The best CD player with volume control

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.

What do you think of running the ResCD50 through a pre amp? I have a Joule but also like it direct into my atma-sphere otl's. One seems far more detailed the other has a lot more body. Decisions decisions. People tell me I might get listener fatigue from all that detail and that I am not listening to music as much as details. Others say that a pre amp can only be additive. Do I just trust my ears? Steve

i've owned a cd-50. it's great. but there's one better. the BIDAT with volume control.

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)...

I usually read these posts and am tempted, but today, it seems that I have many opinions to express...First up, the Resolution Audio CD 50 is a very nice unit. If you are looking for a euphonic sound quality which mimics a warm analog source such as vinyl, this may be the player for you. On the other hand, a higher resolving sound typical of this presentation can be had from Naim gear, and I believe the Naim sounds better. Carl seems to have very many ideas about various gear, but is unaware of the Museatex BiDAT designed by Ed Meitner, a true digital pioneer and a great amp designer. Museatex is a part of the ADS family and is based in Canada. John Wright works with Ed and they can be reached for deals on some great digital front ends for a very reasonable cost. Richie, I agree, the BiDAT is a very good unit. One more reference to Carl. You state that"...If it's not dynamic or rich enough, try MIT cabling, better power cords and a Bedini Ultra Clarifier". Why not take the monies you would spend on all of that signal altering gear and shop around for a better performer which might have a higher cost than the CD 50, but you could probably afford if you have the budget for these accessories! There are a number of units out there offering 18, 20, and 24 bit resolution, digital or analog volume controls, and too many features to list. Audition as many of these units as you can, as there is no substitute for a listening experience with your own gear in your own room. It may not be a very quick process, but one which can be most rewarding. By the way...save all the tweaks for later, when your bored!