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Comparing these CD players with my gear...

Hi folks, 

I'm always messing around with CD players. A longtime audio friend of mine says I have a CD fetish... well, he's probably right. In a medium that is slowly dying, I'm still spinning discs more than ever. I stream too, but there still something awesome about taking a CD or LP and placing it in/onto a machine to play the sweet music we all love. 

Anyway, in my latest jaunt for something new, I've put together my latest list of players that have caught my eye for one reason of another. My gear consists of a Creek 4330SE integrated amp and Vandersteen 2C speakers. Cables are DH Labs Q-10's and Air Matrix interconnects. 

So what are your thoughts/impressions/comments on the synergies of the following CD players and how they would sound with my gear. I'm most curious about the Naim, Cambridge Audio and Myryad. 

Naim CD3.5
Cambridge Audio 840c
Myryad MCD600
Cal Audio Labs Icon mkII Power Boss
Marantz CD6006 (or CD6005)
Rotel RCD-1072




jsbach1685

Showing 3 responses by hifiman5

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
You would do well to consider the Marantz SA8005. $1200 new. Great sounding, well-built stock player that can be upgraded by Dan Wright of Modwright Instruments Inc..  Their "Signature Truth" mod is amazing!
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@charles1dad   +1   You are right on it.  The power supply and analog output stage is where it's really at as regards quality digital sound reproduction.  Modwright Instruments Inc. places the emphasis of their modifications right there.  The only enhancements to the DAC side of the player is enhancing the power supply to the DAC.  The results speak for themselves.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@mgreen   In a world with loads of brick and mortar come listen to it establishments what you said would be THE way to go, however in my "neck of the woods" (literally) there are NO audio shops to listen to gear.  My last major purchase, Vandersteen Treo CTs involved a 6-7 hour round trip to make the purchase.  In that particular instance I was buying speakers from a manufacturer whose speakers I have owned for the last 30 years.  I knew pretty much what I was getting without first hearing them as available reviews and discussions with owners confirmed what my relationship with Vandersteen Audio had me believing.  Fortunately all is well as they have turned out exceeding my expectations.  I do envy those of you fortunate enough to have audio emporiums in close proximity.

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