The best CD Player for the money

That Marantz SA-14S1 got an unequivocal recommendation from Roy Harris as being up there with the best he's heard and not hearing anything better regardless of format.

Even though my SA-15S2b is a generation removed and one rung down from this player, it's still mighty fine and goes to show that one needn't spend a fortune to get great sound, just a small fortune. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise

MrT, sorry for taking your findings out of context but this part:

"Its level of clarity and focus have been unsurpassed by any digital hardware that I have heard both from my own stereo system and at audio shows.

I cannot imagine any other CD player, or transport and DAC combination attaining any more music from a recording, without inducing imbalances in frequency response, especially excess treble energy. I think Marantz has pushed the envelope by creating a balance between high levels of resolution and a lack of audible coloration."

This quote led me to believe a recommendation of sorts was implied. Now that I'm familiar with your style and intent (which I approve of) I'll be more circumspect in drawing the usual conclusions. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise

Audiolabyrinth, I know of that 2 dimensional soundstage you speak of and it went away when I got my Marantz SA-15S2b. My soundstage is now the same height from extreme left to right (higher, in fact), extends further into my listening room, and has much better layering as you go back. It's not 'Star Trek' holographic but conveys a really nice soundstage, depending on recording.

As for body, that was the first thing that hit me when I first played the Marantz. There was more weight, gravitas and strength in the music, allowing more headroom for that soft pp to loud ff. As it got stronger, realism increased dramatically as playing became more natural. I don't know how else to say it.

As for the resonance tuning, could it be that the Marantz has a more solid build quality that what would tame negative resonance problems? I just tried a quick study with some heavy books on my Marantz and couldn't detect anything amiss no matter where I placed them. Could it be the Vincent isn't as robustly built as the Marantz and therefore benefits from the additional dampening?

All the best,
Nonoise

Ghosthouse,
I'm glad you like your TEAC. As you know, I went for the Marantz but in the end, it's all about what gets you down the path.

As revealing as these players are, with respect to the higher cost brands I think most of the added costs are in the casing and hardware (vault like transport mechanisms, isolation techniques, etc.). When one gets down to the end result (the actual sound) it all boils down to perspective and preference as one is only different and not necessarily better.

All the best,
Nonoise

Hi Ghosthouse,
The ICs I'm using are the Darwin Silver ICs (not the Ascensions). They really opened up the sound, so to speak, laying bare most everything. If it's coloration, shading or a tone control of sorts, these will not do. They are (in my system) very coherent.

All the best,
Nonoise