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Dedicated Red Book CD player vs. "Universal" type players....

I surmise this discussion has been debated a fair amount but here goes....I'm searching for the "final" cd player. Red Book playback is important to me as I have an extensive cd collection and am not into computer based sound (yet). So, I don't mind grabbing and popping those silver disks into a player. What are my fellow Audiogoner's thoughts on a dedicated cd player vs. the universal (see Oppo) type of player? Does a one-box solution sacrifice some cd playback performance trying to be a jack of all trades? If so, can you hear that difference? Input and comments most appreciated!
128x128beernut

Showing 2 responses by rodge827

rodge827's avatar
rodge827
616 posts
 
For a Red Book only CD player look into the Sparkler Audio S503 "spiral" -Smart CD Player. Sparkler Audio was formed when  Kazutoshi Tsukahara left 47 Laboratory and formed 47 Treasure, a short lived kit company that based its designs on 47 labs product and philosophy of less is more. He formed Sparkler to sell finished products designed with the same "less is more" philosophy.
The internal dac utilizes a NOS approach with a TDA1543 chip at its heart. Very natural and real sounding! If your looking for a "close to vinyl" approach to listening then the S503 is a great way to go.  
If your in the states, and near NJ, Charney Audio is a Sparkler Dealer and uses the S503 for his demos and shows.
http://sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S503_en.html
http://charneyaudio.com/sparkler.html

rodge827's avatar
rodge827
616 posts
 
Sparkler? Sure is a strange website...

Yes the site is a little different, but the products are first rate...
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