Attn Vinyl lovers - what CD Player do you use?

SFCD-1

Since I'm rediscovering my vinyl collection that has been in storage for almost a decade, I'm probably better suited for the "CD lovers which turntable do you use?" thread, if there is one.

But anyway, I digress. My CD players of choice are my 2 Sony models, 1 old and 1 new. For SACD I prefer the XA5400ES and for normal redbook discs I use the classic XA7ES. I also own a Yamaha s2000 SACD player but if I have to choose it is the Sony.

I like my digital equipment to be well-engineered, reliable, and having no-nonsense ergonomic design. Can't beat Sony overall!

Most bang for the buck is top of the NAD line .

Marantz SA-1 it is as good as any vinyl or even better on some recordings. Sure vinyl has some beauties but it also some ...
On SA-1 I mean CD playback not SACD. SACD is not much better than a well recorded CD. There exist some superior SACD-s but not many. Again everything depends of recording quality.

I don't use any CD anymore. Who would when you can get high res streaming digital into a DAC like the PS Audio Directstream digital from Tidal or lots of other vendors who provide High Res. For $20 a month (less than the cost of one CD) you can stream albums to your hears delight. CD's are so yesterday.
Of course I still love and listen to my 2000 jazz LP's from the 50's and 60's. Nothing can replace these.

McIntosh MCD500

A Prima Luna CD-8 (when it's working) with Phillips & Mullard NOS tubes. Even better than (I'm committing heresy here) than my analog end (which, to be fair is 30+ years old)... Amazing sound stage, deep and tight bass, detailed yet mellifluous mids and a clean, precise treble... All in all, the most analog-sounding CD player I've ever heard in its price range ($3K)... but again with the-when-it's working caveat... Mine's in the shop for the second time in two years for repair. The Dutch engineering design is superb... the Chinese manufacturing perhaps less so, notwithstanding the fact that, from the outside it looks and feels very solidly built.

McIntosh MCD500 - a very lush, analogue sounding digital player.

Jyprez "CD's are so yesterday."

Haha that's what they said about vinyl 30 years ago. Physical media rules!

EMM XDS 1 V.2.

Replaced a spectacular and one of kind VSE modified Sony 5400 (balanced output stage and Uber Clock).

Just starting to come to terms with the EMM unit, but on first impressions, gorgeous! Detailed, big rich tonality, dynamic. Piano is uncanny.
Nothing analytical or cold here. Very nice. Looking forward to some comparisons with the vinyl rig, but as good as the VSE Sony was, the EMM is at a whole other level. It's not incremental.

REGA ISIS Valve cdp

a Goliath killer...

Luxman D-06u. Amazing SACD player with a phenomenal DAC.

bought a Sony DVP-S9000ES for dvd prior to bluray/HD in 2000. turns out to be a damn good sacd/cdp!

I got the Electrocompaniet EMC-1up when it first came out, it was one of the few at the time that was vinyl like even with bad recordings. It has been musical and forgiving in the most extreme high end system demos.

Luxman d06u 

Lindemann 825 with Shunyata power cord it decodes HDCD sounds very analog.

I just jumped in, so holy cow, this thread is 11 years old!!! Encyclopediabsh, have you picked out a CD player yet? Are you still with us, or are we just talking to ourselves?

Obviously!

Moving from a ModWright Oppo 105D to an Audia Flight CD One M next week.

I have always wanted to demo an Audio Flight CD player...

Unfortunately their distributor in NA has not put a lot of support behind the brand so they remain somewhat of a mystery here.  Their retail network is not very big, but I highly recommend an audition if you ever happen upon one.  Everything I've heard from their entry level to their reference line is very impressive. 

greg-
it is on my list- there are many excellent spinners coming from EU and Germany.

There certainly are, and many are mentioned earlier in this thread.  My only concern with Audia Flight is after-sales support and warranty work, if needed.  Their components are built like tanks, so I have my fingers crossed that they perform just as solidly. 

Mark Levinson 31.5 transport
Audiobyte "Black Dragon" dac

Anyone using an Audio Aero spinner?

I use Esoteric K01X and Orpheus both are world best single unit CDP

Of my 7 players, the Unison Research CDE with optional Dac, is the one I go to most. It is the most "non-digital" sounding player I've heard. You can listen for hours with no fatigue. Really musically involving. Probably more reel to reel sounding than Vinyl. Gorgeous.

My next go to is the Vincent CD-S8, more dynamic than the CDE but not as smooth, a very "listenable" player as well.

Simaudio Moon 650. Has a sound quality I like

Musical Fidelity NuVista CD (the new one). Amazing sound, very analog sounding, resolving, detailed, warm, and beautiful. Also built like a tank. 

How do the Electrocompaniet CD/SACD players sound?

All excellent spinners guys! Keep the suggestions flowing.

I say focus on buying a good sounding DAC and using a decent CD player as a transport.  In my opinion (don't kill me guys), you don't need to spend too much money on an expensive CD player. :)  I'm getting excellent results using a OPPO BDT-101IC Blu-ray transport player (about $400 dollars) connected optical to my Ayre Codex DAC.  

I use two vintage PLAYERS, JVC XL-Z1050 and MAGNAVOX CDB 473 with NOS.

I still like my Lindemann 825 and Audio Aero Lafontaine. Both get to the music in a realistic/emotional way. In other words, they draw you in and just sound right. I am really late at posting this but don't get to the forum party often.
I got to hear the AA against a computer/Lampizator dac with same recording burned to computer vs. CD and the player was more organic and real.

Added an original Rega Planet and Cambridge Audio 651c to the mix.

I use a Rega Saturn-R. It is a fine sounding CD player, built in the UK by a company who's primary business is Turntables. The Rega Saturn-R is actually a quality CD Transport, plus a multi-input DAC, built into one very heavy and rigid enclosure. It's a very elegant piece and it mates especially well with Rega's matching Rega Elicit-R integrated amp. Add a Rega TT and Rega speakers and you would have a very find sounding system, all from a single vendor.

Very nice! gwalt-

I have always wanted to demo the La Fontaine spinner. You are a lucky Man.

Agreed- reubent

the Saturn-R is very nice indeed.  Happy Listening!

Old MSB Link 3 with Burson Audio discrete Op amp upgrade. fed from various sources.

I recently upgraded from my Luxman D-06U to an Esoteric K-03X and now to an Esoteric K-01X.   I am finally at the point where I do not even think about another upgrade.

This endless Digital vs. Analog is non stop. Having owned both I can say both can be excellent and bad. Much is in the mastering and recording quality to begin with. early digital was new so like early analog it had issues but those days are many years gone. You have digital with its power supply and output and DAC that gives you the final sound and they will give a signature like all electronics. Then analog has platter, arm, cartridge, and setup quality and each produce their own significant signature. The LP pressings sound different base on mother pressing used or backups, then who cuts the disc. Digital mastering used, tape quality and generation, care taken and who did the mastering. Both care must be taken and system matching and your room that impacts sound more that your gear. I keep reading the BS always pushed forth by phile and TAS where digital version sounded unlistenable while playing that CD I don't hear it. So it must be their system, or room. Can CD sound bad, yep, can a LP sound bad yep. The nice thing about vinyl is you can get the older pressing used and to me that was the intended sound that they worked on, with now the reissue of some they have messed with it, trying to make it better like they do in digital at times. I like neither. There was a golden age of recorded music mid 50's through mid 60's. Those recording sound real, great tone, color and body and guess what they sound as good on well mastered CD. Most rock acts 60's sounded bad on vinyl due to compression used and mixed for radio and not high end systems. So these same records will sound bad no matter the format. The great thing about digital and still today is the amount of recording available that you never find on LP's unless you for lucky at a garage sale and then if it was playable. I never purchased used LP' unless they looked mint as new and even then you find needle grove damage and noise. I enjoy them both and years of experience I know what to look for a both to give me a good idea to buy or not. My digital of choice as been Japanese because it is their design they invented and understand. My current and one I enjoy daily is the Esoteric K-01. This player gives it like the recording played. It can be tube warm or forward aggressive or dry based on the recordings. So that is a good thing. My vinyl can sound the same based on recording, VTA and phono preamp used and its settings. So care must be taken in all areas. I like the large LP covers, I like the feel of involvement, even the clicks and pops make vinyl what vinyl is. What I like about digital is that it is flat as in natural to the mastering, I would say more honest and if done with outstanding realism. But to get this you better clean your CD's take with set up and make sure your room is cared for and made for listening to a highend system. Most of all what I like is collecting physical music and streaming will never be some I would want to do. Though streaming of songs out sell by far LP and CD which still out sells LP's. What LP sales were in their prime out sold in a monthly what LP' today sell in a year. I am glad to see people playing their records again, but I also would say there is a lot of great music to be had on CD. So if you like to collect, enjoy listen to a whole recording and just you favorite tracks from streaming then keep supporting both formats. As boomers die sales will decline and even many like myself that own so much it getting harder and harder to find something I need or want to buy. I am not buying just to buy any longer, something as to be good and interesting to buy. The new Beatles 50th anniversary release coming and remixed will be worth it. Having heard cuts on other Beatles CD's these will tronce either the LP's and CD Sonic's. Its about time they started on this project, imaging and placement is superb and the brightness of many Beatle recordings will be helped. Now these LP' and CD's will be worth the cost. The Beatles recordings were not that well done, White Album was about the best if sonics are your priority, the mono's come no where near what America was doing sonically. Compare any 50's Mono's and late 50's stereo to any later rock recordings, they for the most part cannot touch the experts in recording that we had. So technology gives us the tools to improve and hopefully better mastering and remastering will continue to gives us better enjoyment of loved music and the upcoming Sgt. Pepper will be something to behold. 

phillyb

phillyb,

Will have to try your recommendation on the Sgt Peppers. I have a mint MFSL / UHQR that is superb. I wish MFSL would do their "One Step" process on it. The Santana "Abraxas" is really Superb. Waiting for "Bill Evans Trio"
I use a 26-27 yr old JVC CDP.

gwalt-

the hope is that a company will come along and revamp the AA line.
A digital company from France would be the most logical step.

Happy Listening!

greginnh-

you have owned some very nice spinners. I was impressed w/ Esoteric for SACD playback only on the DV/SA 60 series.  Those spinners do not sound good (to my ears) on rbcd playback.

The K-01 / 01x  appears to be the sweet spot for Esoteric at that kind of price-point.  Most will stop there.  Looks like your journey has reached its peak, must be a good feeling.

Happy Listening!

Greg, i never enjoyed early Esoteric. The K series though really hit the mark. I will say best buy in a New CD player is Marantz Reference players, the new one is musical as the old one but more purity. I could live with any of them. The K01 is just more of everything. I like my vinyl and I like my digital I don't expect one to sound like other. When I read that crap in the magazines I laugh sounds more analog like, that is crap. Analog can sound many ways and as bright as a bad CD player or recording. Both formats you have to take care with setup, more electronics in a CD player so noise is a big thing like it is in preamps etc. Good power cords, great stand, clean your CD's and speaking that I've had many of the top ones and they made the sound different, some warmer to brighter. Go figure much like adjusting the VTA on a turntable go one way to far off it sounds bright, then the other was off to much bass. So much goes into your final sound like your room that any review is about worthless, you have to get the product in you own home, room and system. If people worked more on setup and their room they enjoy their system more. Sticking expensive speakers in corner or with gear and TV between them is a waste of money. Your audio system needs it own room and be dedicated to it and it alone. 

Nkonor,

I thought the British Blue Box was the best the Beatles sounded on vinyl. mobile Fidelity EQ them and I was not happy and really don't like a lot of their releases. Stones sounded better than any releases in Vinyl on the German Telefunken's label. In fact shocked me to hear them without all the reverb. Try to find original 1st pressings. They will always sound the best. 

phillyb, 

Exactly what I have been searching for; I hear the German label "Abraxas" is the one to have. Didn't know the label. Any other avenues to follow would be appreciated.
 I agree with your posts on analog and digital.
Play with gear of either but "Get Your Room Right" and "Dedicated"
Care in setup,dedicated ( No TV, HT, between the Speakers ) I am a fan of long ICs and TT out of the room. Classic Rock, some Jazz , tiny bit of Classical. I will look into the Marantz players ; the JVC will give up one day.

Thanks
nkonor