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Best cd player from list to make with Creek & Vandersteen

Hi, 

I recently picked up a Creek 4330SE integrated amp and I love it! I love the smooth, warm british sound of this "little" amp. I love this sound so much, I'm looking for cd player that has similar characteristics to mate with it, along with my Vandersteen 2C's. Here is a list of some players I have been looking at. My current player is an NAD C545BEE. The 545 is nice, but I think I'm looking for something more lush sounding to accompany the creek and vandies. Here my list thus far. Price range of these players is wide, but my ceiling is around $300. Any comments/comparisons of these players would be helpful, as well as what would mate well with my gear. 

1. Cambridge Audio CD4SE
2. Arcam CD73
3. Linn Mimik
4. Cal Audio Labs Icon mkII
5. Rotel RCD-955
6. Rega Apollo

jsbach1685
5 responses Add your response
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
the Cal Audio Labs Icon with PowerBoss sounds about the same as an Oppo 103 - I know because I directly tested my old one vs. the Oppo for several days 

everything you listed is a quality item, but I'm not sure they can be had for $300

Oppo will come out with new players soon and the low end one will be about $500 PLUS it plays all video discs, and can serve as a DAC if that helps on the price

re: more lush - you will have to compare by listening as you want some elevation in low treble and upper mid range to give you that euphonic but distorted sound

or buy an ARC pre & amp ;]
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mb1audio
151 posts
 
I had a similar Creek/Vandersteen system and used a Rotel RCD 1072. You may have to wait for one to come up for sale, but its worth it. When I sold mine here on AG a while back, I got top dollar for it about 5min after I hit the enter key to post the listing.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
If you like the sound of the Creek integrated so much, why not purchase a Creek cd player to mate with it?  I believe Audio Advisor sells them.
mb1audio
151 posts
 
" If you like the sound of the Creek integrated so much, why not purchase a Creek cd player to mate with it? I believe Audio Advisor sells them."

Your recommendation certainly makes sense, but there's a couple of things to consider. Starting with the Destiny, Creek began using bipolar transistors instead of mosfits. They also started putting active line stages in the newer gear, where the OP's Creek is a passive. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes, but Creek now has they're products made in Asia, and not in the UK like the 4330.

What I'm trying to say here, is that newer Creek gear doesn't sound like what they used to make 10+ years ago. Given that, I would just recommend caution, and be aware of the differences so there's no suprises. 
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