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CD Player advice request...

I am looking for something with the following attributes but don't want to spend over say $3000...(so a bit of each attribute is better than any significant weakness)
(1) fast tight bass
(2) full bodied in both male and vocals
(3) not exaggerated on the high freqs
(4) excellent timing...prefer clarity over artificial warmth
(5) good timbres
(6) and most importantly - reliability!!!!

I have nailed it down to:
(1) Rega Saturn
(2) Bryston BCD1
(3) Naim CD5xs

any comments on how these compare, and any other brands, would be greatly appreciated!
acdvd
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
I might add the Gamut CD-3 to your list.Very musical and articulate,w/o sounding analytical.
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Sony XA5400ES...amazing and reliable for about $1100:O)
wpope
2 posts
 
If you already have a decent CD/DVD player as a transport, save yourself a lot of money and get a Beresford DAC. The 7520 model is already advertised on this site, but for the top of the line Caiman model, you have ask Stan Beresford nicely and he may send you one. He can be reached at info@homehifi.co.uk. The Caiman is a VERY limited production model that is hand-built and tested, all for about a quarter the price the Benchmark USB DAC-1.
I had a Benchmark which I liked very much, but to be honest, the Beresford is better with a bigger and more natural soundstage, more detail, better vocals. It is simply more musical. My transport is an old Panasonic DVD player, but that makes no difference with this little miracle. You will probably have to wait to get one, but trust me, it's worth it!
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
bryston bcd 1....late to the party, but they got the 'natural' or 'neutral' thing 'right'.
hgeifman
2,187 posts
 
Have you considered a used Ayre CX-7e CD Player?
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