Best analog sounding cd player under 5K

While this is long past the OP posting, many people review these threads to gleam information for their current day purchases, as such, I am offering my "limited value" two cents worth based on posters Qs and stated goals ("analog" sounding - or at least the description he specifies as analog sounding).

I have owned several of the units suggested in this posting and recognize the frequency that people often recommend the piece that they presently own, regardless of whether it meets the OP's goals - ie sort of analog sounding. So here it goes:

Resolution Audio Opus 21 with GNSC mods: This is a very nice CDP for the money and one I can recommend, but not for the goals of this poster. It hits much bigger than its price, but will not in my opinion sound "analogish".

Esoteric X-03SE and to a certain degree am bunching in the Esoteric sound here. Again, a phenom. player, but definately not to be confused with analog sounding. A unit I highly recommend but not for the OP goals.

EMM Labs is getting closer to the smoother sound (vs. above 2), but again is not likely to be confused with analog - but probably is taking him half way their.

DCS (now I owned the Purcell and Delius and not their transport). I loved these pieces and feel their performance was exceptional in every regard. I would not categorize them as analog sounding, but pretty darn neutral. I think these units (and their newer and better units which I have heard but not owned) are exceptional and will deliver what most people claiming to want analog really want in a CDP (ie. avoidance of strident, analytical, "harsh" sound).

Audio Aero Capitole is going to deliver what most people who say they are looking for an analog sound are going to like. This is a "sweet" sounding CDP, a little bloomy, definately warm and takes the "digital" edge off. I call this a beautiful sounding CDP for the said reasons, but be careful, is this really what you want all of the time? For some yes, for me no. I wanted more detail too often for this CDP to be truly acceptable to me over the long term (but I like detail). I think those that really want that "analog" like sound will find this most rewarding. My final comment on the AA units is reliability. They are made in France, they are not made well, they break down A LOT and hence they do not hold their value at all. But they are beautiful sounding.

Wadia - no confusion with analog sounding (but I like them).

MF Trivista units - I own the Trivista DAC, no this won't do it for the OP goals. Good, very good for the money, but won't hit his goals. I am assuming the DAC and CD have a lot of similarities, but I may be wrong on this?

All of the above I have owned. These I have listened to:

BAT - won't do it for him, not bad, just not in the same league.

Cary - some are interesting, decent sounding, but in the long run I don't think will meet the long term goals of the OP.

Others I would consider based on 2010:

AMR 77 ($$$) or AMR 777 ($)
Gamut?

David12, so sorry to hear of your troubles with the modded Opus 21. Knock on wood, I never had a single issue or hick-up with mine. I kept it a good while too and eventually contacted Steve before putting it up for sale to see if he had any lookers. He did and bought it back from me and sold it on.

Having owned the Esoteric and the Opus 21 at the same time, you are correct about the "flavor" of these two machines. While I would not call the esoteric cold, I think of it as pretty neutral, but very detailed. I don't consider the Opus warm or analogue, but certainly warmer than the Esoteric.

The differences as you point are, are not subtle. It doesn't take a fine tuned ear to hear the differences in the sound of the two companies/products.

Your comments are well presented.

Finally, on David's comment on the $5K level. All of the units I referenced in my prior posting were purchased by me for under $5K, some well under $5K. Of course, I generally purchase used and assume that is what the poster means, he has up to $5K to spend (vs. units that list for $5K new). But that is always a question as to how posters include pricing but not necessarily budget.

SMW - I haven't listened to the Ayon players and have only read about the PS audio perfect wave DAC. I have auditioned the Electro EMC and this is a warmer sounding player (vs. traditional digital sound). I had been tempted by this player and would agree that for those looking for the addition of some "warmth" that this would be a good audition/consideration. I have listened to this at about the same time I listened to a Lector and to be honest, due to time and neither in my system, I have a difficult time differentiating which was which. I think both are worth a listen and I also think both can be had at pretty decent prices used. This opens the possibility to buy and re-sell for little to no loss if done carefully.

My recollection about these players was that they were warmer, slightly less detailed. Bass reproduction gave the impression of being a bit looser, but not flabby. Nice midrange and female vocal reproduction with what seemed like somewhat rolled of highs (which I think is common for "warm" leaning players).

Now it should be noted that I am not a fan of warm sounding players over the long term as I am of the opinion that if I want to warm things up, I'd rather do it later in the chain. Since I generally prefer detailed and neutral versus forgiving and warm, I usually find that a copper or certain type of IC or SC is a better means for me.

I also have a tough time categorizing something as sounding "analog", which in my mind has its own pros and cons (I associate analog with records and the weakness of that medium - ie. noise/distortion/etc).

I am a little bit skeptical of PS Audio, I get the sense that they are a little bit gimmicky. I own their power generation and "filtering" components but have not honestly listened to any of their other stuff to offer any impression at all. My gimicky comment is maybe undeserved. It also concerns me that their dealers seem to be selling stuff one year after its introduced for 50% off, meaning to me that its used value is only about 25% of new list price!

I would read carefully the reviews on the Ayon stuff herein and I would be real interested to contact people that made ownership comments of some time prior and then to contact them outside of the posting to see if they still own this stuff or whether posts were made out of pride vs. reality. I think the "main" dealer for this stuff is a good marketer - take that for what it's worth.

On a final note, there are a couple of internet professional "review" sites, which I won't bother to name. I find their reviews even more questionable than the paper rags. Having actually purchased an item directly from the review process of one of these reviewers. The item arrived to me, after receiving a glowing review. The item didn't function properly and the mfg. said it was defective and the defect could not have had anything to do with shipping damages. Yet this defective product, which sounded awful to me in 5 minutes got a glowing review from the internet-only professional reviewer!

Jaffeassc, It is written above, by me. My Capitole has broken down twice, but not the transport. The entire STARS system needed to be replaced ($2K). It is currently not working, won't even power up. When I first started having problems I contacted the authorized US repair shop (after talking to Jody at Globe - distributor at the time). I sent the unit to Texas or Arizona, who couldn't do anything but change the tubes, anything else required it go to France - so off it went.

I also spoke with the former "authorized" service center for AA in the USA. Since I have purchased other products from him, I figured maybe he would be willing to help me out, at least take a look at it or give me the schematics. I was informed by him that they won't touch these units with a 10 foot pole. They are unreliable, difficult to fix (too many problems) and that to get a unit fully back to spec isn't worth the money as it will cost a lot!

They sound "beautiful" when they work, but anybody who doesn't already own one, should think long and hard about buying one (and I own one that will get repaired and eventually sold! unless of course somebody wants to buy a broken one with a brand new STARS system and brand new tubes). I guess they are designed for the same type of people that like Jaguars - nice to look at but best kept in the garage! With the primary goal being that they are kept in the owners garage at least as much as in the dealers garage. I guess that's why they are available for super cheap once the warranty runs out - just like the AA stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I think the AA units are beautiful sounding and I truly think everybody, regardless of their preferences for warm or cool or anything in between should hear one in a good system. At the prices they often sell for, they are definately worth the money even if it needs to be repaired once. I am glad your experience has been excellent, it makes me want to move ahead and get mine repaired again. I just wish I could find a schematic as I am 99% sure it is just a bad solder or connection somewhere in the initial power supply or along that path.

If anybody has the schematics, I would pay for a copy!!!!!!!!!!! Contact me outside of this forum if you have one.

As to Jags, they too are beautiful automobiles and a great car to have, as long as you also have another car to drive.

Coolhand, is user replaceable transport slang for computer CD-rom drive? I am not giving you grief, just wondering if that is what is meant by that. I have not heard the Unison Research players, I'll keep my eye out.

Last weekend I picked up a Levinson 390S. While I like it, it does not fit the description of the poster's goals of being analog sounding (ie. like an AMR or AA). It also took me 20 minutes to figure out how to open the drawer - I actually had to read the manual for this!

Sandra, the new SA-50 has digital inputs. I myself have been keeping an eye out for one of these at a favorable price used (the only way I typically buy, I know, I am a cheapo). I had the X-03SE and loved this player. Make no mistake though, it is not "analog" sounding (per OP's quest).

As to the Sim Audio, I have also been keeping my eye out for a supernova (one is now available used) which has the digital inputs as well as the next model up. Price certainly doesn't correlate directly with what one likes and outside of being able to afford something, shouldn't be a factor in choosing what one buys, likes or dislikes.