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$2000 CDP for Rock Music????

OK here goes. 1) I am pretty new to this wonderful "hobby." 2) Becuase I live in a small town, 99% of my knowledge about the hobby and the decisions I have made and will make regarding purchases come from various known magazines and the internet. 3) I love music second only to my family and close friends......my music is mostly some variation of "alternative" rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, NIN, Nirvana, PIXIES and Frank Black, Oingo Boingo, Oasis, THE THE, Marilyn Manson and many others from my collection of about 400 CD's. I know this music is not to the liking of many of you out there, it is non the less what I like (I have begun to like some jazz/funk cds, mostly because the music is so "clean.") Anyway my current system.........
PSB Stratus Goldi speakers
Aragon 8008BB amp
Acurus RL 11 preamp
CAL Icon MK II CDP
MIT T2 cables
I don't have much to compare my system to but I know I am missing some of the "air" and "liveliness" as I call it in my music. There also seems to be too much grain and edge to even my better recorded music. I know my speakers and amp are far from state of the art, but it seems to me that my CDP and preamp are my systems weak links. I want to replace my CDP first and am in the $2000 range (maybe a few hundred more if any of you could convince me to spend it). I would definitly consider and even prefer good used equipment. The CDP's I am considering are the sony XA777es or SCD-1(but have heard of reliability probs), Wadia 830, Electrocompaniet EMC 1 (version?????), hell really I don't know......you may have guessed, these are choices I have read about but have never had the chance to audition and won't. I am leaning towards the XA777es simply because it seems like a safe bet and the SACD option seems nice even though most of my music is not on SACD (yet I hope). I really want a CDP that is dynamic, has lots of "drive", has that "air" I am missing, and well hell, I want a CDP that is good at everything......bring it on and thanks in advance. Oh, next to go is the preamp this summer, any suggestions for that in the 2K range would also be nice (BAT stuff seems pretty nice and reasonable but again I really have no clue. Sorry that was so long.
boingo
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch
422 posts
 
I would consider a Theta Miles. Preferably a balanced version (two DACs per channel.) I also listen to the genre of music you describe and I can tell you that the Miles seems to get the rhythm and pacing of rock music perfectly. I think you will find that others agree. Used balanced players can be found for around $1200. Happy listening.
sc53
718 posts
 
I would change the pre before I sold the Cal Icon (I am biased because I too have the Icon), which I think is a great-sounding, smooth, non-fatiguing CD player. You can get a similarly sounding, smoother preamp than the one you are using for $2000 and less--I would consider a tube pre with your Aragon amp. Check the classifieds for tube pre's--there are tons of great ones for sale. If you can find a BAT for $2000, grab it. Some of the ARC models are also good. I would try this before I changed out my CD player. You can definitely smooth out your sound and add air and life with a different pre, the component many feel is the most important in your audio chain.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Nice setup! The Theta mentioned above will give you great bass (Theta does that, and I think some have remote volume if you wanted to bypass your Preamp temporarily until fundage becomes available). I've owned Wadia's and they have the subtle Detail (costs more than Theta) and control and they can be used without a Preamp (KISS). Also Check out some of the Acaram Players (amazing for the money and especially used... if you are looking at Sub 2k)

But I think you are at the point (Good System!) that you need to address your Power coming from the wall. Take PS Audio up on a 30 day in home trial for a PS Audio PowerPlant 300 for your Preamp and CD player (Not your amp), Let it warm up for a couple of days (never turn it off) and then listen to your system! You will be amazed. Or buy the Miles and a used Powerplant for ~$700 on Audiogon.

If you have the time, grab a beer and clean all your Connections (RCA's, Cables, Speaker Binding Posts, and maybe even your power cords...) Buy a Hospital Oulet from Home Depot and change that out! The Six Pack will also make it all sound better to!

Also when you start looking at preamps check the short list - ADCOM GFP-750 (Run it in Active mode for Rock, and passive for Jazz) ~700 used and in three months of listening to that you can figure out the next step in the Disease!
lordgorian
133 posts
 
get a cdp that has a good volume control to bypass your preamp. I owned the theta and it is okay, but in the grand scheme of things its not very good. A levinson 39 tore it up. You could afford a levinson 39 if you sold both your preamp and your cd player. Other players to consider are a wadia 850, a cary 303/200, shanling cdt 100 and i am sure there are more. If you have enough money, you should consider buying either a cary 306/200 with a volume control which run about 3300 or even better an audio aero capitole. I've owned most of the players mentioned above, (the levinson 39, the cary 303/200, the cary 306/200, the theta miles, a sony scd777es, a wadia 830, and an audio aero capitole. The capitole was litterally about 3 times better than the cary 306/200 which was head and shoulders above everything else except maybe the levinson which was closer to the cary. Its all about the money, but you really should consider bypassing your pre if you can.
zonus
41 posts
 
i second the keep the icon. have had one for years and it is tough to beat.why not stay in the cal family. cl 15 sell for 600-700, cl 20 800-1000...stll many reviewers refernce.
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