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difficulty finding CD player match for Magneplanar

I have a California Audio Labs Mk II CD player (CAL) that has one channel going out. I might be able to get it repaired (if I'm lucky), but I wanted to listen to the latest CD players to see if I could find a replacement.

I home-trialed an Arcam FMJ-something at around $1000 U.S. Too bright, not enough bass, not enough "power" to drive rock and jazz/fusion.

I home-trialed the much-vaunted Rega Saturn. Not enough "power" or bass for rock/jazz fusion, upper midrange and highs OK, but lower midrange sounds like being in nosebleed section of concert hall (very distant and hard to understand).

I've got Magneplanar MG-IIIa speakers, original Adcom preamp and 60w/ch. amp.

It seems to quite troublesome to find a CD player for the Maggie's in my listening room that isn't too bright or too distant and has enough power/drive/authority and solid bass to really drive electronic music.

Neither player was really involving. They seemed to present information off the disk, but just didn't grab my interest. Pretty boring. Good detail, good this, interesting that, but in the end, not enjoyable.

Others have raved about Arcam players and about the Rega Saturn, but they haven't worked for me in my system.

Anyone had similar experiences with the Maggies and found any players that worked better with the Maggies?
timoteo

Showing 2 responses by shakeydeal

shakeydeal
979 posts
 
You might think that your 120 watts is driving those maggies, but trust me, no it's not.

I had 3.5rs a few years ago and was driving them with McCormack DNA-1 deluxe monoblocks. The maggies took all that power and didn't bat an eye. I tried driving them with my old Music Reference RM9, which has a "true" solid 100 watts of tube power. Pleasant for background music, but that's about it.

Power should be your first issue, THEN a seedee player. Actually a good turntable should come before the digital spinner.

Shakey
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
As I said above, you THINK you have enough power. I guarantee that unless all you listen to is "little girl + guitar" music, you are missing out on dynamic transients big time. And your bass articluation and impact would be better with more power too.

And not to mention how Adcom amps provide only entry level sound. Ok, but you can certainly do better for not much more $$.

Shakey
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