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Best Sounding CD / SACD player under 15K

My budget is 15K for a new or preowned CD/SACD player.

Not happy with the McIntosh MCD-500 player. My vintage Denon CD player out performs it. I was very disappointed in the McIntosh MCD500 player. I had the McIntosh MC601 amps and they were disappointing too. No more McIntosh gear for me.

I am on the market now and would like to keep under 15K for a new or preowned CD player. Also no multi format players .

Thanks for any suggestions.
joefama
kiwi_1282001
312 posts
 
Been through a number of players over the years. Currently (and for some time) been using the Cary Audio 306 PRO SACD/HDCD/CD/DAC.

The players high resolution with great bass and a hint of warmth which made it a far more attractive buy for me compared to options from EMM Labs, Esoteric and dCS which were great number crunches but I felt they presented the music in a somewhat detached, cool and sterile fashion. Further, the Cary is one of the few players out there that keeps SACD native AND supports HDCD which I rather like. Moreover, the Cary is one of the few players on the market that does true upsampling with multiple DAC's.

More details on my system and room here
dr_john
66 posts
 
Have you had any service issues with the Wadia S7i ?
dr_john
66 posts
 
Have you had any service issues with the S7i ?
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,323 posts
 
Kiwi,
I was wondering if you have compared the Cary to the Esoteric K-05. How do the 2 compare? Both are in the same price range.
Also noticed that you have deleted your "System" from audiogon.
dsper
658 posts
 
Whatever piece one would choose in the OP's price range better be able to be taken back to the seller if does not sound good when it is auditioned in one's home system setup.

Something may have better detail or soundtage or etc. in the store but it may not make MUSIC at home.
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