Try the Accuphase 75, 65, 55 before you make a final decision. |
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. |
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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 |
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. |
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 |
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. |
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. |
SACD does nothing for CD, and I'd put the CD-50 up against any SCD-1, any day... |
Sony SCD-1.It makes ordinary CD's sound great let alone what it does for SACD's |
The Resolution Audio CD-50 beats any Wadia, especially the 830. Bring it by for a shootout anytime, cause this one is KILLER... |
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 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. |
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. |
Hmmm Accuphase 75V and Goldmund 37DA ++.....then maybe Wadia |
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... |
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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 |
I'd put my Resolution Audio CD-50 up against any of them, even the Sony SCD-1!!! |
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. |
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 |
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. |
The Melos DVT 24/96 with all tube analog output stage waxes the BAT VK-D5 in A/B comparisons. The Melos also bested the ARC CD2 in the same A/B comparisons. Both the BAT and ARC sound dry and thin compared with the Melos. The BAT has a better feel to its mechanism but sound wise there is no comparison on 16/44.1 stuff. The Melos sells for $1895 new and with some of the Chesk/Classic 24/96 recordings sounds as good as many high-end TT setups. |
To be honest, I have been out of the market for years. I heard a Sony CD ES77X in 1989, could not afford it, but got the 55 instead. There was a difference, but the 55 did have a soundstage, unlike other CDPs and honestly, I have not bothered to listen to anything since. I had heard mega buck US attempts at musical CD players, DACs, etc. But, to my utter shock and amazement, the Sony blew them all away. I believe, that if you have the three grand, you shold get the decendent of the first musical CDP, and in 10 years or so, you too may be amazed that as much gear has come and gone, your Sony remains. :-) Lou |
I bit the bullet and bought a Levinson, and I don't miss that money for a second. I'm stunned a CD player can have this much impact on a system, but it did to mine. It's so much better than the c-j I had. |
HAVE OWNED A SONY CDP - XA7ES FOR 3 YEARS, IT HAS EXCELLENT SOUND AND VERY RELIABLE. CABLING VERY IMPORTANT,TRIED MANY HAD EXCELLENT RESULTS WITH SYNERGISTIC LUMINESCENCE II FROM CD TO PREAMP & KALEIDOSCOPE II PREAMP TO AMP. |
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Balanced Audio Technology VK-D5 and the Meridian 508.24 are both excellent CD players. The Meridian 508.20 on the user market is another option. Good luck.. |
Best cd player is no cd player.Whatever you have will not reproduce your music adequatly.Do not deceive yourself and get a good analog.And if your ears are not that good,why bother at all? |
Quite a response to the "Best CD Player" inquiry. I have to agree that the BAT VK D-5 is absolutely top of the line. It does everything right and is priced within reason. The Linn Sondek CD-12 is incredible, but so is the $20K price tag! Anyone shopping for a quality CD Player at a very reasonable price should audition the Arcam Alpha 9 24/96 CD Player ($1,600). This unit responds very well to a power cord upgrade (I use the incomparable PowerSnake Black Mambas in my system), which enables it to really "strut its stuff." The Arcam Alpha 9 outperforms many players in the $3K to $5K price range. Check it out and you may not want to search any further. |
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Wadia 860. It's the smoothest thing I have heard for under $10,000. |
I did the A/B on the same system BAT vs Levison. BAT hands down didn't even sound like a CD player more like a record or high end single channel tape system. The only thing I can think of that will be better is when Victor puts the 5se tubes in the CD player. |
I see some of you mentioned the Meridian 508.24 & Naim CDS2. These are definitely great CD players. However, I think there needs to be an addition to that list. This may surprize some of you but the Adcom GCD-750 is remarkable player. And at an affordable price, by audiophile standards, I hardly think it can be beat. Alternatives: Musical Fidelity X-Ray; Alchemist Nexus; Naim CD3. |
I see some of you mentioned the Meridian 508.24 & Naim CDS2. These are definitely great CD players. However, I think there needs to be an addition to that list. This may surprize some of you but the Adcom GCD-750 is remarkable player. And at an affordable price, by audiophile standards, I hardly think it can be beat. Alternatives: Musical Fidelity X-Ray; Alchemist Nexus; Naim CD3. |
have any of you heard the Linn Sondek CD-12? I know it is double the $10k limit but would like to know if it is all it is cracked up to be. |
Look at the Meridian 508.24, EAD 2000 is stunning at that price, Anthem CD1 is also an excellent choice with the tube output stage. |
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I've owned the Muse 8/296 for 4 months now and not that I've heard them all, but while shopping for the player and then later for speakers I did not hear anything better with CDs not to mention 24/96 discs or DVD video which are also great. The DVD capability is a bonus since in my opinion the combo plays CDs incredibly well and is at least right up there with the best that cost considerably more. Slaving the transport to the master clock seems to be an effective solution to the jitter issue. Somewhat as an aside, I've also heard people say DVD transports are not optimized for CD playback and "won't sound as good". Not so in this case in my experience. As it is now and also being upgrade-able, my need for investment protection is also satisfied. Definitely a "must listen to" setup if you are in the market. |
Best (to my ears): Accuphase DP-75 Naim CDS II |
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Another vote for the amazing AH! Tjoeb. I wouldn't trade mine for any other player I've ever heard. |
Some here have mentioned Sony players,....uh no, they may do something sonically correct but are not musical, they do not convey the emotion,...try a Meridian 508.24, Yba CD 1 or CD2, Copland 289, BAT VK5i, or Electrocompaniet ECM-1, all below $10,000 |
California Audio Labs...All they make is CD and DAC equipment.Even the entry level models have good sound. |
Naim CDS2 is the best player I've heard. Makes you think music - not hi-fi. I've heard the Krell 25, the top of the line YBA and the CD12. Don't listen to it if you can't afford it. I did and regret it. |
Since money is no object,why not throw a highly praised low cost player into the mix !Read the reviews at www.audiioreview.com about the AH!Tjoeb'98.At within a giveaway price of $1000.(US),you could a-b it with the most expensive units and hear how it fares.You can also use it in a second system,in your executive office at your summer home ,in another room ect. |
THE Sony XA7ES is incredible for the price, $3000 retail). It's made like a tank and should last for many years. Ease of use combined with it's sense of nuance makes it the most musical CD Red book player on the planet. I wouldn't own anything else. |
I have not heard a better sounding CD player than the Sony ES CDP-XA7ES. Absolutely fabulous sound (my reference) and built to last for many years. I've heard considerably more expensive players (transports, etc.), but why spend more if it doesn't get any better than this? I own one. |
Has anyone listened to the Muse Model 8/296 Combo? I disagree strongly with Wadia's approach to separates. Slaving the DAC (via proprietary clock link) is a waste of time because the mechanical reading device is a heavy jitter producer. A jitter reducer is a great step forward, but still not correct IMHO. The Muse system is DVD Audio compatible, software upgradable, and the DAC (Model 296) slaves the transport. (through a standardized I2S link) Best of all, both the 296 and 8 come in at about $6000. (much better than SF's similar set up for $14000 - which sounds great) Has anyone heard this combo? Please let us all know! |
