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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
hotei
143 posts
 
I like the ARC CD3 MKII.
billstevenson OP
345 posts
 
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.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
arize84
56 posts
 
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.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,506 posts
 
Who in their right mind would care about him?
Sorry, good luck finding a CDP.  Out of my interest.

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
732 posts
 
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.
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