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CD Player Recommendations - System sounding shrill

Hi. I haven't upgraded anything in my system for several years, and no longer read Stereophile or visit stores, and find that I am really out of the loop on modern equipment. My system currently annoys me as I find it overly shrill sounding, and suspect it is the CD player which was never really up to par with the rest of the system anyway. The system is as follows:

Linn LP12
Audio Research LS7
Adcom GCD-575
Nakamichi PA-7
B&W 802

Astute observes will note that when I upgraded to the LS7 I no longer had a phono stage so I rarely use the LP12 anymore. The system lacks the bass extension that I would expect and believe it is the Adcom, however, I suppose it could be the Nak. Anyway, I wanted to correct this problem, hopefully, without spending a lot of money. My questions are:

1. Does anyone think the power amp is really the problem as opposed to the CD player?
2. CD player recommendations - should I just go with a DAC and keep the Adcom, or replace the entire thing? I was thinking of a Micromega Stage 2 or Rega Planet - as I said, I would prefer not to spend much money. I am shying away from the Planet since it is top-loading.

Thanks in advance,
Todd
t-peters96e2
viggen
838 posts
 
I used the Nakamichi PA-5A in a store before, and its sound improved greatly when using an Audioquest powercable. I owned the CA-7A preamp previously, and the Mapleshade powercord greatly improved it. In fact, the CA-7A runs very hot which is understandable for a class A component, however, it ran only luke warm with the Mapleshade powercord. Even with other after market cords on the CA-7A, it still ran hot.

My CA-7A without the Mapleshade sounded closed in and shrill compared to it with the cord. So, I think the Nak stuff is highly influenceable by what powercord you use with it and highly recommend you try a Mapleshade on the PA-7.
davio0ac0f
1 posts
 
Copland 822 latest cdp.
t-peters96e2 OP
2 posts
 
Of the two (Audioquest or Mapleshade) which would you recommend? I find it hard to believe a power cable can make any difference at all, but I'm willing to give it a shot...
listentothemusic
1 posts
 
I'd suggest borrowing a friend's cd player and installing it in your rig to see if you find better bass coming from it over your Adcom.

Power amps play a HUGE roll in bass performance. I had a Sonographe SA-150 which died while driving a pair of NHT 2.51's (excellent speakers with low bass output). I borrowed a SS Audio Research amp which sounded sterile, cold and loose in terms of bass. I then slapped in a Classe CA-100 and WHAMO! - better defined and controlled bass than even the Sonographe.

Borrow an amp or two from a local dealer over the weekend. I suspect that you will hear a great deal of difference from your 802's.
antlev
1 posts
 
I cannot say exactly what will work, but try a tube amp. I just replaced a trusty Krell KSA 250 with Cary's and the improvement is unbelievable. I have an old front end CD/DAC combo which sounds so much better now.
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