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CD Player recommendations for a SET system

I thought I'd post this in the Amp Pream forum for the SET experts. I have 211 mono blocks and DB-99 speakers. I am trying to find a CD player which will give some dynamics to the sound. Budget is about 2k for a used player. My system sounds very good currently (using an older sony CD player) but large scale orchestra sounds somewhat conjested. Vocals and smaller scale music is great. What CD players have you SET users found that work best in the combo.

Thanks
tickfight

Showing 2 responses by amfibius

amfibius
282 posts
 
Tickfight, I think that Larry gave you the best answer A good CD player might improve your problem but it won't solve it. I would be looking at room acoustics and speakers if I were you.

Having said that, I recently had a good listen to a Consonance Droplet CDP which you may be able to find around $2k secondhand if you are lucky. Excellent detail resolution and superb dynamics.
amfibius
282 posts
 
Tickfight, you asked if it is possible for a SET system to produce dynamic sound. For me, the answer is an emphatic "YES"! My system (see link below) consists of a pair of Cary CAD-805AE SET's which put out 50W/ch, these are running a pair of ProAc D38's. I am using the Cary CD-306 CDP.

I am somewhat puzzled that your speakers cannot produce dynamic sound with SET's. VSA claims that the DB99 is 98-99 dB/W/m with a nominal impedance of 8 Ohms. That is a very easy to drive, very efficient speaker. My speakers are 91 dB/W/m, and 4 Ohm - they would be absolute pigs to drive compared to yours!

I am a classical fan also. One thing which I noticed with my new system is that it really shows up the bad recordings. Like, virtually the whole DG catalogue. Listening to an SACD really lifts the sound by a notch - incredible dynamics with natural sounding voices and violins. On SACD's like Carlos Kleiber's recording of Beethoven #7 on Orfeo (you MUST get this if you are a classical fan, BTW!), the orchestra is layered out in front of you and extends precisely to the left and right. It's quite something to hear individual instrumental timbres even in the middle of a fortissimo.

I really don't know what's happening on your end. Like Larry said (and I agree), a new CDP will not correct confused sounding music very well. Maybe it would help if you told us what SET you are running, what tubes, and what CDP you are using.
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