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Is Exemplar the answer?

I'm looking for the best red book source I can find at around $5000 or under. I came very close to buying an Esoteric DV50, but reconsidered after hearing about John Tucker's Exemplar Audio mod of the Denon 2900. Have you heard this player, and how would you compare it to the best red book sources you have heard. It's fine to have a player that will play every format known to man, and having a universal player is a nice bonus, but my cd collection is almost all red book, and I want to get the most from the titles I currently have.

Thanks
84audio

Showing 5 responses by pardales

pardales
652 posts
 
You should read the other Exemplar thread that by now is at a lower position in this forum. It has many respones about the Exemplar Denon. I have had mine for almost 2 months now and have about 250 hours on it. I am blown away by how good it is. It has steadily improved over the break-in period to the point where I can't imagine getting better sound than I heard last night listening to Bill Evan Sunday at the Village Vanguard SACD. I now spend all my time shopping for music.
pardales
652 posts
 
Streetdaddy: I cannot speak to all the different kinds of CR's and ways of making them, but I have put two burned discs into the Denon and they have played.
pardales
652 posts
 
TVAD: I waited 6 weeks for my 2900 player. That was fine with me. It was totally worth the wait and the only cassified section on Audiogon I have been visiting these days is the software (CD's, SACD's and DVD-A) section. Hang in there, and don't forget to allow the player some break-in time. Mine really opened up after about 250 hours.
pardales
652 posts
 
My experience with my Exemplar Denon, in my system, is very similar to the 6 moons review. SACD is outstanding. Redbook is nearly, if not, as good as SACD. and DVD-A is also outstanding.

My long hunt for digital I can live with is over. Good Luck,
pardales
652 posts
 
I found there to be a small but noticeable improvment overall with the display and video circuitry off. I use this mode for critical listening sessions.
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