Lets talk CD Players

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,644
edited January 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
Im considering a new CDP...

Brands Im considering are as follows...

Symphonic Line
Wadia
Shanling
Musical Fidelity

I want to stay away from...

Jolida
Yamaha
Rotel
Denon
Marantz
Any of the "big brands"
Just not my style :) I'm to arrogant for that :p

A few that comes to mind

Im thinking new --

2-3k

Any opinions or brands?

I have a friend that may bring over a Wadia CDP for me to try --- my interest is very PEAKED on them... they seem amazing -- ratings through the roof

But of course, I have a soft spot for Symphonic..

This is definitely a 2009 purchase
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2008
    I would narrow that to:

    Wadia
    Musical fidelity

    Just my opinion.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited January 2008
    The Tri-Vista is definitely an option I will consider as Ive been very impressed at all the gatherings Ive heard it at...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    I have not heard it yet, but good sounds are being reported from the Raysonic that Joe has. That, as I understand fits within your target budget as well.

    I thought you were on an audio sabbatical [from buying new gear] this year?

    EDIT: Just noticed your edit. I see this is a 2009 purchase.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited January 2008
    Take a look at the Musical Fidelity A5 also.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2008
    Now that my Cambridge Audio 840C is up & running, I must say that I am extremely "over pleased" (is that possible) with it's musicality. I was not expecting anything near this level of performance even though all the reviews have stated that. And the kicker is that it's not even close to it's best sound yet! Worth a look at.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited January 2008
    Like Steve's suggestion and throwing the Raysonic in the mix is gonna give you alot to think about.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    The Tri-Vista is definitely an option I will consider as Ive been very impressed at all the gatherings Ive heard it at...

    The Tri-Vista is out Sid. It has a flawed transport. You would have to go with the MF kW which is pulling in around $4K used.

    December, 26th I purchased a Raysonic CD 168. It plays redbook only but I swear it rivals the redbook playback of the kW. The 168 is absolutely awesome. The sheer weight of the music is unbelievable, detail, bass weight too. I bought a Denon from Bill W as I am going to use that with a MF tube buffer to play SACD and DVD-A.

    I've seen the Raysonic priced from $2600 to $3600 and this is for a brand new piece. I purchased mine from Quest for Sound. Stephen Monte the owner is a great guy and will give you a great price.

    It took about 100 hours to break in. I kept it burning in for another 275 hours just to make sure. Its output tubes run in single ended and balanced so it uses four tubes, 6922 EH comes stock. It runs in pure Class A.

    EDIT: This all from an analog guy!
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2008
    Naim
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  • Chicomoralessxm
    Chicomoralessxm Posts: 417
    edited January 2008
    rega? proceed? maybe audio analogue
    Chicomorales:)
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited January 2008
    The Rega Saturn would be on my list to listen to if I could afford it....
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    Just wondering aloud here but wouldn't it be better just to get a nice DAC ?
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    He's heard the Rega Apollo in his rig and I wouldn't imagine that this would be one for consideration. His Shanling sounded better using the analog outputs. Not a night and day difference, IMO but a slight edge went to the Shanling.

    Trey, why is Jolida not an option for consideration? It turned out to be the missing link in my rig. Incredible difference in the sound stage and harmonics. Texture? Yep. Got it. Maybe I should shoot up there and give you a chance to audition it in your rig. Food for thought, as it has incredible synergy in my rig. I couldn't be happier.

    I know there is better out there, but this player did wonders to the end result and our rigs are somewhat similar. LMK.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2008
    PC harddrive and a DAC. It's all 0's and 1's. Rip it all to a harddrive and then put your money in the DAC. As long as you have a good transport to do the original copy/rip, you then eliminate the weakness of the transport in the playback and you can swap DAC's as needed to get to the sound you like. I'm pretty old school, but after doing some research on this I think it's really the future digital playback method.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    dkg999 wrote: »
    PC harddrive and a DAC. It's all 0's and 1's. Rip it all to a harddrive and then put your money in the DAC. As long as you have a good transport to do the original copy/rip, you then eliminate the weakness of the transport in the playback and you can swap DAC's as needed to get to the sound you like. I'm pretty old school, but after doing some research on this I think it's really the future digital playback method.

    Atta guy throw a monkey wrench into my sale of the Timbre DAC!!!:p:D Now I'm thinking I should keep it for a future application you described above. It never ends.:eek:
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Atta guy throw a monkey wrench into my sale of the Timbre DAC!!!:p:D Now I'm thinking I should keep it for a future application you described above. It never ends.:eek:

    You should.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Atta guy throw a monkey wrench into my sale of the Timbre DAC!!!:p:D Now I'm thinking I should keep it for a future application you described above. It never ends.:eek:
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    You should.

    I can't keep it, I need to pay for the Raysonic!:(
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited January 2008
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I would narrow that to:

    Wadia
    Musical fidelity

    Just my opinion.

    +1

    Or, better yet, spend the money on new speakers. IMO, that's where the nuances of music live or die.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2008
    I'm an old school type of guy when it comes to my 2 ch system, but you just can't deny some of the developments and benefits to the hard drive or music server storage of digital music. I'm not sure I could really justify spending over about $1500 on a CDP without seriously considering the option.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    Since your not buying for over a year I would just research the mentioned companies and pick'em, who knows what might come along in the mean time. A used BAT would be oh so nice the special edition with the supertube, redbook only though and you should consider Cary as well.

    RT1
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited January 2008
    The tri-vista sounds great & it's got inputs for its DAC (so you could run a music server through there), but I've seen more than one w/ a dead transport.

    Wadia is absolutely awesome- nevermind how they sound: I love the machined remotes... if anyone ever breaks into your house, just chuck that badboy in a sock and go to town!
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    unc2701 wrote: »
    The tri-vista sounds great & it's got inputs for its DAC (so you could run a music server through there), but I've seen more than one w/ a dead transport.

    Wadia is absolutely awesome- nevermind how they sound: I love the machined remotes... if anyone ever breaks into your house, just chuck that badboy in a sock and go to town!

    The Tri Vista has nearly 100% failure rate on the transport. Once it does fail, it can't be fixed.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2008
    I've never read a bad word on how the Wadia CD's sound. High price though.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited January 2008
    Sorry to get off the subject, but can you real quick tell me what part of the transport goes bad? If you know, that is....

    Sorry for the derail Trey. If I have another question from the response, I promise I will make another thread. ;):)
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    madmax wrote: »
    High price though.
    madmax

    You said a mouthful. I just saw a couple on the gon and one was over $9k the other was in the $4k zone.
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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited January 2008
    dkg999 wrote: »
    I'm an old school type of guy when it comes to my 2 ch system, but you just can't deny some of the developments and benefits to the hard drive or music server storage of digital music. I'm not sure I could really justify spending over about $1500 on a CDP without seriously considering the option.

    A music server and different speakers are options to consider spending your hard earned money on.

    But it's your money and you asked.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    madmax wrote: »
    I've never read a bad word on how the Wadia CD's sound. madmax

    There **** awesome sounding.

    That ends that Max. Bad Word and all that.

    Hell lets get the boy a DCS or Reimyo, the new Esoteric two piece is a cool 15grand.

    RT1
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  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited January 2008
    dkg999 wrote: »
    I'm an old school type of guy when it comes to my 2 ch system, but you just can't deny some of the developments and benefits to the hard drive or music server storage of digital music. I'm not sure I could really justify spending over about $1500 on a CDP without seriously considering the option.

    I agree. A computer digital source feeding a Monarchy DIP (to remove any jitter) and then on to a quality DAC. That's my plan anyway.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited January 2008
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    The Tri Vista has nearly 100% failure rate on the transport. Once it does fail, it can't be fixed.


    Weird- has that changed in the last year? I was about to buy one last Feb. w/ a dead transport and called up Signalpath and they said they could fix it.

    Hell, they've even got an office in NC, which would be good for Trey.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2008
    Wadia is pretty much the pinnacle in redbook CD. If I had money falling out of my ****, I would own one.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited January 2008
    unc2701 wrote: »
    Weird- has that changed in the last year? I was about to buy one last Feb. w/ a dead transport and called up Signalpath and they said they could fix it.

    Hell, they've even got an office in NC, which would be good for Trey.

    The guy at Signal Path is named Rick. We have two members here who owned Tri Vista SACD players and both took a dump. Musical Fidelity offered up the kW with trade in an a little moola.

    The information about the Tri Vista's failing is all over the audio rags. Stereophile, TAS etc. Musical Fidelity, Krell and a couple of other manufacturers are suing Phillips because Phillips abandoned any responsibility for making good on the crappy transports that were sold to those companies.
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