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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
Post removed 
yakbob
484 posts
 

Every time someone resurrects a dead thread I’m reminded how much better this place is without that shill spewing opinions as facts nonstop. 

corelli
1,028 posts
 

@billstevenson Always nice to have a follow up post.  Glad you are happy with your purchase. I have very much enjoyed my Marantz Ruby gear.  I saw the close our pricing on the SA10.  Tempting but I am quite happy with where I am at to be honest.

I certainly agree with you on the CD bargains out there.  Most recent purchase of a box set was Sir Charles Mackerras conducting the Prague Chamber Orchestra performing the Mozart Symphonies.  Excellent in both performance and sound engineering!  Get it.

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,324 posts
 

REGA ISIS VALVE cdp//dac
 

https://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/rega_valve_isis.htm

https://6moons.com/audioreviews/rega2/1.html

billstevenson OP
460 posts
 

"Sir Charles Mackerras conducting the Prague Chamber Orchestra performing the Mozart Symphonies.  Excellent in both performance and sound engineering!"

I have that set too, and could not agree more.  Wonderful.  I also should report that yesterday I was comparing the vinyl and redbook cd versions of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue both circa 2010 versions (not the latest and greatest) and the cd sounds decidedly better.  So I have to amend my comments.  Redbook cd can sound very good indeed and best vinyl at least sometimes.  Finally, what's with all the spam showing up in this discussion?

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