best digital set up 2006


After looking at so many posts that are old let's start fresh. There has been so many improvements in the recent years that I imagine that yesteryear products no longer can compete with what's new. What are the best players or dac / transport combos today. Regardless of price, this way no matter what your price point something can be found for all budgets. Ideally I want the best possible playback for under $2000. used.
pedrillo

Showing 1 response by jwpstayman

Shadhorne - I couldn't disagree more with you. cdp's have evolved in the past 10 years - most newer designs are using cd/rom drives and buffer memory, which eliminate jitter and sharply reduces read errors, providing the listener with better resolution, better dynamics, better low level detail, and more "air" in the presentation. Then there are the newer D/A chips from Burr/Brown, Cirus, and others, not to mention various software-engineered forms of upsampling. Compare a well engineered cd player (like any of the list below) from today to the very BEST designed cdp from 10 years ago and there is a huge difference in performance and it goes to today's gear.

For Pedrillo (who started this thread)- keep your eyes open for a used/bargain Cary 303/300, an Ayre cd7Xe, or a Resolution Audio(I forget the model) or an Audio Aero Prima for some great performance in your budget range.