Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player

Pretty Sad Twoleft...the TOTL Bryston isn't as good as the lowest Luxman.

Luxman D-05u beats the Bryston BCD-3 (I own both).

So I'd go for a Luxman D-10x.

I’m a McIntosh fan, smooth sounding, less clinical. 

Ive owned a couple of Marantz (Pearl/Sa-10)and currently own both the K01XD and Luxman D-10 as well as Ayre Universal Player DX-5 and Oppo 105 + 205. 

Oppo Dacs are REALLY lame. If your gonna use an Oppo just use it as a Transport. Some of these people have just never compared spinners obviously.

Lasers do not stop working due to age or usage. They can crap out at ANY time which any CD Player manufacturer will tell you. Always smart to stock up on NOS Lasers while available. Super Cheap.

The Cambridge 851C is a very warm and nice sounding player. I would not buy a used CD player, lasers and transport repairs are often unavailable. 

To all the people here who have commented, have you actually heard the units you are/are not recommending or are you going by what you have read about them?  My recommendation was based on solid evidence and I have heard the Luxman and Marantz. No comparison to Esoteric.  Esoteric makes transports other high end manufacturers buy.  

I don't stream, know nothing, but some Oppo's can be used as DAC I think.

Just did what you are going to do. It got me back to enjoying my CD’s as well as my Vinyl.

I kept cost down by going for a used Oppo bdp-105. Good advice and praise for it here, many good reviews like this one

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/oppo-bdp-105

Also great praise for Oppo bdp 205, I went for 105’s lower cost.

They have very convenient remote volume, and ’Pure Audio’ mode as well as dual processors ....

For CD only, the full function remote is quite large if that makes a difference to you.

Laser Life: IF you go for a used unit of any maker: find out how much it has been used, the lasers eventually weaken, then you get ’no disc’, ... other error messages. It’s not what year it was made, it’s how much the laser was used. I had to return one for that reason, bought this one from original owner with very low use assured.

Bill,

Among your choices, Luxman D-10X has the best analog like sound due to its D/A converter. The built quality is outstanding. Esoteric toss around here a lot but to my ears its players are no where near analog sounding as Luxman.

I would also take a look at Accuphase DP-750, it’s what I call the end game SACD/CD transport.

https://www.accuphase.com/cat/dp-750_e.pdf

Budget?
Dont overlook Bryston.  I have the DAC, and I love it.  Very open, natural, no glare.  I have heard the Hegel once at Axpona and that was my general impression as well.  I don’t care for the Marantz house sound and their customer service is terrible.
  I can’t afford Esoteric or T/A, but if you can look there

Luxman D-10x is probably as close to Analog as your gonna get. Its a laid back presentation. Marantz Sa-10 is nowhere in the same league as Luxman/MSB/Esoteric...and is priced accordingly.  I purchased the Marantz SA-10 for $2700....The Luxman D-10X I got the Reviewer Sample for $10,500.  Most (that have tried both) prefer the Esoteric K-01XD to the Luxman D-10X.  Guess it depends on the music your listening to. If you wanna Rock out go for the Esoteric. If your into lightweight stuff (female vocals/classical/jazz) you'll probably prefer the Luxman.  Cross the Marantz off your list unless money is an issue.   If RE-SALE value is important to you forget about brands like MBL, Ayon, Oppo/Modwright...you'll get killed.

I have an older luxman D05 and it sounds extremely good, warm and dynamic with smooth detail.  Luxman is due to release more models between the 3x and 10x but if you have the budget the 10x should be outstanding.  
I heard the Hegel mohican and hated it.  it tried too hard to be midrange smooth and wound up casting a soft sheen over the detail.  
Budget no concern the MBL unit mentioned earlier is the best I have heard.  Beats the Esoteic model I also heard.  
I have also a Marantz SA 8005 and wanted a retreat from the Marantz sound when I bought the Luxman.  Very happy with it.  

Suggest you have a look at the Ayon players.  The CD 10 or CD 35 (generation II Ultimate).  Does PCM to DSD then runs it through a slow roll off filter (if you like). Tube output stage.  The strength is musicality … analogue like for a CD player.  If money allows, consider the Weiss DAC (two different models depending on your budget) and Transport.  

There are a couple of things I don't want:  Any kind of a computer integrated directly into my sound system or any other kind of an Erector Set of subcomponents such as disc drive, DAC and clock just to play silver discs.  I view this as a secondary source.  That it why I specified a one box solution in my OP.  As far as PS Audio is concerned a couple of thoughts:  First, their two box solution does much the same thing as the Marantz SA10, different approach but net effect quite similar, but at twice the price.  Second, the company screwed their dealer network over last year and have effectively fixed their prices in an anti-competitive manner.  I own their excellent power supply equipment, but don't think I want to get further in bed with them.
Back to the Marantz SA10, What HiFi is the only resource I have found so far that has rated both it and the Luxman D10X (although there are other ratings for one or the other).  The ratings were done at different times, however, and I don't know anything about the credibility of What HiFi.  Can anyone offer insight?
I am unfamiliar with Hegel.

modwright’s modded sony or marantz or oppo units with tube output stage are very hard to beat for sound quality, but you have to deal with multiple boxes, umbilicals, tubes etc etc

levinson’s top players were excellent, there is one just fixed up on the other used gear site

the vacuum state modded top tier sony’s are also really wonderful solid state units

i still have a modwright and a vsei sony scd-1...

among current players, the hegel mohican has had excellent reviews, i have not heard it, but hegel only makes stuff that sounds great

Just rip your CDs to an NVMe drive. They play much better from one really. A DVD/Blueray burner is incredibly good at this kind of thing and is about $40 these days.

A budget was not stated. Nevertheless, the ps audio two box setup is very good. If the space is available. It’s not a one box system, obviously, yet it will play both cd and sacd quite well. if something goes awry, service would be a quick turnaround as they are a us company.

Who in their right mind would care about him?
Sorry, good luck finding a CDP.  Out of my interest.

The D10x is very good, but if I wasn't specifically looking to play SACDs, I would seriously consider Holo Audio May DAC and good CD transport. I haven't heard the DAC but it is getting rave reviews everywhere for its analog sound.

Arize84 wrote:  I have a Luxman D10x. When I play the redbook layer of Analogue Productions jazz SACDs and then A/B it against the corresponding 45rpm record from AP, the difference is almost negligible. In fact, I have started replacing some of my AP 45 rpms with AP SACDs. I used Nina Simone's Little Girl Blue, Grant Green's Idle Moments, and Cannonball's Something Eles, to do the comparison. On the flip the DSD layer of those SACDs sound flat compared to vinyl.

This is particularly helpful, thank you.  The D10X has to be pretty good.  It got a great write up in Absolute Sound this month.  Marantz ,too, gets praised constantly.  Have not found much on Esoteric.  I am trying to work with a local dealer so will have to inquire about availability of some of the other recommendations.  The only one I would not consider is Audio Research.  Not because it is not good, but because of a bad experience years ago.  I am an elephant.  I am a tube guy.  All of my amplification is top level Conrad Johnson:  GAT/2, ART150, TEA1/series3.

I like the ARC CD3 MKII.

I will give my 2 cents. I have a Luxman D10x. When I play the redbook layer of Analogue Productions jazz SACDs and then A/B it against the corresponding 45rpm record from AP, the difference is almost negligible. In fact, I have started replacing some of my AP 45 rpms with AP SACDs. I used Nina Simone's Little Girl Blue, Grant Green's Idle Moments, and Cannonball's Something Eles, to do the comparison. On the flip the DSD layer of those SACDs sound flat compared to vinyl.

Moving to rock, the AP DSD layer of Pink Floyd's "I wish you were" sounds no different than the most recent release on vinyl. The DSD layer of my Japanese SACD of Fleetwood Mac's rumors is noticeably better than my copy of the Bernie Grundman's 45 rpm cut that everyone claims is the best version of the album.

My analog rig is Rega Planar 8, Sound Smith Paua MkII cartridge, PS Audio Stellar Phono. Amplification is Pass Labs XP-20 preamp and Parasound JC 5 amp. Hope this helps.

The Aesthetix spinner includes a very lush organic DAC. Stuff it with great tubes from Andy at Vintage Tube. Andy and Jim white of Aesthetix know how to get great sound.

The Ayre decks have also served me well over the years.

OP asked for CD player recommendations, and half the gallery goes off into the weeds as usual.

I completely agree with ghdprentice. Just look at his post:

Btw, I have been repeatedly dissatisfied and disappointed by digital for decades… the promise… the failure, rinse, repeat.

He forgets to lather. But aside from that, well said.

@billstevenson,

Although you said that you don't need a separate DAC at the moment, keep in mind that many CD players have a digital input and can be used as a standalone DAC, in case you desire that flexibility in the future.

I have a Simaudio Supernova and greatly prefer CD sound quality over feeding FLAC files into it. It has a nice analog output stage, but seems to handle the digital-analog handoff better when playing CDs.

have you thought about an MBL Corona?  I listened long to one and it was phenomenal- better than vinyl, no offense.  

For me it’s a matter of convenience. I’m 60 and while I love love my vinyl, I sometimes just don’t like getting up every 20 min to change sides but I do when I’m into it. I have a Pioneer Modwright LX500 with IBM 6DJ8 Green Tops from Andy at VTS and I have to say it’s glorious. Different of course from vinyl but spinning some of my SACD or MoFi disks is just a joy. Feeding my Octave V70 Class A amp my Spatial M3 Sapphires love anything I send it. I did work on everything from dedicated power, full SR loom and acoustic treatments. I do think it’s possible to achieve lush sounding digital music IMO. I think there are still some great sounding transports and system tweaking and matching can achieve great results.

You may want to look into the Technics SL-G700.
https://www.technics.com/us/products/grand-class/g700-series/sl-g700.html

https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-technics-sl-g700-digital-player/

https://hometheaterreview.com/technics-sl-g700-networksacd-player-reviewed/

All the best,
Nonoise

I would go with the Esoteric. .  I have an X-3, and LOVE it.  I bought it in 2012 and wouldn’t consider another brand if buying another.  No matter how good the Marantz SA 10 is, it isn’t in the Esoteric K1 league.  The build quality is off the charts, mine is a hefty 55 pounds.  

recording and mastering more matters than equipment. there are LPs sounding like crap and there are CDs not any better, but overall it's the music that we want to listen counts no matter how good or bad it was mastered and recorded. 
I'm extremely satisfied with my Marantz CD67se from 90s. It's worth nearly-nothing now to purchase and to own.

I agree and completely disagree with Millercarbon. Digital will never approach vinyl for him, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. Look at his system. But for the rest of us simple maniacal audiophiles that is absolutely not true. Over the last couple of years my last upgrades finally put my system where both digital and analog are equally satisfying… CD or streaming… streaming can be a touch better because of all the high Rez content available. My vinyl is slightly more detailed, but by a really small margin. Not something that is immediately apparent (once again for normal avid audiophiles). This is where your values are important. Mine now put musicality over detail, I want and have both… but while I used to strive to have the details as if they were under a bright spotlight. I no long strive for that. I want the music first, with a really strong emotional connection with the details there so if I want to appreciate a single aspect I can. Both my analog end and digital end are immersive and musical. I could tell the difference if blindfolded… but it would take a while. My CD Player / DAC is an Audio Research Ref CD9se with all components ARC reference… there is a lot of synergy there. So, you can do it.

Btw, I have been repeatedly dissatisfied and disappointed by digital for decades… the promise… the failure, rinse, repeat.

Try Bryston or Hegel

It would be good if the sound could approach vinyl.

It would indeed. Oh well. Whatever you wind up with, it will sound a whole lot more analog on some Townshend Pods. Never will approach vinyl, never will truly satisfy, but it is nice to have for those things that aren't on LP.