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CD player - need your opinion

I decided to try to replace my CD-player (a heavy modded Toshiba SD-4900). In the past 7 years I had the chance to listen to very few CD-players that, in my opinion, were performing great. And these are:
- Teac Esoteric UX 1 and DV-50
- Linn Unidisk 1.1, 2.1, Sondek CD-12, Ikemi
- Sony SCD-333ES, Swoboda
- Sony SCD-XA9000ES
- Tag McLaren DVD-32
- Theta David
- Accuphase DP-100 + DC-101
- Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista
- Naim CDS3 and CD5 + Flatcap II
- Burmester 001
- Mark Levinson 390S
- Wadia 301
- Arcam CD-23 T
- Lua Cantilena
- T+A CD 1240R

I liled them a LOT and, in my opinion these CD-players were head and shoulders over anything else that I listened.

I think the most I enjoyed Linn Sondek CD-12 and Naim CDS3.

The problem is that all these are over $2000 USD and I was never able to commit that much.

Even right now, I cannot commit more then $1150 for a CD-player (new or used in pristine condition).

My question: for $1,150 USD, what I can get in today market that is close to what I liked?

Thank you for you opinions.
rmihai

Showing 5 responses by rmihai

rmihai OP
55 posts
 
Thank you,

Audio Aero sounds interesting. I will have to check into that.

I liked indeed Naim CD5 but ONLY togheter with Flatcap 2!!! Without it, sorry, I do not care about it. And this is my problem. Both of them will be over my budget. Just the CD5 I don't like it.

Arcam - I tried CD92, and I found that is not as close as it theoretically should be to CD23. Sorry, I don;t care about CD92.

I didn't listened yet to Jolida stuff. I tried to say aside from the Chinese stuff. But I will give it a try.

Thank you once again to all of you
rmihai OP
55 posts
 
Indeed - FMJ-23 should be available at within my range. But I just couldnt find one in a good shape.

I've heard about Eastern Electric Minimax, never listen to one. I do not care about HDCD, and I do not trust Chinese manufacturers (yet). But I will try to find one to listen to it.

Thank you once again.
rmihai OP
55 posts
 
Thanks you - DAC's ? Sorry - my opinion about them? Over priced. None that I listend to is worthing more then $600. I went to all Ack Dack, Bechmark, you name it. Is just marketing and perception. DAC's are still very very far then what they should be.

I will stay away from DAC, and I recommend to everyopne to do the same.

Regarding their comparison with Electrocomaniet - give me a break. I've made several A/B's There is no DAAC out there able to compete with the REAL CD-players (yet)
rmihai OP
55 posts
 
DAC - this is not the point. I just said that for the time being the external DACs are too overpriced.
rmihai OP
55 posts
 
Thank you Bautista, your comments are making sense. I was thinking more in the last couple of days, and indeed, it seems that an external DAC is the way to go. I listened systems with Bel Canto 1 and 2 and I liked both of them. There is no argument about that.
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