What is the best CD player direct into one's amp?

The 308T is also very good as I had this player. I agreee with Reubent on this. I also owned the Quad I found it to be one of the biggest disappointments I have had in audio.

I so agree with Reubent on the Opus and Cary and am not sure why we are on the opposite extremes on the Quad. I found the Quad very electronic sounding. Not musical at all and rather lifeless. System matching my be an issue, I don't know. I found the preamp section paired with the player even worse yet.

Love to hear other comments on their experience with the Quad. Mine was the 2nd generation model as an FYI.

Bill

Wadia 302 also sounds pretty good. Some interconnects work better than others for connecting directly to amp

Visit the website for EVS passive attenuators.There is a through discussion of what is involved in setting up a direct to amp system.I'm presently using the EVS passive attenuators between my theta DAC and Amp.I also use it for my phono stage.I plan to take this configuration a step further by having amps modified so they will take a direct connection without a volume control.

Hey Bill,

I know we've "sparred" over the Quad before and I too find if interesting that we agree on the other players and not the Quad. I really liked it in my system and it bested all of those listed, except the RA Opus 21.

Interestingly, I took the Quad to a friend's home. He has a very highly resolving system comprised of a $10,000 TT setup, a $4000+ Herron Pre-amp, Herron phono stage, ARC tube amplifier and Quad 63 speakers and a Meridian 508.24 CD player. It is a great sounding system. We put the Quad 99 CDP player into his system in place of the $4000 Herron and Meridian player. The Quad playing CD direct was easily superior to the Herron/Meridian combo.

Now, my buddy in an analog guy as you can tell from his system. He also preferred the Quad CDP playing direct vs the Herron/Meridian combo.

Just goes to show you, one man's champagne is another man's Miller High Life!

Enjoy,

TIC

If you can ever find a used Opera Audio "Droplet" -- BUY IT. Will give you evrything you are looking for, and then some.