound Lab amplifier [TABLE OF CONTENTS] [BACK HOME]