AVM INSPIRATION CS 2.3 Compact Streaming CD Receiver
If I had to point out one type of audio device that has blossomed nicely with evolving technologies it would be the `integrated amplifier’. Various kinds exist now; integrated has a variety of meanings: Besides only amplification/preamplification/volume control, so much more can be found integrated within. Some come with a DAC onboard, a phono stage, and so on, and the size can be quite small and light. Also, the success of streaming digital music with services like Qobuz and Tidal, among others, is resulting in the addition of a streamer. Various names are given to these newer types of units depending on the company; one must carefully study what the particulars are in a given integrated to understand what they really offer. Yes, it has become quite confusing—but exciting.
So, what caught my eye in this arena? The new AVM INSPIRATION CS 2.3 Compact Streaming CD Receiver, an advanced example of an All-In-One player ($6995), handcrafted in Germany.
Special thanks to Bill Leebens for initiating and arranging the receipt of a review unit and to distributor Bluebird Music for helping with technical questions.
By all-in-one, AVM means it: Just attach a set of speakers to the CS 2.3 and off you go—an amp with 140 watts per channel into 4 ohms (Class D), an analog preamp, a Class A headphone amp with a 3.5mm jack, a DAC utilizing ESS Sabre 9038 Q2M 32-bit chips, a phono stage (MM & MC), a slot-in TEAC Pure CD drive (Red Book), and a streamer with its own wireless AVM RC X control app that can also control all the other features/options of the unit (and there are many). And all of this in a handsome, relatively light/small package: 15lbs, 13.4”(W) x 3.5”(H) x 12.6”(D) (7.1Kg, 34cm x 9cm x 32cm). The Class D amplifier technology employed is based on the Pascal Audio amp module, while the implementation is wholly an AVM design.
My unit was in a basic but elegant Aluminum Black finish, but a myriad of other options include Aluminum Silver (same price), offbeat and fashionable LaBlue, LaRouge (more expensive), and a very flashy luxurious looking CELLINI Chrome (even more expensive).
LaRouge
Connectivity is Ethernet, WiFi, or Apple AirPlay 2, and it is endowed with HiFi Bluetooth 4.2.
Digital sampling rates are supported up to 384kHz PCM and DSD 128. Digital inputs include COAX, OPT and ARC/HDMI for TV audio. Moreover the CS 2.3 is Roon Ready: If you have a Roon core installed in another piece of internet-connected equipment, then you can bypass the internal streamer of the CS 2.3 and use Roon instead. Using a USB-A input, you can also attach a thumb drive or HD drive for holding music libraries. (But there is no USB-B input for USB streaming digital to its DAC from another source such as a laptop.) In addition to the aforementioned RC X app, basic control is on the front panel which includes a small (black and white) touch-sensitive graphic display on the left, a volume knob on the right, the CD drive slot in the middle, then 3 source buttons (for choosing from among CD, Bluetooth, Phono, Coax, Optical, etc.) together with the headphone jack lined up vertically slightly left of the volume knob. The display (touch-screen) can be used to control the playing of a CD, or displaying what music you are streaming, for example. An optional RC-3 IR remote control is available for an additional $249, as well as an upcoming more serious RC-10 full RF two-way remote with a color display screen at about $695 that replaces their RC-9 (no longer sold). I did not have access to the remotes in this review.
If the $6995 price of the CS 2.3 seems expensive, keep in mind this new model follows in the steps of their top-of-the-line Ovation series CS 8.3/6.3 models released about 1.5 years ago, which cost over twice the price, with considerably more amp power (500 Watts per channel). The CS 2.3 benefits from trickle-down technologies including AVM’s newest in-house proprietary X-Stream Engine® for Hi-Res streaming. X-Stream is controlled by their app and is completely software based; it can be updated regularly through their app (via firmware updates). Moreover, a new intermediary Evolution series CS 5.3/3.3 (350 Watts per channel) is now available. As such, the Inspiration series is considered their entry-level. (Note: The ‘A/B’ notation here in the higher-level Ovation and Evolution series refers to two separate kinds of models within each; all solid state versus a more expensive tube line stage.)
That said, there are certainly worthy All-In-One options in the market much less expensive such as the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 ($3000) which comes with a remote control and a color display; however, it does not have a CD disk drive and its phono stage is only MM. There are many other subtle and not so subtle differences among these models and others. As I mentioned, one must carefully study the particulars in a given integrated to understand what they really offer.
Cellini Chrome
Setting things up
Setting up was easy. I placed the unit on a stable shelf in my system, and I point out the CS 2.3 has four nice/serious isolation footers. I downloaded the AVM RC X control app onto my iPhone (and iPad), and then connected the unit to my network with an ethernet cable (I did not connect wirelessly, but that is an alternative option—two supplied antennas can be affixed in the back).
The app displayed the CS 2.3 as connected, and under settings it showed that an upgrade to the CS 2.3 firmware was available which I initiated right away. Afterwards, when I touched the app display, it offered a large list of options including signing in to Qobuz, Tidal, HIGHRESAUDIO, and Spotify. I signed in to Qobuz. For control in general, I used my iPad and iPhone with the AVM RC X control app, as well as just the front of the unit. However, when using Roon, I used the Roon Remote app for selecting and playing music. When doing so, you login to Qobuz/Tidal through Roon, not the CS 2.3. Because the unit is Roon Ready, the AVM CS 2.3 was listed in Roon as a device right away.
Before connecting speakers, I plugged in a pair of Master & Dynamic M65 headphones and briefly played a CD as a quick test to assure myself that music would come forth. It did. At this point I disconnected the speaker wires from my own amps and connected them instead to the CS 2.3 binding posts on the back of the unit using banana plugs. (The posts are quite small and delicate, so banana plugs are the way to go.) My reference speakers are the Alta Audio FRM-2Ms with an impedance of 4 Ohms and requiring 50-200 Watts power. I expected the 140 Watts per channel of the CS 2.3 should accommodate them easily—and it did. But there was an initial perplexing problem. The volume was too low, requiring at times a 100% volume level to produce reasonable results, especially noticeable when playing symphonies. With headphones, too, the problem persisted. My reference mono block amps offer about 750 Watts per channel, but swapping them with the CS 2.3 amp could not cause such a dramatic change in volume, could it? So, I contacted Steve Brothman at Bluebird Music for advice. He informed me that by default, the CS 2.3 unit is set with a `Volume Limit’ of 70% to prevent slap-happy users from inadvertently blowing out their speakers. Through the app, I was able to easily turn it off and voila! The volume level rarely needed to go above 60/100 after the change. I was happy.
How does it look on the back?
The back contains a power switch and you can keep the unit powered on 24/7; it settles into a rest mode after a period of time when not in use. Above is where two antennas can be attached for a wireless connection. There is a COAX and OPT input and COAX and OPT output for digital as well as ethernet (LAN), USB-A and ARC digital inputs. The speaker connections are in the right top corner, below which are several analog RCA input connections including Phono, and some for analog out. The grounding post is in the lower right corner. Small cooling grills (for allowing air in) are on the back as well (there are more grills on the bottom of the unit, too).
Music and sound
Overall, the CS 2.3 exhibited a large sound stage, nice imaging and revealed the warm, clear natural sounding timbre from my speakers I like so much. It was best in the bass and midrange; at times the high frequencies could sound a bit bright and thin by comparison. As the unit continued to break in, the treble improved considerably.
When streaming, I settled on using Roon for selecting and playing music for two reasons: (1) My music library sits on the internal hard drive of my music server (which holds the Roon Core). (2) I am (admittedly) an avid, addicted and spoiled user of Roon because of its exceptional non-static searching, playing, color graphics, and more. The AVM RC X control app, however, stays on and working while using Roon; it controls everything else: inputs, outputs, CD control, external USB drives, Bluetooth, WebRadio, firmware updating, tone control; it also displays the name of the album playing (even when using Roon).
Streaming
‘Crimson and Clover’ (1968), from Tommy James and The Shondells: Anthology.
What a blast from the past; I was 11 years old when it came out as a 45 rpm hit and loved it.
Hearing it now brought back many memories and the CS 2.3 allowed it to show off the sound stage and imaging; I don’t recall hearing it sound this nice long ago.
Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ghost Song (March 4, 2022, Nonesuch Records, 24/96 on Qobuz).
This appears to be her most ambitious and creative album thus far. For a while I thought Roon Radio was choosing all kinds of music for me after track 1—‘Wuthering Heights’, which begins with an exotic religious sounding sean-nós style in which you can vividly hear the natural echos of the church venue, but, I was wrong. It was Salvant each time on the same album—as if changing costumes. A singular talent. Just as a world-class actress can play any role, Salvant can sing any style. And she composed most of the album tracks herself. The track, ‘I lost My Mind’, with electronic voice, is reminiscent of Kraftwerk, and it contains some deep, shaking church organ as well. The musicians backing her up (bass, banjo, flute, piano, percussion, guitar), creativity, and recording quality are truly outstanding. The CS 2.3 displayed all with aplomb.
CD
Falla: The Three Cornered Hat, Ansermet conducting (2017 Hybrid SACD from the 1961 original, DECCA). The LP of this is one of my very favorites, a true classic. After listening to this CD on the CS 2.3, I believe this to be a classic as welI; it competes favorably with the LP in sound quality.
Allan Taylor, Behind the Mix, Stockfisch, 2017. From very casual, genuine from-the-heart, and down-to-earth recording(s) from the years 2000–2003, a wonderful acoustic recording with dashes of humor, sadness and memories.
The CS 2.3 presented it with the up front intimacy that makes it work. Track 2, ‘The Tennessee Waltz’, with Taylor (vocals/guitar) and Chris Jones (guitar) is very special; composed by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King in 1946, it is a standard tried by many including Patty Page (1950), Sam Cooke (1964), Leonard Cohen (1965), and Holly Cole (1993). I like this Taylor version the best; although he is British, he has an uncanny ability to understand the US cultural nuances (including the accent).
Headphone use
With the 3.5mm jack, I used two different pairs of headphones: Master & Dynamic M65 ($500), and the much higher-level HiFiman HE-R10P ($5,500); both closed back, over the ear. I had no trouble driving either of them with the CS 2.3. I was satisfied with the overall presentation.
Phono stage use
This was a surprise. I attached my reference VPI HW-40 turntable ($15,000) fitted with a $6000 Grado Aeon3 cartridge—overkill of course—to the CS 2.3, and grounded it to the CS 2.3 grounding post. Using the RC X app I set the input to Phono using MM mode (the Aeon is a moving iron cart requiring a 10k-47k Ohms loading, MM mode is at 47k); I was not expecting much. I chose one of my trusted and favorite LPs: Janis Ian, Breaking Silence, Analogue Productions, 2012 release (1992 recording). Not only did it work just fine, it sounded very nice and respectable; the soundstage with her voice, percussion and such were presented well balanced and full bodied. I was unexpectedly impressed. The volume was great at about 70/100 (MM mode has 40db gain, so a bit more volume is needed for a moving iron cart). Often before, when I have tried to use a phono stage built into another integrated device, I have not been impressed; the phono stage typically seems to be an afterthought for completeness but not quality. Well done CS 2.3. Note: I did not experiment with the MC mode; but the CS 2.3 comes with 3 pairs of RCA plugs for modifying the loading. You attach them in the back of the unit: 100 Ohms, 200 Ohms, 1K Ohms.
One more experiment
I was intrigued to carry out an experiment with the CS 2.3: Try to run some loudspeakers that at first sight would seem to be a foolish thing to do. My friend and audiophile colleague Jim Austin (Editor at Stereophile) happened to have a pair of the extraordinary Wilson Audio ALEXX V on hand and kindly allowed me to bring the CS 2.3 over to give it a try: the loudspeakers are 6’3” tall and weigh 500 lbs each. I played CDs only: Attached the speaker wires, and then played CDs; the same 2 CDs from earlier in this review: Falla, Allan Taylor.
(No internet connection, no streaming.) Success: it not only worked but was surprisingly satisfying in that it hit all the marks to some extent: large soundstage, decent imaging, timbre and volume. Another tip in the hat for the CS 2.3.
Summary
The AVM INSPIRATION CS 2.3 Compact Streaming CD Receiver ($6995) exceeded my expectations. Each of the ‘All’ works seamlessly and effectively, its software stability (neither it nor the app ever crashed even once during more than 2 months of use) with its continual firmware updates is exceptional, and the unit is Roon Ready. Even its phono stage is no slouch. The unit has a terrific built-in CD-drive, and it is able to show off using speakers/turntables well beyond its intended use. Bravo. (One suggestion? In the next hardware upgrade I would suggest the inclusion of USB-B for streaming.)
Further information: AVM
