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What CDP gets really close to vinyl?

Hello, I have been looking for a CD player that is truly airy, transparent, and in this sense similar to vinyl. So far I did not have much luck. I tried a variety of brands, from Rega to Meridian to Ayre, and now own an EAR Acute. Each of these players is wonderful in its own way, but the sense of spaciousness, air, the "I am there in the symphony hall" feeling has never achieved what I can get with a good turntable and good cart. Has anyone had better luck?
ggavetti
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
One that costs $90K, as reviewed on the high-endaudio.com site. Sal is drooling, since he cannot afford such joy. Hey, there is hope, if we get to audio heaven.
kjo
45 posts
 
Audio Aero Capitole Mk II SE comes pretty close in my experience. It does have that sense of spaciousness and air IMHO - could be the tubes. It is a musical and involving cdp. I think I read in a recent listing that Audio Aero has appointed a new North American distributor in the USA, which was something that was missing for some time.
g_m_c
443 posts
 
I would argue that you just don’t have the quality of software with cd's (or sacd’s) in comparison to (original) vinyl. No machine can make great sound out of questionable source material.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
Agree with the above about source material, really great CDs get close. Get a copy of "Equinox" , which was recorded with superior technology to see what can be done.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,915 posts
 
"I would argue that you just don’t have the quality of software with cd's (or sacd’s) in comparison to (original) vinyl. No machine can make great sound out of questionable source material.'

On an absolute scale perhaps, however not all vinyl recordings are equally good nor are all CD recordings equally bad. in fact, some vinyl recordings are pretty bad and some CD recordings are pretty good.

So on a case by case basis at least, which is what really matters, CD quality can sound better than similar vinyl, especially if well mastered or remastered.
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