Please help me figure out what I need to do this. My head spins with tech talk..

ah...thank you both...reubent & twoleftears..Yes..that 260D is the model I am considering..I see that newer models of my integrated amp and (others) now have a DAC as part of their spec but mine now is before this new age...I plan to strictly listen to my CD's..not computer stream..so it looks like if I stick with this Moon I will need to get the Transport/DAC combo..(or upgrade to a more current Plinius integrated)..correct? (now I am just thinking outloud and hoping you are listening...thank you!

Yes,originally I was looking at the 260Dt..the transport only..that was before I realized the whole world of audio had changed as far as CD players since my last purchase and that it was just a transport..and that I would need a DAC..so that would mean the 260D... which then put me into a whole other pricepoint...$3,000 which I am not sure I want to do..If I knew for sure it was my forever sound player I would eat P,B & J for sonic bliss, but I can't know that for sure until I live with it. My standards are high..I am coming off a CD player I adore(d)..a BAT vk-d5 which even after all this time and age I would still keep..a lush tube sound, but the transport needs replacing & the technician told me that it's possible that the factory that produced the transports was demolished by a tsunami.So I need that confirmation then act fast.I can't survive long without music.
I don't care much about HOW it works as well as how WELL(beautifully) it works.(I think that's a female thing)

Correcting my mis-type..it was the 260DT that I was originally referring to..the transport only...I definitely want to keep my Plinius integrated ..so I guess I need to get the 260 DT and a good compatible DAC of which I will definitely need suggestions for, Get the 260 D, (will my 9200 plinius have the correct  inputs???),or look for a CD player only which seems to be slim pickings. I do find these journeys to be fun and hopefully ultimately satisfying. Thanks for your help!

DJones..thanks for that tip...I would have to make sure that unit has had a transport replacement..it seems all the VK-d5's suffer from that ailment(this would be the 2nd for mine)..Audiogenr./.understood that you are a dealer..no matter..kindred spirit at any rate..2leftears:Years ago I auditioned a Bryston in my system..I didn't care for it at all...seemed harsh to my ears...
but yes...I really just want redbook Cd listening...I  have an emotional attachment to my extensive classical music cd collection..Just based on reviews it seemed these simaudio players might be something I would like..but now I see that this transport/Dac is the norm..and there seem to be few CD Players produced..I see Naim has a current CD player..
I'm in a quandry.I have no objection to buying used...all my gear has always been..but I also don't want to buy anything too old...
My main objective ,as Nekoaudio said, is the sound that I love from my BAT..Something different would be fun but I really love being in love..

Nekoaudio..yes...I know reviews can never substitute hands on...when I assembled my system I went through many hours /days/weeks listening..I enjoyed that high when i hit that slice of nirvana..Mahler: I am not counting out a SACD capable CDP...I have upwards of 800 classical CD's ..it's a couple of lifetimes of relistening that I plan to re-start...
2psyop: I get it, I really do..that I may be not taking advantage of new technology..There's  partially a practical reason: I work 6 days a week and to find the gear , (that's the fun part that I am up for), but what sounds like time consuming process of transferring my CD collection sounds like eating up precious listening time...  
audiothesis: that AMR could be a wow...
I need to make sure I same or better my nirvana...
 

I really do think tubes have to be somewhere in this chain for me..I remember when I first started out in search..I went through many solid state cdp’s that left either ho-hum or near agitation...then my Jolida JD100 had me thinking I was on the right path..then the BAT flew in and it was like puppy dog tail wags and rainbows...and a Beethoven symphony brought tears of joy..

audiothesis...

"Also, while I am a believer in streaming and do it 99% of the time, there still is a small performance difference between a streamer and a CD transport, where the transport just has more dynamics. I've had several people confirm this and I've experienced it myself"Are you saying that in actuality you think streaming  could be considered sonically less dynamic and therefore less musical?Is the whole advantage of going digital just relieving clutter?

I am actually glad I had a reason to engage in some conversation & advice about this that is such a passion for me..As a woman it's not that common to find comeraderie..It's been awhile that I have discovered what's going on "out there"..and the changes since I put together my system.. Thank you, everyone!
Although I am dizzied by too techy details, I do like to tinker..and I do enjoy a journey..and I especially enjoy finding a temporary "end.."Love of music is a singular activity in most ways yet sharing thoughts with kindred spirits is not that easy except in this kind of venue..
I plan on doing some serious reading about the sonic virtues of transport vs ripped/and or streaming. I will need to do some demo/listening to be convinced ...I do know that I could never totally give up my CD's..each one has it's own story and emotional memory.it's an attachment I can't imagine I would have with my computer based repertoire...(and that AMR CD-777 sure does look yummy)..Maybe I can tip-toe into the future and meanwhile still have the goosebumps I demand..

Well after the audio shop's technician located a transport for my B.A,T and installed..it still cut out so there was more than the transport gone bad..and Balanced audio confirmed because  this was a very early unit,any other parts would be  wild goose chase.R.I.P. my dear B.A.T.Meanwhile, this dealer gave me a loaner- A Primare CD22.  For nearly 12 years The B.A.T. was the sound I knew..tube/lush soft, no hard edges..maybe unnaturally rounded? but I preferred that over the edge I heard from some other CDP's I listened to way back then. The sound was ingrained into my brain and that makes for a challenge to not hear "different" as "wrong".So listening to this was not likely to consider it as my next purchase, it was mostly so I wouldn't be without music. I'm having a grand time testing out my reference Cd's...and to my surprise I have found a few things..A different sound for sure...I actually find it refreshingly clear on my solo piano & female vocals...very similar to the tube sound in tone but  kind of like menthol ...pleasing and realistic...The soundstage is a bit more narrow but for these types it is a minor thing..The litmus test will be tomorrow when I try my symphonic /orchestral pieces that I demand what I had before...deep & wide soundstage,   accurate placement of instruments and most importantlyrealistic reproduction of each instrument...a screechy violin in the mix and bye bye forever.As I said I wasn't thinking Primare, but this cd22 sounds pretty damn good so far..
Let's say orchestral sounds divine...and I can assume the newer generation, cd35, (with or without DAC), sounds even better..Here's my question...:Primare and all CDP's, if everything is so geared towards digital, do you think the stand alone CD part of the equation is as advanced ? Or is all the good stuff in the DAC?
I hope someone understands what I'm asking! :)

twoleftyears...Ah yes...I see....I guess I was not wondering if the improvement was huge from model to model as much as if the present new models are improved more for their symbionic relationship to their companion Dac or in their own right.
As much as I know a tube CDP would most likely be my sonic bliss (and that AMR is calling me) I am now fearing buying used of that age...
(the BAT feels like a death in my family)...I am pleasantly surprised with my listening experience of this loaner Primare cd22...The sonics are wonderful..I have thrown everything at it today... solo piano is clean and warm, acoustic guitar is lifelike, female vocals are rich. Orchestral:I was worried about the violins..I always worry about the violins....but yes! They sounded mighty fine...phew! and basically the small orchestral pieces all had a very inviting timbre..and sounded like the instruments they ae (the only exception was the 2 taps of a triangle at the end of Appalachian Spring..I used to get goosebumps from that..could 2 triangle taps be my dealbreaker?)Large orchestral was tonally very pleasing  ...slightly anaemic and slightly less grandiose than my BAT).  Twoleftears: Did you listen to the CD35?

I just shocked myself...I realized I had a hard time pulling myself away from this Primare CD22 loaner... that always a good sign...I did it...my dealer just ordered me a brand spanking new Primare CD35...I'm excited and nervous all at the same time..I suspect much like having a "first" date after being married for so many years then divorced ..I may just love it!





 

It is due in mid of next week...I have cleared my agenda best I could for my first serious session Sunday the 20th. The world better not be knocking on my door!I will give a full report.!

It's here...and a real beauty...titanium front and black casing and the most gorgeous minimalist matte silver feet...I can't wait until Sunday for my date with Primare CD35..

towleftears..thank you...
I had my dealer break the seal and run it for the day he had it..and now it is warming up ..signal on...

When my Balanced Audio Technology CDP was pronounced dead it was a time of mourning for me. It had signified my first serious venture into Audiophile Audio about 18 years ago. I had been lured into the land of Apogee speakers and wound up restoring a pair of Apogee Stages ( a tweeter replacement was my idea of fun!) I may have to sit Shiva when these break down.
I was thrilled, as a female, to find kindred spirits who shared my passion of music and some hands-on. Of course It’s not that there are fewer women who share the love of music, but I do think fewer share the joy of gear.
Once I bonded (literally) with the Apogee sound I realized my next step was to upgrade my midling amps & source. I decided Integrated was the way for me to go and auditioned several and then there was the Plinius which is like minimalist modern art and I started with the 8150,8200 and now the 9200. I had that hefty strong sound I love. Then CD players… I started with an Arcam touted as a good entry level. My mentor (a highly knowledgeable woman audiophile) said to me that I really needed tubes somewhere in my system. I happily lived with a Jolida JD100 for almost 2 years and engaged in the sport of tube rolling. As good as the Jolida was I knew it was lacking in overall depth, width and overall quality. Enter the B.A.T.. It was love at first hear.
So when it was declared not repairable,Good memories and musically induced emotions flooded back. I need to create new ones now.
So in a way there was an exorcism for this quest. I needed to realize nothing is indefinite & there may be more than 1 path to nirvana.
That voice in my head that whispered “tubes” now had me concerened. Most tube players I fancied were also aged and I didn’t want to have to be in the same predicament in the near future.
Lots of reading…lots of forum threads later I wound up with a loaner of a Primare CD22 from my dealer. I had not thought it would wind up with this course of events. As I stated in a previous post it sounded unassumingly good…2 generations earlier than the CD35 I just purchased. My logical mind had to assume (and hope) the generations were kind to the assets and enhamced them!
With much intrepidation I ordered it and here it sat for 3 days of continual low level break in so that Sunday morning for my serious listen there would be few excuses. (My initial quick turn on hinted at some brashness).
As I’m sure everyone does , I have my reference CD’s. Some not necessarily my go-to listens but great litmus test. I always start out with some solo piano..Windham hill has some dandies…some Clara Ponty..
The piano must have realness…no clunkety-clunk..no tinnyness…yes,,,it sounds glorious …clear yet rich and round…I’m encouraged…
Next I played some female vocals…Who doesn’t have Eva Cassidy as a must-have? Tears? oh- yes…and throw in a sprinkling of Baez…mmmm…
Next is violins…the deal-breaker…if one note dares make me wince it’s a goner…I put on Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg/Minnesota orchestra/Brahms concerto in D..(A side note..I saw her in concert and any classical lovers, she is a must experience..). The CD35 sang the most beautiful rich textured violin tone…nothing shrieking and all with the bow’s varying weight…I was relieved and nearing my judgement..
One test left…full orchestra of many sorts… Appalachian Spring/Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia orchestra). is my go-to for “light” orchestra. It has subtle nuances that I am so familiar with after hundreds of listens..and it is here that perhaps I can fully evaluate and appreciate the qualities and differences between this unit and the tube sound I have ingrained in my brain on strings en masse..
the quiet moments are gorgeous..with puctuations more cleary defined than with the B.A.T…every instrument is clearly heard in it’s place on it’s stage..and as I mentioned before , the 2 triangle taps at the end of this piece..a Copeland masterpiece of less is more..the cd35 let them sparkle as they should..
Next up is Pictures at an Exhibition..the horns at forefront..once again, clarity is not creating any kind of shrillness..each horn is creating it’s own place,,the french horn is the mellow fellow…The musicality is effortless…I expected stiffness,,,a preconceived thought, but the flow is quite stunning…
the final movement is regal and playful and ever so musical..
And finally full blown massive orchestra…I wanted to hear soundstage and any confusion..I am always willing to adjust my speaker toe-in …even 1/8” makes for a hit or miss…sometimes I need to sacrifice wide for better imaging..
And finally Tchaikovsky Piano concerto #2…a good blend of piano and massive symphony…
The piano was center stage and tonally on point…full orchestra sounded clean and bold, and, well..massive! It is here that I can compare the tube sound of the BAT to the cd35 sound..the BAT was like a beautiful watercolor painting…expertly expressed with slightly soft yet not blurred edges..
the Primare is more crystalline like an acrylic painting..slightly more opaque yet equally beautiful.
I know every piece of equipment is part of a symbionic relationship..I am sure the player is enhanced by my sweet sounding speakers and warm Plinius amp. The mesh with my system seems just right and is already creating some goosebump inducing moments.
And that’s my goal.
I am giving this a wholehearted swoon.

It’s been 2 weeks now that my Primare CD35 has been occupying the top shelf of my audio rack. The newest “family” member.
It’s an understated beauty of minimalism. The remote is an unremarkable but well defined low profile black metal accessory. It looks dwarfed on my coffee table next to the Plinius remote, which, if it was hollow, could house a homeless family.
The Cd35 has been calling to me.
I was able to enjoy another long very alone time day today to dive right back in again.I was hoping
the initial excitement wouldn’t wear off and I that I wouldn’t start nit-picking and analyzing. I was prepared to. After all,I really needed to know that beyond the $$$ , that this was going to make me happy long term. I can not tolerate mediocrity.
I revisited a few of the Cd’s I played last week and I was happy to hear just what I remembered..
and so, with my new arsenal lined up to play, I sat in that sweet spot on my couch, and immersed myself into Dvorak’s New World, the beautiful , strong, crystalline smoothness.. and 50 minutes later I realized I had not thought once about the player..
it was the music…it was all about the music.
I'm in love & the adoption is official.

Kineticaudio...Is the store you purchased it from no help? Demo or not I would think it should not be behaving that way! I don't think a factory reset would hurt , I am no technician, but it seems there is something else going on. I hope you can get it up and running..it is a great player..I have retrained my ears to a non-tube sound and have really been appreciating the clarity that may have bit a bit too softened..This player has a sweetness that is not artificial. I hope you can get there.