The best CD Player for the money

Mr. Tennis - Thanks for notifying of the Teac review. I've read it a couple of times. A lot of information conveyed. I do have a question. As I read, I see use of comparative adjectives throughout the article. In several places it's obvious comparisons are between the Teac's playback modes (e.g., redbook Vs SACD). In other places, not quite as clear. In the below excerpt from the "redbook listening session", is the sound from the Teac being compared to "CD players [you] auditioned recently"; i.e. the Vincent and Marantz? That seems the case but please confirm.

"I observed greater density of the strings, greater impact, greater fullness and greater extension in the bass region. The instrument also sounded larger in size. The piano sounded fuller and had more weight…."

Thanks in advance.

PS - RH,
Do you still intend to purchase the Teac?
I'll be interested in your reasons [as promised earlier :-) ] if you are.

at this juncture, I will not purchase the marantz, and because of the Vincent's limitations--no SACD or acceptance of high resolution files, and the fact that I own three other tubed players, I will not purchase the Vincent.

my issue with the TEAC is that it lacks liquidity. It is ruthlessly revealing of recordings, but may be invaluable when reviewing other components.

if I were to buy the TEAC it would depend upon the price.

Thanks, RH - fair enough. Happy to say I did purchase the TEAC. Got a great price on a demo (<<$2000) from Quest for Sound. In addition, Stephen allowed me to do an in-home trial with no obligation other than shipping. My previous experience with CDPs is nowhere near as extensive as yours nor with such sophisticated gear. I'd moved from a Cambridge Audio (D500?)SE to Upgrade Company modified Denon DVR2910 to the Teac. The Teac took a LOT of time to break in and early on I almost sent it back due to "lack of bass". Lot's of detail but not much warmth. Adequate burn-in time certainly took care of that concern. I'm really not sure what is meant by "liquidity" or how this would translate into something missing from my own listening experience. Bad CDs still sound bad although the up sampling feature seems to help in this regard. Todd Rundgren's remastered "A Wizard a True Star" is just about impossible to listen to. Upsampling helped with this recording. Lucinda Williams, "World Without Tears" redbook CD serves as a good example of a great recording that's even more enjoyable played by the Teac. For me, there is just "more" there…more presence of instruments, soundstage, air, bass. Plenty of mid-range bass and warmth because it's there on the CD. Another positive was listening to the SACD version of Peter Gabriel's "Up". Hearing it from the Teac was a goose-bump inducing, hair-raising experience….and I mean that in a good way. An uncanny sort of in the room presence. I was drawn to the Teac initially based on design. Dual DACs, twin power supply, high rez capable, digital in options (used with V-Link USB converter it has made the V-DAC I was using redundant), balanced XLR out terminals. These considerations checked off some boxes for me that the candidate Marantz players (8004 or 15S2B) did not. Cosmetically the Teac (mine in silver) is a beautiful unit and I like the design approach…not fussy, almost minimalist but providing exactly the needed functionality. Set up is extremely easy compared to some of the very well-regarded hi value offerings that also do video. Couple of things that "bug" me about it: 2 second delay between tracks on SACD. This interrupts the music when one track fades continuously into another with out intentional recorded gap between the tracks; also (minor) no way to open the loading tray from the remote. FWI - running the Teac with tube pre and amps (Consonance Cyber 50 & 800SEs). Will also use it with a Hegel 200 (anxious to try balanced IC). Speakers are Totem Forest. ICs right now are Anti-cables. Do plan to try some others.

For Audiolabyrinth as to why would someone buy the Teac and not the entry level Esoteric? For some of us, a $4000 price differential can be a strong inducement.

Ghosthouse,
I'm glad you like your TEAC. As you know, I went for the Marantz but in the end, it's all about what gets you down the path.

As revealing as these players are, with respect to the higher cost brands I think most of the added costs are in the casing and hardware (vault like transport mechanisms, isolation techniques, etc.). When one gets down to the end result (the actual sound) it all boils down to perspective and preference as one is only different and not necessarily better.

All the best,
Nonoise