Advice needed re: new CD player purchase


Hello everyone. New member but long-time lurker here. My system: Bryston 4B-ST amp, Bryston BP25 preamp, and Meridian 508.24 CD player (all purchased in 1998 and all performing flawlessly), Kimber KCAG balanced interconnects, Audioquest speaker cable, and Esoteric power cords. I have Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers.

I have about 4500 CDs (about 3% of which are hybrid SACDs). I love my system, but I want a new CD player. Am I right to think that advances in audio technology over the last 24 years have left my Meridian in the dust, sonically speaking? So I have been looking at various players. A few parameters: I will only buy new; I want XLR outputs; and I’d prefer to not spend over 5k.

I’m looking hard at the Bryston BCD-3, and the Technics SL-G700. Having owned Bryston products now for almost 24 years, I’m extremely impressed by their build quality and performance. However, the BCD-3 is not an SACD player. I’ve read a few solid reviews of the Technics, but I’m suspicious of their long-term reliability. There are no dealers where I live or within 200 miles. I looked at the Marantz line, and their only player with balanced outputs is the SA-10, which I’ve heard is awesome but I’m unwilling, at this point, to pay $7500 (although my mind is not closed on the matter).

Anyone here have either the Bryston or the Technics player? Will I notice a marked improvement with a new player (as compared to my 508.24)? Like most of you, this is my life. After work, I listen 2-3 hours per day, sometimes more on weekends. Thanks in advance for your advices.
jeroboam

You asked whether you would hear a significant difference over your Meridian CDP, I have the 508.20 the little little brother of your 24. I don't care what you buy but you will definitely hear a big difference, welcome to the 21st century.

 

I considered the Bryston in my search as well--a good choice if you can't afford an Esoteric

but I don't regret for a second my purchase of a Marantz KI Ruby sacd--you might find one still (limited production) and the price is quite reasonable for the quality 

It's the last player I'll buy I hope 

It is said " if it is not broken - don't fix it ". PLEASE - trust your ears.  Apart...."better the devil you know than the one you don't " VIVA LA MUSICA !

The issue isn't your CD player.  It's in the DAC inside your CD player.   Take the optical output into a good DAC and you're done.   Balanced connectors are meaningliness unless you're running long lines.

But if you're totally intent on spending more than you need to, the PS Audio Directstream DAC is probably a good move.  Has balanced outputs and doesn't use any off the shelf IC-DAC chips.  All fo the work is done in software, which they can update.  No need to be concerned with outdated hardware.

Just bought a used Audio Research player after years of high end computer audio. I think it sounds fantastic but have always been an Audio Research fan. My main consideration in buying a mint used product was......are they still around and do they stand behind their products. That's just me. We all have our preferences.