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Absolute Best CD Players Out There Under $12k ?

Ok, I'm looking to upgrade my CD Player. It's the last part of my uber-headphone system and I'm hoping to get the best player possible for under $12k used. I know that affords me alot of options, and I imagine I'll do some travelling and testing before I buy, but I wanted some opinions first. Right now, these are the main ones I'm considering:

*Reimyo CDP-777
*Linn Sondek CD12
*Naim CDS3/XPS2
*Wadia 270/27
*Wadia 861se w/Statement mod from GNSC
*Meridian 808
*EMM Labs Meitner CDSD/Dac6
*Esoteric DV-50 with full mods from Reference Audio Mods
*Classe Omega SACD

I'm not so much into characteristics - the overall performance is more important for me. But I do need a player with great bass (both in extension, detail, and volume) as my headphones are a bit bass shy. Any reviews/comparisons would be much appreciated.
no1willfan

Showing 10 responses by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
CDP for over 50K? No prob Calanctus. . . try the 5-box Teac Esoteric stack: P01 transport with separate PS, D-01 mono DACs (you need 2 of these, G0S Rubidium clock,
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
If I may jump in, I should like to mention my preferred CD/SACD player of record, the single box Teac Esoteric X-01. I have posted a short review here on audiogon where I compared it to the Bel Canto PL1-A and the Bermester 001. See:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1090867688&openfrom&1&4#1
I have not heard the EMM so I am not going to comment on it. I have heard the CDS big stack two years ago, but only once. While I did like it enough, it did not leave a strong impression.
Since my original audition in NYC, I have listened to the X-01 several more times, at length especially at a friend's place. My initial subjective impressions of extremely elegant yet unadorned musical accuracy stand. I am planning to acquire a unit next month.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Whoopadeedoo, do you mean something like the Accuphase DP-77? Heard. . . looks great. . . and the sound. . . sure is different!
Judy, feeling a touch acidulated today?
All, let us not knock Norm's Halcyionic active isolation platform quite yet. From the only thread discussing it on the Gon, it looks like it was born for and is mostly still use for mechanical isolation of laboratory equipment. See:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1112411577&read&keyw&zzhalcyonic
From what I can tell its manufacturer's claims are at least in principle quantifiable and verifiable. I may have to start selling lemonade on my driveway during weekends. . . perhaps some day I will be able to afford one of these creatures as well. . . and in case of earthquake I will climb on top of one for 'total protection'.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Sure thing Judy. . . no prob. As soon as you reciprocate, of course. . . and watch that helico-bacterium pilori. . . truly nasty stuff it can be! It can do a real number on your gastric pH. On the other hand riding a halcyonic platform might help. . . the Mythical Halcyon, in the shape of the Kingfisher, had in antiquity the power even to calm the winds and the waves of the Kraken. . . . or so I am told. . . that was before my time.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Judy, to be more precise, as the Hugo is sadly no longer in production, we all mount 8K cryotreated contact-enhanced tires on our NOS Hugos. Sorry. . . tis a matter of 'pride of ownership'.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Judy, you stated:

"Listening for yourself requires a good ear and hard work. Some just prefer to follow the leader and go with the flavor of the day hoping the leader knows what he is doing. This is frequently not the case."
regretably your post is undecidable: the pronoun 'this' you utilize in your third assertion can arbitrarely be interpreted as being an abstraction of either the 1st or the 2nd assertion., hence I have no idea if I can agree with you or not.
Don't you just love these metadiscussions? (chuckles!)
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Ah Judy, that really hurt! Unfortunately I am largely abstinent, so I hardly ever experience the benefits of an altered state. . . would like to more often, though . . .
Alcohol after all is known to intensify one's musical experience.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
'Tis the hurricane season Norm. . . this too will blow away. enjoy your Halcyonic!
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Lush, don't keep us in suspension. .. tell us all! Guido
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hmmm, Norm, yet think of the savings. . . the D-01 DACs are only half chassis boxes. This means that you will require only 4 Halcyonics for your front end instead of 5. So the front end would cost only 56K + 28K for the platforms = 84K. Oh Wow, that's a full 7.5K savings!
Oh never mind, I forgot to take into account PCs and digital ICs.
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