2. home-theater
  3. 1205549713

Best universal player under $3000

My DVD player (an old Kenwood Sovereign) is toast. I want to upgrade it significantly and figured I'd replace my CD player (a Jolida JD-100) as well just to consolidate a bit. The rest of the systems includes a Sunfire Theater Grand 2 pre/pro, Music Hall MMF7 turntable, Parasound Halo A52 amp, and Paragism Signature S4 speakers.

I'm looking at the $1500-2500 range of CD/DVD/universal players on the used market. I care a lot more about the audio playback than the video. It seems that the McIntosh 861, Krell DVD Standard, and Moon Orbiter are all options, and there seem to be a few more. I've heard a lot about the Esoteric as well.

I'm also thinking about replacing the Sunfire, so any thoughts you have in that regard would be helpful. I was reading a bit about the Krell S1000.

Thanks!

Adam
azirkin

Showing 1 response by 2chnlben

2chnlben
595 posts
 
Since exceptional audio is your objective, you might want to consider getting a reasonably-priced universal (rated high for video output) to use as a transport and run it through an outboard DAC. PS Audio has a DAC (Digital Link III) that retails for $995 and has received exceptional reviews. I have personally heard this DAC and I am considering getting one to mate with my Rotel RDV-1092.

By the way, the Rotel unit, at $1500, does provide exceptional audio (but I can hear a difference when it is run through the DL-III).

Read up on this remarkable little DAC - for the money, it's very impressive.
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