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CD Player Recommendation

I know this has been done to death, but help if you can. I am downsizing to a one box CD player from seperates. My budget is $1800. I can't stretch any further and I am buying used. I am interested in any opinions on upsampling Cd players among others and I'm wondering if anyone other than a dealer has heard the Shanling player. I am definitely not interested in SACD or DVD Audio. To help here is my system:
Air Tight ATC-1 Preamp
c-j Premiere 11a amp
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Speakers (originals)
various wire.
Thank you all in advance for your help.
Jon
128x128jond
larryro
19 posts
 
Don't forget to think about a Meridian 508.24 -- retails for $4000, but available for $1800 from a motivated seller. Richly voiced player, very good air and detail, smooth top end. Awful remote, though. IMHO, the Meridian sounds a lot smoother than the stock Sony 777ES, which I found to be too bright for my tastes.
findoc
35 posts
 
Accuphase DP-55 (very musical)
Metronome CD-1V
Muse Model 9
Linn Ikemi (probably a bit of reach for your budget)
timisle
7 posts
 
I purchased a Cary 303/200 CD player used for $1200. It is the best I have had in my system which has included Theta data III and Linn Karik/Numeric combo. Give it a listen..
gbarwick
2 posts
 
Hey Jond, I think a Naim 3.5 would be a good match with
your Fabers.

Someone tell me about Sony SACD Players--one would think
that Sony would want them to be well made to lure people
to the format. Like to hear some owners notes.
john_l
782 posts
 
At the 1800 price point you have lots of options. The sony 777ES or XA777 would be my personal choices. The SACD tips them into favor for me. They are great stock but getting them audiomod'ed makes a huge improvement.

Other great players are the resolution audio cd-50, son xa7es ($1000) and the theta miles (echohifi.com has one for $975). The CD-50 has a wonderful analog output stage. Very quiet.

I have not heard either, but I understand the tube arc cd-2 and the tube cary cd-301 are great players.
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