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A headache of choice over CD player

For a budget of between US$5,000 and 7,000, what would you choose of these options - Wadia 381, McIntosh MCD500, Ayre C-5xeMP and Esoteric X-03? Any other suggestions?

I play CDs 99% of the time, not SACD. Just two-channel.

I currently use a Bluenote Stibbert 2007 (improved) and am looking to it step up. I like a big, bold, punchy and transparent sound (if that's not asking for too much!).

I use a McIntosh C220 pre and MC402 power amp, driving Magnepan 1.6 speakers. All cabling, balanced, is MIT CVT Terminator 2.

I'm getting the Wadia home for a demo next week, and can also arrange for the Ayre. The Esoteric will be avaible for home demo next month. But not the McIntosh, which I have to buy "blind", although Mac owners assure me it is the right choice ... :)
bassraptor

Showing 2 responses by bassraptor

bassraptor OP
64 posts
 
I'm running the PS Audio now ...

Two years ago, when I was auditioning CD players, I took a number home to try before almost settling for the Ayre CX-7e. Just as I was about to make up my mind, a dealer friend brought over the Bluenote and when we got it warmed up and running, I went "Wow!" ... Sent the Ayre back and settled for the Bluenote.

The Perfect Wave combo is good, but didn't elicit a similar response from me. So ...

Where I live, there are distributors for Ayre, Meridian, Wadia, Cary Audio, McIntosh, Audio Research, Krell, Esoteric, Pathos, Burmester, dCS, Nagra, Soulution, PS Audio and a few others. However, not all are in my budget ...

Thanks for all the feedback, though ...
bassraptor OP
64 posts
 
Ok, I picked up the Wadia 381i a day ago, still needs to be run in, but here are initial impressions. I reset the internal switches to maximum gain, ie, 4V.

Plugged into my C220 preamp, it was a hard choice, I felt the Bluenote Stibbert was giving nothing away to the Wadia, that's how good the older player still is. Dynamics, detail, slam, it was toe-to-toe, eye-to-eye ... the Wadia did have a wider stage, though.

Then I plugged the Wadia directly into the MC402 power amp ... now that made a difference. Like it was a whole new system!

Need to do more listening in both configurations ...
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