ABBY's vote on the METRONOME CD1V @ 3K has my full confident vote...my second vote is the AUDIO AERO PRIMA...i have no third vote
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Audio Research CD-1. I've waited 10 years to find a CD player this "right" for my otherwise overly revealing system. Old, familiar and favorite recordings, including VERY difficult and harsh digital recordings from the early 1980s, suddenly resolve into music, making the hair stand up on the back of my arms and bringing tears to my eyes. I hear inner harmonies for the first time, rejoice in hearing small "mistakes" by one player in the French horn section on a lushly textured Copland fanfare, can finally play my favorite Rachmaninov cello sonata recording at full volume without the harshness of the piano driving me out of the room. Differences in micing techniques are suddenly obvious and even enjoyable, and well produced recordings put the singer or soloist in the room, between the speakers. I didn't think this level of quality was possible for less than $10K to $15K from ordinary 16-bit CDs. And while I'm at it, let me tell you what a delight it was to deal with Glen Cabana as the seller, a man whose integrity and friendly professionalism sets the standard for perfect service and support. He gave me a great price, gave me impeccable advice, and kept me posted hourly as needed. Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and worried about having sent a large sum of money to someone you've never met, hoping you'll get the equipment you expect? I have. Well, Glen is one of those rare men of such obvious integrity and reliability that you realize your money is safer with him than it is in your own bank. Buying this CD player from Glen was the most comfortable and safe-feeling transaction I've ever had. Man, I cannot say enough good things about this gentleman. I doubt he'll ever read this, but if he does: "THANK YOU, GLEN!" |
I haven't ween Jolida, so here it is. I suffered through the misfiring 600's, stuck it out, and got one of their new JD 100's. Transport problems have vanished and the playback is still grainless and musical but has picked up more detail along the way with its 24/96 dac. Previously I owned an Onkyo, was happy to change to a Sony ES, and then much relieved to switch with Jolida. No contest each time. |
I am happy with a used Cambridge Audio D500 which I picked up used in an e-Bay auction. It's the older model, not the newer SE version, so I got it for a good deal less than the price of a new one. Used with MAS Grey interconnect cables and a Belden Pro power cord, it sounds clearer, more detailed, more musical and more natural than the JVC player I was using previously. Those willing to spend a good deal more money can probably get an even better CD player, but given what I paid, and the major improvement it made in my system, it's definitely a great value for the money. |
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No, I haven't compared it to the Ahtjoeb. I listened to it instore compared to AMC and Jolida tubed units and it was clearly an improvement over these. In home it sounded comparable to an Audio Alchemy (top of the line) transport and a $1500 Dac by the kit division of Sonic Frontier (I can't seem to remember names today, and by the way they're going out of business). Deete's soundroom mods the players for about $300-400. I'm saying that on the comparison that the MH is about $650 new, unmodded and about $1000 modded. I could be off a little on the price. I looked at this unit about 3 months ago, so I'm vague. |
A Cayin CD-15A from China. They make Audio Electronic supply amps there too according to EnjoyTheMusic.com. Some features: 1. HDCD 2. upsampling to 24/96 3. choice of discrete SS output or tubed-output Great build and looks very cool. I've asked several Cayin amp users and they say it's reliable. $510 only plus freight Jayel |
I am still looking. I've listned to and prefer in ascending order, the Music Hall 25, the Linn Genki and Marantz SA-14. Each player sounded twice as good as the previous one. I am still waiting to hear a Jolida JD 100. Does anyone know what that sounds like compared to any of the ones mentioned in the above paraggraph? I have never even heard a tube CD player but I am anxious to try it. I own a Jolida SJ 302 tube amp and Linn Ninka Speakers and hope they will all work well together. Please share your comments regarding the Jolida vs. Marantz SA-14. |
Kanna, I too live in Sac and have visited Deetes several times. Do you remember what Jolidas you wee comparing the Musichall with? According to Bill Baker of responseaudio the JD100 and Musichall 25 are basically the same unit except the Jolida has a tubed output stage. The Jolida sells for $900. I would be very surprised if a modified Musichall sounds as good as a JD100. Not saying it doesn't - I haven't heard one. |
I've been listening to my brand new AH! Njoe Tjoebs 4000 through brand new speakers for two days. Had to go straight into the amp because my preamp took a dump on Sunday. I've been using the AH!'s volume control to regulate the volume. Which means nothings broke in except my amp. Bottom line... I doubt there is a better sounding CD player for the money. And quite a few that go for a lot more money. Can't wait for everything to get broken in... |
Granite 657 tube output CDP's are fast achieving "cult" status among those audiophiles who wish to listen to the music and not fall victim to the media hubbub.The music this aesthetically beautiful stealh component produces is equivalent or better than SACD's.The SACD hoopla is just another attempt by the marketing fat cats who are not even interested in the music to clean out our wallets year after year.These marketing types are sellng us the menu rather that what you order to eat.They are selling us the PROCESS not the end RESULT which is always the music. Demo a Granite 657 sans preamplifier because it sounds better without it(less is more).You will hear the difference and realize that you don't have to fall victim to the constant "new and improved" pitch of the music player industry. You also do not have to fall prey to the marketing hyperbole so prevalent in the high end market. Sometimes the constant promotion of new, more expensive better sounding equipment reminds me of the story of the "Emperor's New Clothes." |
Dan Wright fully moded Sony stuff though hre sings the praises of the new $1K Phillps that was $2k up until recently.He thought it sounded gr4eat out of the box and give him a budget of say $500-1500 and he'd max it out like the Sony's (he still thinks his fully loaded 777ES is best sound availible including tyhe mega $$ Accuphase but then again he's partial.Still he has folks that agree aNd buy his stuff.He also told me that it may not be last word in Rez but the Ah!Tjube is very pleasant to listen to.It is abargain at $600 and now they have a $300 user installable 24/96 module.Then get some NOS and have fun swapping glass.To some tubes may not make sense in a digital product but if you would put them farther down the chaain for the glow why not right up front? |
There is no right answer to your question. It seems that everyone has a different opinion regarding what is the best. If you compare the audio magazines, you will also see that they have their favorites. My recommendation is you pick some of the above CD players that are in your price range and go listen (both in the store and then in your home). I own the Meridian 508.20 (recently upgraded to 24 bit) and like it very much. Another good choice is the Arcam 23T CD player. Enjoy and go listen. cheers... |
All i have to say is: Get a semi-cheap cd player that can be used as a transport and get an MSB link DACIII with half nelson upgrade and let me tell you - that setup will FAAAR outperform the likes of the Rega Planet 2000 etc. I was just visiting a bunch of stores over the past couple of weeks to find a replacement for my RCD 971 (Rotel), but for slightly less than a new REGA Planet, I can get the MSB with the Nelson upgrade. I compared the Planet with a cheapo combi-player (and i mean REALLY cheap) and it completely KILLED the Planet 2000. If you're looking to bring your source to the next level, I strongly suggest you take a look at this approach. It is certainly, without a doubt in my mind, the route I will be taking in the very near future. |
I would tend to agree with our colleague FastPArrot - I just purchased a used Accuphase DP-75 and I was unprepared for just how good that unit sounded. Got the DP-75 a couple of days ago. I gave it a few hours to warm up to room temperature before I played it it was ice cold as it came off the Fedex truck. My initial impressions are those of tremendous detail and harmonic bloom and gorgeous liquidity. Pianos sound like pianos. Soundstage is huge and open and the characteristics of each recording venue are readily distinguishable. My wife - a music lover, but not an audiophile per se - was stunned at the musical presentation. She remarked that 'now the music just goes right through you.' This is a truly wonderful unit, and I can only marvel that it is a ten year old design. A superb bargain at its currrent used value of approx $2500 to $3000. I'll review it in depth after I've had time to live with it. |
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1043544749&openusid&zzTok20000&4&5#Tok20000 This is a link that will show you pictures of my Ayre CX-7 and the rest of my system. The Ayre CX-7 even at full $3k retail is an amazing player. Enjoy! KF |
My theory for buying a used piece of gear is that someone else is taking the largest part of diminishing returns. For example, a Rega Planet, if someone who bought it new for $800 sells it a couple years later, they'll get $400. If I buy it at $400 and sell it a couple years later, I can probably still get $250 or $300. So, it seems to me that a NEW CD player has more diminishing returns than a USED one. This leads me to believe that the best CD player for the money will definitely be a USED player. |
