CD Player recommendations for a SET system

the Naim CD5x should warm things up.

Tickfight, you asked if it is possible for a SET system to produce dynamic sound. For me, the answer is an emphatic "YES"! My system (see link below) consists of a pair of Cary CAD-805AE SET's which put out 50W/ch, these are running a pair of ProAc D38's. I am using the Cary CD-306 CDP.

I am somewhat puzzled that your speakers cannot produce dynamic sound with SET's. VSA claims that the DB99 is 98-99 dB/W/m with a nominal impedance of 8 Ohms. That is a very easy to drive, very efficient speaker. My speakers are 91 dB/W/m, and 4 Ohm - they would be absolute pigs to drive compared to yours!

I am a classical fan also. One thing which I noticed with my new system is that it really shows up the bad recordings. Like, virtually the whole DG catalogue. Listening to an SACD really lifts the sound by a notch - incredible dynamics with natural sounding voices and violins. On SACD's like Carlos Kleiber's recording of Beethoven #7 on Orfeo (you MUST get this if you are a classical fan, BTW!), the orchestra is layered out in front of you and extends precisely to the left and right. It's quite something to hear individual instrumental timbres even in the middle of a fortissimo.

I really don't know what's happening on your end. Like Larry said (and I agree), a new CDP will not correct confused sounding music very well. Maybe it would help if you told us what SET you are running, what tubes, and what CDP you are using.

This thread reminds me of a TNT editorial found in this week's addtion titled "Tell Me Lies Tell Me Sweet Little Lies" - http://www.tnt-audio.com/edcorner/october06.html. While I cannot offer advice on a better CDP, I think many have hinted that your current speakers and SET power may really be limited in providing the audio enjoyment that you seek for classical music.

I think the best advice is to seek out a higher power amp that really will work with your current speakers.

Just my $.02

This thread reminds me of a TNT editorial found in this week's addtion titled "Tell Me Lies Tell Me Sweet Little Lies"

Interesting article. Thanks. Your link is bad though having added a period at the end of the link. Here is a Corrected Link for that article.

Marco

Here's a 2nd for the Naim. I bet it would work magic in your system, even the CD5i which can be had new for ~$1700 and it just gets better from there.