The Resolution Audio CD50 soundly and wholeheartedly beats EVERY one-box, direct-amp-drive, red book-CD-only player under $10,000 that doesn't upsample (Levinson 39, Wadia 830, 850, 860). The CD50 won't be in production again until this summer, but can be had used for around $1600 ($3000). I sincerely wish you could hear mine now. Come visit it if you can make it to the southeast US anytime soon. THAT SAID, I suggest that since you're willing to spend $5000, you might want to invest that money right now, let it grow for 6 months or more, and consider getting an integrated DAC/Preamp like the Boulder 1012 ($15,000). The digital circuitry can be turned off, when not listening to a digital source. THIS FREES YOU UP TO GET INTO VINYL NOW! With all the stellar reissues on LP, this is truely a SECOND GOLDEN AGE OF VINYL, so you should enjoy it while it's here. Anyway, the Boulder 1012 is sure to kill everything else (at least with 2 channel digital media), if it even comes close to living up to the claim of a true 144 dB of dynamic range (I believe this is both with analog and digital sources). It might require an external upsampler (I'm not sure), but the price on even the best upsamplers is, and should continue to be, falling very rapidly. I've not heard the Boulder myself yet, but hope to soon. |
No offense, Richie, but I'd have to hear for myself, in my system. I'm very doubtful of your claim, unless it upsamples. Who makes this BIDAT? Bring yours by, if you're ever in the southeast. STEVE, yes, trust your ears. If it's not dynamic or "rich" enough, try MIT cabling, and get better power cords and a Bedini Ultra Clarifier. My CD50 and Krell could start avalanches, and is very close to my analog (not the very best rig, but decent)... |
Whoever you are, JRT, you couldn't be more wrong about the CD50, me, or vinyl. This proves that you have no personal experience with either the CD50, or vinyl. There's nothing even remotely euphonic about either! You need to be more honest with yourself and the rest of us. It's my paranoid opinion that you are one of AG's webmasters, since you were able to shut down parts of their server when I tried to post the "real" reply to you. This is my only reply to you, since I'm avoiding personal entanglements from now on, and everyone will be better off for it. |
John, "wow, that's just fantastic...that's really what I think...oh, by the way, which one's 'pink'?" I'm glad that you are getting such good results with your 860, but my CD50 does EVERYTHING you have described, and I still prefer vinyl. To each his own, and all the best... |
I've always said that, and agree with you. Analog does not sound "warm" at all, and whenever somebody has said that to me, I know they don't know what they're talking about. I too am at peace, and I enjoy both CD and vinyl very much, and wonder why others can't do both. It's the only way...and it's not as if nearly ALL the top reviewers don't feel likewise, either. |
Drubin, "makes sense to listen to as much stuff as you can"...that's exactly right! |
I had heard that it would, but apparently it has been replaced altogether. Given its unique upsampling, it is likely that the CD55 is better (overall) than the CD50, perhaps. HOWEVER.....I certainly am in ZERO hurry to sell my CD50, and am very glad to hear how much Petland enjoys his! You need to try the affordable MIT Z-Cord 2, and then IMHO you'll really be overjoyed! I've also thought that the CD50 is extremely underrated, undervalued, under appreciated, over-obscured, and want to welcome Petland to "my 'un-digital, digtial' world" of bliss with the CD50. I would call it the "un-cola" of CD players, but that would just make everybody think it has a euphonic character. I don't think it has any character at all. It's too bad RA doesn't pay me a commission, but then, I'd be a "salesman", and that would lessen the meaning of whatever I happen to be saying. |
Yes, Petland, I agree. For example, I had to upgrade my vinyl front end, just to keep up with the CD50 in several ways, one being string tone (from cellos to violins). I went from a Benz Glider to a Lo4, in order to do this. Of course the vinyl is now better in every way by a goodly margin, but the CD50 is just intoxicating to listen to............Accujim, how nice for you. But, Petland and I will be enjoying our CD50's for quite some time, and will enjoy the money we saved over buying the new CD55, because the CD50 at its used price surely must be an even better buy than the 55 when new....not that the 55 isn't a world beater, I'm sure it is. Happy listening. |
