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When we swapped the 4736 for the 4733/4734 pre/power duo still with the 4735 in player mode, the added value of separates became clear. The same sound character (or lack thereof) persisted of course but details became more apparent which translated into more soundstage depth and enhanced the outlines of individual musicians within that picture. With the Aquarius speakers the extra power reserves also added more bass dynamics.
A bigger change came from ‘converting’ the 4735 into a pure transport by leashing its digital output to the 4733’s DAC. This substantially changed the music’s tonality. Perceived tone was lighter, the music seemed slower and the musicians less focused on the music they played. Overall the musical coherence changed. Probable cause was the translation from native I²S protocol (CD player) to S/PIDF (digital cable) and back to I²S (DAC). This plus the extra signal path length presumably caused the lighter-weight tonality. Whatever the ultimate reason, we preferred the 4735 as integrated player.
The 4733’s DAC proved to become a true treasure when used to process PC-derived signal with XXHighEnd’s player software. The absence of redundant math in favor of minimalist digital signal processing was still king. Beware though the uncompromised naturist approach when it comes to the chosen USB cable. Any flaws are brutally exposed and a generic throwaway leash becomes painfully obvious. A better than decent cable will pay back for itself in no time. We chose an ASI USB cable and liked it very much.
Though the dress code for this series is more modest and uniform (i.e. a bit less unconventional), fortunately 47 Labs is still 47 Labs. Safely tucked away underneath the Midnight Blue coats the dare-to-be-bare and dare-to-be-simple mantra is alive and well and pays off. Uncompromised analog and digital signal processing neither subtracts nor adds anything. When asked to pick the cherry of the Midnight Blue crop we must point at the 4735 CD player. What this deck is able to derive from good old Redbook CDs is more than many of the over-the-top over/upsampling multi chip combinations can do. Plain silver discs have become available at rock-bottom prices as many audiophiles clear their collections in favor of computer storage. For us roaming second-hand stores always ends up with a stack of cheap finds that with a little TLC can be restored to pristine shape.
The choice between integrated or separates here is trickier and to a great extent depends on the loudspeakers. The turning point would seem to sit around 90dB. Below that the extra power of the 4734 is welcome. Above that the integrated can provide satisfactory sound levels full of detail and all the rest. On a whole the Midnight Blue series proves that its modest boxes are no barrier to cosmetics or sound. If it was recorded it will be reproduced.
Quality of packing: N/A, first samples hand-delivered by importer. Condition of component received: Excellent. Quality of owner's manual: N/A Pricing: Very competitive within the established 47 Labs convention. The CD player’s price sticks out from the series. Remarks: Except for the tuner all Midnight Blue devices reviewed here were globally premiered at the recent X-Fi show in Utrecht, Holland where Junji Kimura presented the complete line for the very first time. The Dutch distributor hand delivered the components to us afterwards hence the lack of official packaging and manuals.
