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Recommend analog sounding CDP with volume control.

I have been doing alot of research on this. Price range is $2500-$3500 for a used unit. This price range seems to provide alot of options, but based upon comments and reviews my main contenders are the Audio Aero Capitole Mk2 and the EAR Acute. You can view my system in virtual systems, but it is basically a Cary CD 303/200 with volume control fed directly into a Spectron Musician II amplifier and Totem Forest Speakers.

There is only one issue I am trying to fix, as I think the system is pretty amazing as it stands. The only problem is with vocal music (I listen mostly to rock, trip hop and vocal jazz). Many recordings get pretty sizzly with sibilance. I find that I would like to listen louder, but the aggressive sibilance causes me to reach for the "volume down" button. (And BTW, I don't listen very loud, usually sound pressure at the listening position is in the low to mid 80's dB).

I believe the amp and speakers are capable of faithful reproduction of whatever is fed to them, and I am starting to believe the sibilance comes from the CD player. The Cary has an oversampling button, which definitely changes the sound pretty dramatically. With oversampling "on" the sibilance recedes slightly, but overall it sounds like the engineer used excessive compression, i.e, instruments do not decay as naturally, and they do not have nearly the air around them. Bottom line - using the oversampling feature is an unacceptable (and incomplete) solution.

Because this change in CDP processing has such a dramatic impact on the sound, I am starting to believe that the digital source is the key to audio nirvana. I am therefore gravitating toward a higher end, more modern CDP with the latest processing technology. I am specifically inclined to try something with a tube stage.

I would appreciate any comments about the AA and the EAR, but also would love to hear other options that you know and love.
jswarncke

Showing 1 response by kurt_tank

kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
I can recommend both the Audio Aero Capitole II, which you already mentioned, and the Resolution Audio Opus 21, (which I own, btw.) Both are analog sounding cd players, IMHO. My friend owned the AA Capitole II, and he was going to sell it, as he had just upgraded. I thought about buying it from him, so I have compared the two, in my system, and believe that the AA Capitole II is very slightly better than the Opus 21.

(However, to be honest, it was not worth it to me to upgrade for two reasons:

First, I am heavily into analog, and while the Captitole II is slightly better than the Opus 21, it was not that much better. Nor was it worth (to me) diverting the $1,000 difference between the two, to put into my digital front end, when I felt it was better put into my continued upgrading of my analog system. (I feel that there is much more of an upgrade between my new Dynavector XV-1S cartridge, (that I bought from the same friend, btw!), and my old Shelter 90X cartridge, than there was between the Capitole II and the Opus 21.) So basically, it came down to the "most bang for a buck" way to spend my money.

Second, and this is more of a personal preference, I determined that I don't much like top loading cd players with pucks, (like the capitole II), and prefer front loading players (like the Opus 21).

So, my recommendation is if you use your cdp as your primary source, and/or if having the very best digital source is of paramount interest to you, than get the AA Captitole II. (Assuming you like the top loading (with a puck) system that it uses.)
If on the otherhand, you are on a tight budget and wish to save a bit of cash, get the Opus 21 and live with the fact that is just barely not as good as the Capitole II.

My two cents worth anyway.

Good Luck in your search!
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