I see you don’t mention Oppo, which is puzzling as their Universal Players are generally considered great values and are market leaders. At any rate I have the 105 which plays just about everything well. Oppo’s can be programmed to output DSD from SACD so if you get a DAC that can accept DSD in the future you can further enhance the quality of your SACDS
Please , Thank you.Help in choosing a CD or a CD/Universal player
I just purchased a Vincent CD S1.2, it sounds pretty good but with my Dynaudio Neo 2’s, they seem a little "bright?" on the high end, or maybe just me. I’m not sure if those two are a good match. So, I am looking at possibly moving to different player(again). I mostly listen to Redbook cds, but have a few HDCDs and SACDs, and even a few DVD-A disks. I have a smallish size listening area, carpeted and am think about getting some new stands for the speakers (IsoAccoustics) to see if that will help any.
Here are the ones I am looking at:
1. Linn Unidisk SC
2. Hegel CDP4A MkII
3. Or any Rega, I have been told and read that they are reliable nice sounding units.
4. Or? Please fill in your suggestion...
I know the first two units may be dated and the Linn has VG ratings and the Hegel, I can’t find too much on that one. The quality of sound vs. the costs might turn out to be a high value (If found under <$800)?
Any assistance in this would be appreciated. I am just looking for a reliable superior sounding unit, cannot afford new so...Thank you for your input and I gladly welcome suggestions.
Cheers,
LostnAmerica
Here are the ones I am looking at:
1. Linn Unidisk SC
2. Hegel CDP4A MkII
3. Or any Rega, I have been told and read that they are reliable nice sounding units.
4. Or? Please fill in your suggestion...
I know the first two units may be dated and the Linn has VG ratings and the Hegel, I can’t find too much on that one. The quality of sound vs. the costs might turn out to be a high value (If found under <$800)?
Any assistance in this would be appreciated. I am just looking for a reliable superior sounding unit, cannot afford new so...Thank you for your input and I gladly welcome suggestions.
Cheers,
LostnAmerica
68 responses Add your response
decidely a minority view, but i don't really like my oppo 103 for cds, although its certainly an impressive dvd player and streamer; for cds i preferred the pioneer elite 79avi it replaced. unless you need bluray, i would actually look at something like a used integra 10.5 or arcam dv139, which is optimized for music |
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I currently own a Linn Uni--in a third system. Nice player in its time--but be cautious--these are now pretty old and disc players can wear out. Oppos--I know the recent models of Oppos well. Owned the 105D stock and also Modwright 105 tubed with power supply. Currently own the Oppo 203 and the Oppo 205. I think the best value proposition currently for you to avoid "bright" and get a robust player with resale value is to wait for a Modwright 105 to come on the used market. Probably run you $1600 or so. It easily competes with $4-5K players IMO. I sold mine to go to a dedicated music server system. |
I received my OPPO 205 several weeks ago and it is the BOMB! I beg to differ about the OPPO being too bright. First time I have heard that comment. Are u running it through the analog outputs? Maybe thru the HDMI output may be a tad brighter. If you're looking for a universal AUDIOPHILE piece of equipment look no further! It sounds great. |
To astewart8944's point: http://modwright.com/modifications/oppo-bdp83-and-bdp83se-mod.php |
+1 @don_1. @don_1. I would actually like my Oppo UDP-205 to sound slightly brighter - because currently it does not. I had been using the Teac CD-1000 for the past couple of years and the Oppo now seems a bit too smooth compared to the Teac. The only thing that I feel about Oppo is that players from Esoteric, Marantz, Luxman, etc probably have more resolution than Oppo. |
Jahatl513, you are absolutely correct in what is going through (quality of music I presume). Most of my CDs are NM-M and more importantly, great to superb DR measured, I do t buy anything until I have checked against a DR database and then I will purchase it then. My go to disk is Genesis, “Selling England By the Pound” as the dynamics in this particular recording are VG. So, in a nutshell, yes to what’s is being run through...Thank you all for your most helpful responses. cheers |
Get Better Sound is a must-have! re CD player, Naim CDX, now downgraded into my bedside headphone system works without a glitch for 20+ years now, and sounds amazing! The price dropped down to next to nothing, and unlike my CDS3 which is now onto its third laser "upgrade", CDX still works fine. It is one "snappy" beast, but not bright. At the end of the day its all about your personal tastes, I had top Ayre, McIntosh, Linn in my rig but gravitated towards Flat-Earth spinners, right now own CDS3 and Wadia 781i Oppo? The name puts me off, as with Schiit, cannot help it! Sounds cheap, but since its my hobby who cares! |
I have a NAD C546BEE CD player and an Oppo BDP-95. I got the BDP-95 because I already had about 6 SACDs, 3DVD-As, and a few HDCDs. (previously had an Oppo DV-980H, infact I still use it in my small system.) I now have 22 SACDs, 7 DVD-As (ordered 2 more yesterday), 5 HDCDs, and 5 BRDs. I have the Oppo connected via balanced cables from the analog outputs. I only listen to stereo. The NAD is ever so slightly warmer than the Oppo. I never would have bought it if I'd had the DV-980H first. I tried to sell the NAD after I got the BDP-95, but no takers, so I still use it. The point is I wouldn't find the Oppo warm at all If I didn't do side by side comparisons. That being said, If I were starting out today and wasn't so fond of hard copy, I'd get the best red book player I could and get into hi-res downloads for the top end. Nonetheless, if I win the lottery I'm buying the best Esoteric SACD player available at that time. ;^) |
jafant: I have been listening to the Primare CD32, it is super. Everything I have read has become a reality in sound reproduction, amazing in every aspect with no siblance noted as before. Bass, even with the Dynaudio Xeo 2’s is incredibly smooth and engaging. I tested it with the Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath cd and amazing Sonics with this combo. I am having a hard time justifying he purchase though. But the music is so sweet, torn between $, and beautiful music from Redbook CDs...Anyway here it is. Not much of a review, but there are no complaints in any area of sound representation. Thanks for reading. cheers |
I appreciate the response, my gear is: Dynaudio’s Xeo 2’s, Arcam CDS27, just sold my modded Music Hall mmf cd25 today, it was pretty sweet, QED Reference 40 rca, and a pair of Atlas Equator MkIII rcs’s. Switching back and forth with the QED and Atlas determining which one to keep. Still looking for a toslink Cable for future use. Music tastes: just about everything with the exception of jazz. From early Black Sabbath to Uriah Heep, with some classical and my favorites are: opera singer, Maria Callas, Captain Beyond (first album), Wishbone Ash Argus, Chopin,and many others. Thank you again. And don’t forget to Enjoy the Music! cheers |
https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/video-player/universal/ or Electrocampianet, or Sony, or Rotel, or Marantz, etc there is a lot out there. rega is too "cold" for your ears, marantz leans slightly warm. I’m not impressed with Arcam. The Oppo 203 is only $599 on the low end and I would not recommend it. However, I WOULD recommend any of the Oppos with a Modwright mod, which are legendary. Go to the "Modifications" menu on the site:: http://www.modwright.com and Pick the Oppo models |
jafant, I have not sold it, yet. I am selling though as I just sold my modded Music Hall mmf cd-25 in which I am having 2nd thoughts. About the Primare, I have had it about 3 weeks now. if it goes, great. If not, that’s great too. I do love to buy, try/listen and then move a to various other equipment. My retirement hobby so to speak. Thanks for keeping posted. Cheers, Chester |
Yes tomcarr, I was curious also. Then I had a chance to listen. Sometimes reviews can be misleading (almost seems like a sales pitch), but the ones I red before purchasing seemed more than positive, then I listened. They were spot on, I am not an audiophile,as you can see from my posts, but I know when a piece of equipment has exceeded my expectations whereas pure pleasure is derived form the sonics. This is the best player I have ever owned, and the reputation for quality and lasting attributes from Primare are well worth the price of admission. Anyway, there you go. I have decided that I will be leaving Oregon by Mid-June (headed back to Alaska), and will probably move this player for travel $$$. thanks for reading! Cheers, Chester |
