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Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player

I know cds are dead.  Best time to buy a cd player, the way it looks.  I want an all in one box.  I don't stream so a separate DAC is not required.  Most of my cd collection have been ripped to a PC as Flac files and then down loaded to a Sony HAP-Z1ES.  Currently about 3000 Redbook and perhaps 100 SACDs.  The way cds are being dumped I figure on becoming a buyer again so these numbers will go up.  I have looked at Marantz SA10, Esoteric K1 (lightly used), and Luxman D-10X, so far.  It would be good if the sound could approach vinyl.  The Z1 does up to a point.  Listening this morning to the same recordings, the Z1 compares to a high end MM cartridge, but not to a SoundSmith Experion.  Maybe I am asking too much, but in any event a new cd player is being sought.  Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bill
billstevenson
audiosaurusrex's avatar
audiosaurusrex
316 posts
 
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.
avanti1960
1,411 posts
 
have you thought about an MBL Corona?  I listened long to one and it was phenomenal- better than vinyl, no offense.  
gary_c
46 posts
 
@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.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
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.
gary_c
46 posts
 
OP asked for CD player recommendations, and half the gallery goes off into the weeds as usual.
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