"Best" of the "Universal" players ???.


For CD sound primarily.

I want "super" CD sound; but would much prefer the machine be universal.(I don't want to sacrifice much at all in CD sound to the very best CD only players. However I realize my isolation & conditioning technigues will enable my sound to surpass that of the finest CD player(Spectral?) in some other less refined system)
I tend to feel the Esoteric machines are likely 'best' and the "safest" bet for long term reliability or factory support with parts/upgradability.
Are there any other "universal" machines I should consider?
psacanli

Showing 1 response by fplanner2000

I will second the APL Denon 3910. Plays all formats very, very well. The best bargain in high-end audio, IMHO, if you can find one used (they are not being made anymore).

I am also breaking in an Esoteric UX-1 (out of my system) that has just returned from the factory after having a double upgrade: "104 modifications" to the audio portion as well as the full video upgrade to 1080p including hdmi out. They have basically turned it into a UX-1P1 with the better UX-1 transport and supposedly amazing video. It should also play all formats very, very well (and better than the 3910, hopefully). In my system, the APL 3910 was more musical than the stock UX-1, hence the upgrades (plus the purchase of a used Esoteric G-0s rubidium clock)