2. digital
  3. 167453-1647

Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player

I know cds are dead.  Best time to buy a cd player, the way it looks.  I want an all in one box.  I don't stream so a separate DAC is not required.  Most of my cd collection have been ripped to a PC as Flac files and then down loaded to a Sony HAP-Z1ES.  Currently about 3000 Redbook and perhaps 100 SACDs.  The way cds are being dumped I figure on becoming a buyer again so these numbers will go up.  I have looked at Marantz SA10, Esoteric K1 (lightly used), and Luxman D-10X, so far.  It would be good if the sound could approach vinyl.  The Z1 does up to a point.  Listening this morning to the same recordings, the Z1 compares to a high end MM cartridge, but not to a SoundSmith Experion.  Maybe I am asking too much, but in any event a new cd player is being sought.  Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bill
billstevenson

Showing 2 responses by goose

goose
721 posts
 
I'm waiting for Luxman to release their D-07X SACD player.  The Esoteric models also have my interest but we shall see.
goose
721 posts
 

It seems that companies like Accuphase, Esoteric, Luxman and Marantz are still supporting CD's which may make a comeback to some degree, especially when comparing the relative bargin to vinyl.  It will be interesting to hear about the new flagship Marantz SACD.  I have found the Marantz players to be a little polite in their presentation but never had the top level ones only a modified 8005 so the comparison is probably not valid.  I will say that my Esoteric K-03XD is a wonderful player and they have voiced it very well without any etching in the upper registers.  I usually use a violin as a test of the upper frequencies and if it passes that test we are off to a good start.

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