Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player

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.

Try Bryston or Hegel

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.

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 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.  

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

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.

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

@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.

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.

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

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.

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.

I like the ARC CD3 MKII.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.  

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.  

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.  

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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

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

My understanding is that McIntosh SACDs players are basically Bryston DACs coupled with a Marantz transport. I was told this by a dealer, so apply some grains of salt to the info.

"...Lasers do not stop working due to age or usage..."

Lasers as a group do wear out with usage. I know I’ve bought a couple of 60000 buck lasers because the laser was timed out. I guess the lasers in CD players are long life LED lasers? Not sure but they do not last forever either. My old hi-end dealer would not buy or sell used CD players because of the laser issues.

You misinterpreted my post.  A Laser can go out AT ANY TIME....like a week after you buy it...not because of its age/usage. Thats what I meant.

All CD players are kinda crap at digital. The best possible source for a digital file is a RAM Disk. Its not hard to see why, as its absolutely effortless from your RAM.
I have actually tested this extensively, and an NVMe drive is pretty close to a RAM Disk, with SSDs just behind and HDs behind them. I don't have good CD players to test but regular ones are not as good as any HD that I have heard. CD players just throw the bits, as they read them, at their DAC, or out to your DAC, while digital files have header, so the system knows what's happening.

 Come on kids, I'm nearly 75 and have been tweaking my systems since the 80s of the last century. Computer noise can be pretty well eliminated by using a Pi bridge of some kind, and the Pi2AES hat is so good at this, the signal my DAC sees is very clean indeed, with almost imperceptible levels of both noise and jitter.

Billstevenson,
You should also consider the overall sound that you are looking for.
Some suggestions here are very different and your first question about brands that you are interested mentiones two different ’schoolos’ of sound
I believe that Marantz and Esoteric (speaking in general) have different approach to the sound and Luxman  would be closer to Marant (but perhaps not the  D-10x)
If I would judge by your choise of equipment I would say that ’precission and ultimate resolution’ (overall sound of esoteric digital might be desribed that way) is not your first goal when choosing hi fi components.
Than again, maybe such player would be better in your system than the one of different voicing.
You will need to take both kind home and try it.

I do not use pc audio.or streaming
As far as ’analog’ sound of digital players is concern, I prefer Burmester brand.
I have had few their players, 061, 001 and just recently I got the 089 model
Had Dcs Puccini with clock,which is great on SACD or on new production, but it will make your not so good recordings even more difficult to listen, once had Bryston as well, had a chance to listen and compare Luxman D05 (or 6) and Ayre as well.

There is a brand and player that I would like to recommend.
It is the Metronome, their ’entry’ model Le player 2 s.

https://www.mymetronome.shop/en/produit/le-player-2s-audio-cd-player-dac/

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/m%C3%A9tronome-technologie-le-player-2s

I had it for a year and than replaced it with 089 Burmester.
Still, the Metronome is very nice sounding cd player, seriously built, with very ’analog’ like sound. Also, I had it in all tube system (30w p.single ended amp with 6550 tubes in ultra linear mode) and with single ended connections (I belive CJ also have only se) it worked great, unlike some more expensive models which require balanced equipment to show all of its potential

I have Marantz SA 10, this sacd competes with my SME 10 turntable, the SA10 if you can match it properly, right  cabling and other gear, it will give you the musical dynamic micro and macro, The layering of every instrument do have their space, The SA 10 is a well balance full sounding sacd , it has a very good slam and bass ,It’s a heck of a good player, very powerful sacd player, I don’t even miss vynil when I got the SA 10. My analog set up is excellent as well , I think esoteric stuff are also excellent, I use to have one, and stop working, the repair service can be difficult for the esoteric as well.Iam on my way to buy the MaRantz Ruby sacd player...

PS audio SACD transport + their Directstream DAC. ‘Nuff said. Check out their website. 
I have both and they reveal details I’d never heard. 

All of those are good considerations but do not forget accuphase and i you can find one in good working order try a classic wadia or go out of your way to hear one at least.

This thread has been extremely helpful.  Thank you all.  I ordered a Luxman D10X today and I did so with confidence that would not have been possible without the input from this discussion.

Bill congratulations, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Luxman D10 x. Updates us when you receive it.Agree the thread went on the right directions.. 

Congratulations on the purchase! Once settled in, please follow up with your impressions of the unit. 

op

don’t think you will do much wrong with the 15k brand new luxman cdp - no doubt a quality piece, certainly easy on the eyes and to the touch, and built to last

the what hifi review calls out the sound as being perhaps a little sharp... that is consistent with what i have heard out their recent upper line solid state amps - very refined but nonetheless a lively treble, erring on the side of transparency and speed, rather than warmth and saturation

hope the sound of the unit synergizes with the rest of your system -- please do come back let us know how it works out

billstevenson

Nice choice! Keep this thread updated as you massage Luxman D10x into your room and system. Very fine gear in Conrad Johnson.

Happy Listening!

Hello;

I am also an analog guy, but I own a very musical and pleasant CD player:
the Rega Saturn-R which I strongly recommend.

if you want to go more High End, go for their top range and try the Rega Isis or the Rega Isis Valve CD players.

they are more expensive than my Saturn-R but still thousands of euros less expensive than many “Hihg End” CD players and they play better (the closest approach to a top vinyl system).

check the link:

http://https//www.rega.co.uk/products/valve-isis

We have some on this forum that live by specifications.  Since most all CD players have pretty much identical specs, just buy the cheapest CD player you can find and it will sound better than vinyl- by their logic.  Of course, most of us know better...