The best kept secret is the PROCEED pcd by Madrigal (Mark Levinson maker). Newest technology then Mark Levinson #39. Sound much more live with beutifull bass extention- and at a resonable price. The best choice in this changing environment for cds. |
Try and listen YBA CD integre model.This player has absolutely neutral frequent - amplitude characteristic. Only please use worthy amplifier and quality power cord! I am sure, if you love a living sound you estimate this model |
I have heard and seen many players,but i belive sony cd players rule for the money.I can always listen to my c77es and be pleased.They are worthy of their praise. |
I'd put my Resolution Audio CD-50 up against any of them, even the Sony SCD-1!!! |
If you are going to go by what others suggest, just look at how many Wadia 850s and 860s grace the systems at CES 2000. Those guys sytems have to sound their best, their livelyhood depends on it. If you don't have to have a preamp go for the Wadia 860. I was in the same situation as you wondering which way to go and I talked to some Wadia owners and they said that the #39 wasn't nearly as good as the Wadia. Read the May 98 issue of Stereophile for the review of the 850. In that review they dirrectly compare the BAT player to the 850 and the 39 to the 850. I think the descriptions say a lot about the sound of each player. Good luck |
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I'd definitely pit my CD-50 against anybody's Wadia 850 or 860, Melos DVT 24/96, Levinson 39...JUST BRING IT ON! Wadia's filter is down 3dB at 20 kHz. WHAT GOOD IS A SLOW ROLL OFF FILTER IF IT BECOMES A TONE CONTROL WELL WITHIN THE AUDIBLE RANGE?? Upsampling COUPLED with a slow roll off filter is another story, but we're talking about one piece units here. Yes, I can hear 20 kHz, and beyond...most of us can, unless we're old... |
Hmmm Accuphase 75V and Goldmund 37DA ++.....then maybe Wadia |
THE ONE YOU HAVE. AT LEAST UNTIL ONE FORMAT EMERGES AS THE BEST FOR MUSIC. I BOUGHT A BETA VCR SEVERAL YEARS BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE PICTURE WAS BETTER. I HAVE A 15 YEAR OLD SONY THAT IS STILL GOING STRONG. I'VE LISTENED TO SEVERAL OTHERS AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES. TO MY EARS THE DIFFERENCES ARE SUBTLE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO HEAR CONSISTENTLY EXCEPT IN A DIRECT COMPARISON. I DON'T WANT TO IMPLY THAT OTHERS DO NOT HEAR SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES. OUR OWN EARS ARE THE BEST JUDGE OF WHAT WE AS INDIVIDUALS HEAR. PAYING MORE IS NOT ALWAYS AN ASSURANCE OF BETTER SOUND. |
The Wadia 860 I'll put this player up against any player under $8K It simply awesome! Please contact me if you need any reassurance of it's calibre. |
I do agree with Hoffa new Wadia 860x blows everything away,however it is expensive and for more modest option I say go for Wadia 830...for the money can't beat it.... happy listening |
The Resolution Audio CD-50 beats any Wadia, especially the 830. Bring it by for a shootout anytime, cause this one is KILLER... |
Sony SCD-1.It makes ordinary CD's sound great let alone what it does for SACD's |
SACD does nothing for CD, and I'd put the CD-50 up against any SCD-1, any day... |
I have listened to many one box units and have to agree it all comes down to the other stuff in your rig. After auditioning players from Proceed, Audio Research, Krell, CAL, Cary, and Sonic Frontiers, I bought the Sonic SFCD-1. It may not be everyones fav but, I and my wife and everybody else that we have let borrow it all say the same thing... it's awesome. And for about $1500 used I'm not sure you can do much better. The Proceed can be had new for $2000 but all truth be told in my current system I could not tell much of a difference between it and my previous player the marantz cd67se (although it was modified) Anyway, that's my take. |
What's the deal with guys using the names of women as their member names. Seems like they'd have identity "issues"...that's my take...no offense, I guess, whatever floats your boat. |
Of course the Linn is rated the best in stereophile, and is a wonderful machine. At 20K very little of the audio community will spend this. I recently puchased a CD player. I auditioned accuphase,Sim Moon Eclipse, Theta and BOW. The Sim Moon Eclipse was very good, but was a little bright and sibilant. At 5k I expected more of an improvement over my old Theta ( I listened to Sim Moon in my home for over a week). The accuphase was a little laid back and too polite(listened in a friends home.It did not sound good with HDCD's). Then I bought a Bow technologies ZZ-8! absolutely wonderful. I have never had one piece of equipment make such a temendous difference in soundstage and detail- and the bass is increadable! This player is $7500 and hard to find in the states. I placed an wanted ad and bought one for $3000. I know where one is for $2800. If you are Interested. Mike Thiel |
Wadia 270/27ix using Aura Symphoin Optimism glass for clock link and Transparent REF Digital for signal path, as well as the Wadia Power DAC using the same cableing with 270 transport, or the Linn Sondek CD12. All others are not even close with exception of top Naim with out board power supply (close but not quite, but for the cost it is worth a lsiten), then the top meridian is also worth a listend for the money but still not up to the top three. Sony SACD, close when playing the SACD's but no titles available and will never fly (FACT). Also when listening and comparing the CD12, use a referance preamp, not a mid line preamp, these preamps will not be true referance comparisons as well as using top end cables over mid line which tend to be colored cables. When it is all said and done, most likely the Linn CD12 will come out on top along with Wadia. The Krell's Top CD/Pre?, not even close in my opinion, and any Japanese brand can not even touch the knees let alone the shoulders of the referance CD players listed, I owned the Denon DPS1 ($8K) what a joke, Sony's top X7 (almost comical in comparison), CEC TL0 MKII (No way, very similar sonic signature as the Denon DP-S1) and can give it away for 30% of retail. But we all have different ears enjoy your search as I have been through everything just listed and more to come up with my top three picks. |
Trying to narrow down amps to buy used for $2000 or less. Now have Proac Response 2.5's, CJ PV12a preamp. Selling my CJ Premier 11a to gain more rythmic punch, drive and woofer control but do not want to go too far towards an analytical sound. Looking at Levinson 27.5, Threshold Stasis 200, Plinius 100, Bryston 4BST. Any first hand experience and opinions? Thanks. Chet McHenry |
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I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the Pioneer PD-65. Great unit, a little old but still sounds fabulous. The sony's aren't bad but I feel the Pioneer's a little better (you can get it used for around $400). It's a close call, but you can't go wrong with the older sony es' or the pioneer. Also, I woulkd like to check out the better DVD (like the Pioneer mentioned) players to see if the rumours are true that they offer premium sound for a pauper's price. In addition, I agree with the sentiment that it's crazy to spend thousands on a rapdily advancing technology like CD, due to extemely poor resale value (unless this doesn't matter). I'd much rather spend that money on LP recordings and analog.'Nuff said. |
Try the Accuphase 75, 65, 55 before you make a final decision. |
YES, THE LINN SONDECK CD12 IS THE FINEST BUILT, FINEST SOUNDING CD PLAYER IN THE WORLD, HOWEVER, HE IS NOT LOOKING TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY. THE BEST BUY IS THE LINN IKEMI. HDCD, AWESOME LINN-BUILT CD ENGINE. SMOOTH AS SILK TRANSPORT AND DRAWER. SWEEEET!!!! |
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The new Accuphase DP-77V. |
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Resolution Audio CD50 and CD55 - as good as the very best currently available! |
Stay away from Sony its digital sewage.The best i heard was 47 labs cd player. |
Bat D5 SE with the 24 bit D/A upgrade |
Something to consider: Every Sony that has ever been made can be seriously improved with the implementation of better output devices. Sony has NEVER used the kind of output gain stages that you will see in the Wadia, BAT, Levinson or Linn players. I am very concerned about Sony players being labelled as the "best". How can this be? If the Sonys have such an inherent weak sonic link in their overall circuitry design that can be easily modified and improved, they are far from being the "best". |
IMHO The Electrocompaniet EMC-1 MkII is incredible for around $3500 net. |
BestOne Box CD/SACD Player is the Accuphase DP-85 followed by DP-75...Aero Capital 24/192 |
Did you do it ?
Have you compared upgraded D5SE to the stock unit?
Impressions ? How did the sound changed ?
Does it worth $800 BAT asking for upgrade ? |
Oracle CD2500. No contest IMHO
Russ |
The best CD player made is the one YOU like and most important the one YOU can afford :) Peace. |
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Wadia 861 SE with Great Northern Sound Company statement modifications |
Cool, a now five year-old thread to post (possibly useless) subjective opinions on the best CD player...ha ha ha ha ha!
Never mind the "value" of subjective opinions, think about how much the technology has changed and improved over that time!
In ten years, this thread will be even funnier! ;-) |
The Wadia 861se now sets the performance benchmark for $10K or under CDPs, at this date. |
Sorry resolution audio gang. I replaced my 55 with the Electrocompaniet emc-1 mk2 and there is no contest. |
Few people are really qualified to make a sound statement like that. Personally, I am not. I have listened to only few other high-end players (top Wadias, top NAIMs, Audio Research, few others) attached to different electronics/speakers and in various locations. Finally, I bought the Accuphase SACD/CD DP-85, I am very happy with it and try to stay that way. Otherwise, the hunt for a "supposedly better player" will never end. It is indeed a great-sounding player, a pleasure to look at and a piece of state-of-art audio engineering. It has a build-in combination of upsampling/oversampling circuitry (a specific Accuphase brand which even very existence the company will NOT officially acknowledge). It really opens ears to the fact that CD recording quality varies tremendously and the best of them equal, if not even exceed (say JVC XRCD), a current SACD sound quality standard. Furthermore, the CD player alone will not make up for a mediocre speaker system, for example. Is it the best single-box CD player on the market? May be - may be not. It IS, for example, according to the German magazine AUDIO, which is as 'unbiased' audio magazine as the commercial publication of this sort could ever (afford to) be. Outside of Japan it is quite pricey, indicating a hefty surgarge imposed by the government together with distributors/dealers cut + transportation cost. In my opinion, there is at least a dozen of serious contenders for the title "the best CD player". If anything, a true comparison would be a formidable effort by aligning high-class "comparable/synergistic" electronics, identical mega $$$ speakers, double-blinded sessions in the same listening room, on reference quality software, and ... still verdict might be a very personal one. So I would advise to treat discussion like this as a good starting point to collect an initial list of player to audit for a search of YOUR best CD player. |
I had to jump in, since there are about equal numbers voting for Meridian and Sony.
I traded my 506.20 for an SCD-777ES. If I had to pick one (for CD only!) definitely the Meridian, and it ain't a 508.24 or a 588 for that matter. Someone above said the Sony's don't convey the music - of course they do, but Meridian just does it better. I'd love to hear the Naim. And no, I would never spend 4k on a new 508.24 when I could get "good" sound for 500 bucks. The differences are subtle - re-read almost every CDP review anywhere where there's a comparison made -- it's in there, just look again -- they almost always say "the differences were subtle." Sometimes they guess at it (and even say so!).
And now MY 2 CENTS -- If you really want SOTA, spend 10K or more on some of the models suggested above and then sell it for half price next year to get the new SOTA. Otherwise, get a great used player (like the 777ES, Meridian, Linn models, etc etc), pay no more than 2k, and start spending more money on room correction - there's no better place for the money (assuming you can live with your speakers and electronics) at that point. |
I think the AudioFunkadelic 9504, is by far the best, no contest !!!!!! |
I own a (beloved) 508.24 and have demoed at home the following other players:
- ML 39: WAY cleaner, proper and high endish sounding but NO emotion - boring
- Accuphase DP55V: detailed and articulated but also a tad souless in my humble opinion; nice but no cigar
- Quad CDP99: very nice unit for the money (actually a real bargain) - awfully close to the 508; remote volume control a nice feature; a tad (and I mean very little more) thicker sounding than the 508; an excellent choice but no real upgrade over a 508
- Consonance 2.2: very refined, airy and musical - actually outdoes the 508 on these factors ... but lacks crually slam and weight in the low end; not enough boogie factor.
- Musical Fidelity Nuvista 3D: perhaps a question of system synergy but in mine, I would give it 3/10: forward soundings, almost brittle, no musicality (really strange considering the rave reviews and the tube construction; perhaps have I tested a defective unit?)
- Wadia 301: nice but also no cigar. a tad mechanical. not enough alpability; quality of timbres not up to par with the 508.
- and finally yes I tested recently the new Meridian G08: which left me wondering, as I had it at home only for 1 evening; clearly outguns the 508 in terms of pace, slam (yes it's possible), rythm, attack, speed sensation and (more marginally) detail/air; but in my system & for my taste it was almost too much excitement, and emotion/musicality were somehow left a bit wanting. Perhaps was it not fully broken in, and by playing around with set up, cables, ... could I have had reached real happiness but didn't have time. I would say lots of potential but jury's still out as far as I am concerned.
Hope that helps - any good advice on clear winners over the 508.24 would be appreciated (Res. Audio Opus 21, AA capitole MKII, Accuphase 67 or 77???).
My system is currently B&W N802, then all Meridian, 508.24 CD, G02 preamp and 559 amp (fantastic units btw), Fadel art interconnect and Audioquest Gibraltar biwire cables.
Thank you! |
I have noot heard all of these but they are worth mentioning if you are going to consider big buck players:
Meridian: 808, G08
Audio Aero: Capitole-II
Reimyo 777
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The BAT D5SE is now available with the SUPERPAK upgrade, which adds further capacitance above the standare SE SIXPAK upgrade.
So far, in my listening, I have noticed deeper and tighter bass and more dynamics. It is still in the break-in process. |
Give the Aloia a try. It smokes a lot mentioned here. It also allows for two digital inputs for other digital sources. Digital output, RS232 for upgrades and 12 volt switch on. It also has a tuner module as an option. It uses inductive power supply and does upsampling. 8007524018 |
I just wish that those who stated "the best that I've heard" identify specifically what they have heard. Otherwise it sounds like joke. I would also be very interested in particularities. For example: "best” because it has more energy or more musical or more details or more transparent etc. The most fare way to respond would be to say - in my system which consist of so and so I prefer this player because it sounds more transparent, musical, dynamic, etc then so an so which I have heard before in my system.
I'm always wondering how people could say what is "the best" even in the same system. For a year or so I'm playing with two very well known DACs in the same system which I own, to the point when gold on the connectors begin to show ware of, and I still wouldn't be able to say that one of them is "the best” from those two or even that one is better then another. Each of them has pros and cons, plus it also depends on what CD you play at the moment. So, what is it all about? |
if below US$10,000....(not sure exactly about the price pts) I would recommend Reimyo, the new dCS P8i, Aero Capital Mk2 with the upgrades, and Wadia 861. Personally for just redbook among the above Reimyo was the best for me. |
