the audiologic model 24 is one of the best DAC's on the planet you can get them used for under 2k . all you need to do then is use any cd player as a transport and you will have world call cd sound.
ps the new audiologic up dated 24 lists new for only 4k.and i am sure you can get them for less. |
I own a Modified Jolida JD-100, and an Audio Analogue Paganini, each one used right around $1000 each, highly recommend either one, however especially the Jolida, I don't think it can be beat for the price, even by considerably higher priced models. |
This was an interesting discussion forum for the moment. I had to replace my CD player a year and a half ago because it was ailing and my dealer took great care of me and made it possible for me to purchase another CD player to which they recommended the Linn Genki. When I picked up the player, I almost threw it through the roof because it does not have all that Heavy Duty stuff that many of the other "High-End" players have these days. They create their great sound and performance with "High-technology" (and Nano-Technologies but they don't like to talk about that in public). It was an easy winner. Now the variable outputs on it are totally worthless unless you are going to direct them to some self powered patio speakers or something and you want an easy way to do it. But all of those issues are being done away with due to all the multi-room enhancements on the AV-receivers as of late.
But as for Hi-fi, the variables are out. The sound on the fixed outputs and the rest of the player is fantastic.
I am now selling my Genki because I have moved to SACD and I needed another player that was good on all Red Book and SACD discs so I purchased the Music Hall Maverick and I am going to sell the Linn Genki starting this week. I was just searching the possibilities when I noticed this forum entry. You can look for it under the user MCNE if you are in the market. I just hope that the Maverick is up to the task to replace the Genki. |
The best CD player that I've heard is the Modified Denon from Exemplar Audio. It retails for $3500. |
Rotel RCD-1070 CD/HDCD player with a modded Audio Alchemy DTI pro32/DDE V3.0 can compete with CD players costing thousands more. |
The AA digital gear is no longer competitive. Even at their current used price points. |
I can't believe timeless as this question is that this thread goes back to 12-28-00.Amazing.At some point there will be some technology that replaces CD and digital the way LP and analogue got replaced.Of course those in the know know they were never replaced and that's why we spend $300 for those Hank Mobley Lp's.
Chazzbo |
I am using an Arcam FMJ-23T and I think you would have to spend over 4,000 to beat it. Sometimes used they are around 1100.00. I love it, has awesome reviews in stereophile and TAS. |
Well, Best CD Player for the money. If i had the cabbage I'd go for the Tri Vista SACD but 6.5K runs it steep. Gamut CD1, I'm listening to now is nice but still 4K less step but still...Audio Note CD2.1x tube nice sound runs at1.5K and the winner is Musical Fidelity A3.2cr at 1595.00. |
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PHILIPS CD 723
MARANTZ CD 4000
MARANTZ CD - 48
MARANTZ CD 5400
NAD 522 NAD C 520
PIONEER DV 565 A
NAD 524
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO D 500 SE
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO Azur 640 C
ROTEL RCD 951 |
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The Pass Labs DAC 1 is very fine. The Linn players, even the cheaper ones, have tremendous bounce, pace and rhythm. Friends tell me the EMC-1-etc. is very fine. I recently bought the MUSE Model 10 after much searching. It is simply stunning and the best I have ever heard.
JT |
There are so many "best for the money" listed - it seems that a lot of players sound real good. On the topic, you might want to check out Richard Hardesty's Journal on some of the top players today. |
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I own and love the Rotel 1070. |
AH! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 with the upsampler and ediswan tubes is a real performer. The upsampler was worth the money. |
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Jeez, this post is worn out, does anyone really believe people utilize this info to make a decision on a player? Maybe they did 4 years ago, yes 4 years ago when it started, but certainly not now! |
No doubt in my mind. The Musical Fidelity X-Ray is a great machine at a really good price. Looks and sounds very satisfying indeed.
Try pairing it with the X-10v3 tube buffer and X-PSU (power supply) and I think you'll be even more delighted.
I have all three and I am exceptionally pleased. |
The next player I purchase is the best for my money. |
Sammie,
Maybe he is still choosing!! ;) |
$10000 can buy a hell of a unit but it would have to been supported by more "hell of a unit"-units in order for it to be worth it, right?(dac/amps/speakers/cables, etc.)
And what sounds good to you , where you play it, etc., is what counts. So go to your sources for cd players and a good store will let you borrow the unit for home field listening and even direct comparisons with other players or even maybe some of your buddies' players. l assume you've got the rest of your system but no cd player.
l went through tons of players and all were tested at home but l wasn't prepared to pay $3000 and plus for a transport and seperate dac set-up, nor was l going to go by store listening. l ended up with a Denon DCD 1560 that compared better than alot of "high end" names and even Denon's top end unit---the 1560 worked well with what l had.(Tannoy/Onkyo/Teac,Preose,etc.)
Good luck, Lilfish |
Everyone has his opinion on this subject, and what is affordable to one is not to another. I'd like to recommend the very affordable Denon "Audiophile Series" DCD-1650AR, original MSRP $1,000-$1,200, but good used ones are available for half of that. They have "Alpha Processing with Real 20-Bit 4-DAC Advanced Super Linear Converter," 8-Times Oversampling Digital Filter. I have two (one modified, one stock) and have been using one or the other for the past two years. Each one gives date of manufacture on back (both mine are 1999). They sound great, are built like battleships, with serious power supplies (weight 26 lbs. 4 oz.), and work flawlessly. I've owned a number of CD players over the past 20 years, and I think you will have to spend a lot more to beat the sound of one of these. |
I am very pleased with my Electrocompaniet EMC 1.
The finish, the feel, the sound are excellent.
Has a professional quality to it.(except the crappy remote) |
The Modwright Sony9000esDVP. |
This CD Player has literally blown me away. It is soooo analogue sounding (read sounds like music) True at $3995 it's not cheap, but it has stomped everything I've heard under $5000. It was such an improvement over my Audiomeca Keops, that even my wife commented on how much better it sounds to her (this is always a good thing) Besides it's also beautiful to look at and has huge WAF, to boot! |
Tcscata,
You didn't say which CD player you have. |
Absolutely bit perfect CD rips. Plus it burns DVDs. And less than $100. What more can you ask for? :) |
NAD 502. The best bang for the buck. beats the Rega planet/2000, Proceed cdp. Replaced my Wadia transport/theta dac setup. In the end the players/transports are going to crap out, since they are composed of moving parts. So I went with the 502. When it dies I'll buy another one. Used, they can be had for about 100 |
CHECK THIS OUT !!!! If you buy just a reular redbook cd player you are crazy....You put alot of hard earned money in to your system to get the BEST sound , Right? OK...guess what..SACD and DVD-A cd's WILL make your system sound BETTER.....This will be pleasing to you and you'll be happier....Right?.....I just purchased the new MARANTZ DVD-9500 and on REDBOOK cd's it's the Sweetest, most analog sounding player I have ever heard AT ANY PRICE....Plus you otta' hear THE STONES on SACD.....American Theater@ $ 1595....You get it ALL...Every should consider this option......Redbook cd only players are outdated.......You can't miss with this player...IT'S FANTASTIC...NO DIGITAL HARSHNESS...unlistenable discs are not only "listenable ...But a total enjoyment...have you ever heard GOOD VINYL on a top quality system.....this player will give you that same analog sound on Redbook cd... |
For the money????? How much? I see a whole bunch of suggestions ranging from the couple 'O hundred range to the $5000+ . In my view you really can't beat a Music Hall CD-25 for a couple of hundred used and about $549- from Music direct on sale. Very good detail and presence competes handily with more expensive units diminished returns vs. the better units, but they are better. I have a slight conflict of interest here because I am probably going to sell mine at some point. Simply because, I have too many of the "ordinary means" types. I have an Audio Aero Prima wich I rolled the E88CC variant type tube output- the stock 6922 tube, Sovtek, doesn't do the piece any favors. The entry level AA is relatively expensive new however. Another one I have- is one my wife loves, but I niether like or mind the Jolida JD 100. If I could afford it, I would go with the AA Capitole but I don't think we are talking "for the money" with either of the AAs. In the $2-2.5K category you have to consider the Granite 657 its as good as $5000+ machines I hear the new everyday universal players are kicking some of our favorite "audiophile" brands around in shootouts nowadays. I may get one myself. For the TV of course! |
Jazze 22,
I have the Sony DVP 9000ES and use as a back up.
My main system is:
Proceed PMDT Transport (Works Flawlessly)
Proceed AVP2 +6 Pre/Pro
Bryston 4BSST
Nautalis 802's
Transparent PowerBank XL
Transparent Reference Balanced MM interconnects
Transparent Ultra MM Speaker Cable
I read some of the posts and decided to due a comparison of the PMDT and Sony using Jeff Lorber - "The Definitive Collection"...I also listen to Jazz. The comparison was short lived. As one said, the Sony is lean and sterile...very little low end detail. The PMDT was transparent with great extension both ways. High quality components are worth the extra investment, although I to search for the nirvana that keeps me coming back for more. Like sand through your fingers.
Good Searching. |
Try the Trl Sony 2000es. Very Musical and a great price!! |
McIntosh MCD 205, the best you can do without buying the DAC and the transport seperately. Will make a CD sound as good as a record. Also holds 5 CDs. |
I've got to agree with Alpha3, the TRL/Sony C2000ES is very good. VERY good. And less than $900 delivered!
I've heard their Marantz SA-14 mod and it is much better, but more money, too.
You won't be disappointed with the TRL C2000ES. I'm very happy with mine. |
Hey Sammie;---I'm looking with proper intent,as well. 4/30/05 |
Try the Resolution Audio Opus 21 - very nice. If cash is not an issue, then strongly recommend the Reimyo CDP-777 |
A preowned Marantz SA-1 SACD/CD player. I own two SA-1's and ditched every transport/dac combo unit in excess of $50K. And the Marantz SA-1 just an incredible player and will be sought after many years to come.
It's best of the best A+ sound & build quality. Retail was $7500 but now you can find them for a steal preowned under $4K. Which is a steal.
And this is a person who owns over 25,000 CDs & 1800 SACDs and every single MFSL Gold, DCC Gold and Sony Gold out of print CDs. |
I have recently had the pleasure of Kyle Takenaga at Reference Audio
Mods. I purchased a Marantz cd 17 MKII which a few years ago marantz was selling for 1200+. I picked it up for $350 (good price). Talked w/Kyle
and since the transport was the same as the Sony SCD-1 he reworked it
and I have a sound which compares or bests my records on a oracle
turntable and without any of the cracking poping and warping. Worth every penny and more. |
Nanu, Nanu! I am Stockhausen from the star Sirius. Here, music is transmitted telepathically. I am here to share with the GREATEST AUDIOPHILE DIGITAL ADVANCE from the year 2525! No longer will you need expensive interconnects, power cables or amps or speakers. With this new technology you merely stare at the read side of the CD and your pineal gland will transmit a wave that will read the CD data directly into you head in pure analog sound. Please paypal $1,000,000 to rusirius@lovecraft.glxy and for the first time digital can sound as good as analog. For an extra $100,000 we can attach Bybee filters to your frontal lobes to block out unwanted radiation waves from solar flares.
BUY NOW!!!!! |
i too am looking for a new cd player and for the bang i am looking at the chinese players/ the xindak muse 1.0 or the consonance cd 120 any opinions would be greatly appreciated.thanks |
I just purchased a Modwright 3910. It didn't come cheap at around $3400 but this player is worth every penny and I don't see myself looking beyond. It replaced a Cary 306/200. The improvement was not subtle. |
The Onix XCD 88 is identical to the Music Hall CD 25 internally. Face plate is different from Music Hall. Other than that same unit and at far less cost than the Music Hall by about half the cost. This is one superior player for the money and can readily be upgraded for additional performance. However in its stock form, it is very difficult to fault this player and in my opinion, doesn't get much better till one passes the $1,000.00 mark. Also has the HDCD chip in it,very nice touch there. Have been most impressed with mine in its stock form and see little need to move further up at this time. Superb sonics, way above average build quality and at $299.95 new with 3 year warranty it is truly a no brainer to choose the Onix XCD 88 CD Player. This replaced my Arcam CD 73,Denon 1560, and eventually my Classe CDP.5. I am impressed beyond my most jaded expectations. Spend more if you like, but for a redbook player this is one of audios great present day bargains. |
Wadia 830-less expensive than its siblings, great open sound, everything clear, good bass. |
Take a look at the Wadia 830, Theta Miles, Naim 3.5 with flatcap -- all great from the late 90's, all can be had with the exception of the wadia for less than 1k, used. |
I love my Meridian G08 for the money. It really depends on how much you can spend. If your budget is 4k I recommend the Meridian. Ultimately, you should go listen for yourself and see if you like it compared to other players.
Another consideration is HDCD. For me it wasn't an issue since I bought a Denon DVD-5910 to do my SACD, DVD-A, HDAD, and HDCD decoding. So I bought a machine from a company that put that much more effort into producing a CD player that is dedicated to one thing only, normal CDs... |
Oh, if you are good with bartering you should be able to get at least a 12% discount as well. I didn't pay 4k which is the MSRP, I got it at 12% less. |
Musical Fidelity A5 CDP has been voted the 2005 award winner by HiFi Audio. I would also have to agree it has stellar sound for the money. |
I'll just chime in and add my recommendation for the Rega Planet 2000 for the sub-$1000 category. Fantastic player that performs well above its price point. The Jupiter is even better (though perhaps not as good of a bargain) and it's quite possible to find one under $1000 used. |
