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Were to go after a Rega Planet 2000?

Hello,

I have a planet 2000 and enjoy its sound. I like its tone, PRAT, timber etc... but I want more of it. I find that the Rega lacks authority when playing. It still sounds like a CD player (and a CD player at that) but not live music. I want something that has the good qualities of the Rega, but just expands on them. I want a player to take control and give me music which leaves little to none to complain about.

I really like my friends Wadia, but I simply can't afford one.
I love the way it portrays the music.

My budget is $750-$1000 plus what ever I can sell me Rega for.

I have been suggested the Sony DVP-9000es. From what I have read it is reasonably priced and sounds good. But it's a Sony, and I am unsure about it.

I will consider everything, my only request is no tubes. I think they are better served in the preamp. Thoughts and opinions welcome.

Cheers,
Nick
nickway

Showing 3 responses by boa2

boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Yes, Rene, I did have the Planet and then the Planet 2000. I've also owned the JD-100A, a Sony XA7ES, and now the Prima. The Prima is an outstanding player. With jazz/classical/vocals, I think it's hard to find better unless you spend A LOT more money. The Audio Aero Capitole is marginally better and more refined, but even used it's nearly 3X the price of the Prima.

I've heard the Naim CD5i, and thought it was also a very good player. It didn't quite reach for the highs like some players do, but it was very engaging.

Good luck!
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
I've heard all of the Sony's mentioned here, and found them to be exactly as you describe: excellent detail, authority, and superb dynamics. And no midrange. The AA Prima is a much more intimate player, with a seductive midrange, and certainly enough detail and dynamics to keep most happy for a long time. It does not attack like the Sony, but it lets you into the music to a considerably greater level. When listening to the Sony players, I find myself admiring the player more than being taken in by the music. With the Prima, it is all about the music.

You could also try a Bel Canto DAC2 with your Rega. With an excellent digital cable, you will be within your budget, and well beyond the playback capabilities of the Rega.
Good luck,
Howard
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Audio Note: Perfect instrument timbre, yet a collapsed soundstage. Great for background music, but pretty unexciting sound to my ear.

Opus 21: Perfectly balanced, has every aspect nailed down in spades, except the most significant one...emotional involvement. Our AA Prima is not as detailed or dynamic as the Opus 21, but I find it to be considerably more engaging. If you really like the sound of the Planet, you will probably find that the Opus 21 is wonderful, even perhaps at the peak of that type of sound. Personally, however, I've decided that I could not again own a non-tubed player. Perhaps I'll be surprised one day, but I've yet to hear one that plays with the fleshy, palpable body that the tubed players do. Without that, I have only a cerebral connection with the music, and that's just not enough for me to take the player home...into my bedroom...under the covers...with the lights down low...the candles burning...and...oh forget it!

Howard
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