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CDP Upgrade: Around 2k Used

Hello.

Contemplating upgrading from my Jolida JD 100 CDP w/ "level 1" mods. I like it pretty well, but it has a chattery transport (although I've not heard others make this complaint about the Jolida). Rather than investing time and money in sorting that out, I'm thinking of trying something new. Frequently mentioned possibilities at my price point:

Consonance Droplet
Cary 303-300
Wadia 302
Ayre CX-7e
Audio Resolution Opus 21

Associated gear:

Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono
Marsh 2000b
North Creek Eskas

Room is 13' X 13' X 9', with large openings on two sides.

I listen to a lot of female vocals from jazz to alt.country, 50s-60s jazz, a bit of baroque, and some grungy rock.

I suspect my taste in sound favors "laid back" over "bright."

I've some inclination towards 1 box, for simplicity.

Thanks!

John
jdoris
hens
173 posts
 
Two worth a listen to would be the Musical Fidelity A5 and the Consonance Forbidden City Turandot (unusual looks but sounds cracking - a little cooler sounding than the Droplet, but truly transparent!
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned getting something like a modded Denon 3910. Even a stock unit has terrific sound and they're built like tanks. There's a RAM modded unit here for $1600 right now...

-RW-
tlday
137 posts
 
Look at the Cary 303-300 and listen to the tube output. It is special.
cuttingedge168c60f
5 posts
 
Jdoris,

If you're looking strictly for an awesome redbook cd player, look at the Cary CD 306/200 (this unit was replaced by the new CD 306 SACD). For redbook CD player, this Cary CD 306/200 is hard to beat for the used price range it is selling at. It has solid build quality (35 pounds), very reliable metal transport, can be used as a DAC or transport, balanced XLR outputs, and lastly awesome cd playback. Give it an audition if you can find one.
david12
1,454 posts
 
I am on a similar search and have a similar list. I have narrowed down to Ayre or Resolution opus 21. Having spoken to Steve Huntley at Great Northern Sound, who sells and Mods Wadia and Resolution, I feel he rates Resolution more. I am going for the Resolution with his mods when I can find one 2nd hand. You could get a Resolution now, perhaps mod at a later date, the mods have very good reports. I rate them both above the Consonance, good though it is, I havent heard the Cary. I get the impression the Ayre is better with Ayre amps and certainly better through XLR.
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