Recommend a CD player for my 2 channel

2

Comments

  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    Norm Apter wrote: »
    Hi Mike,

    Is your Jolida modded or a standard/ stock unit. I noticed that the AH! 4000 model is modded, but wasn't sure about your Jolida. Whether it is or not, I was wondering if you put some thought into that when you bought it -- did that play a role in deciding upon the unit that you picked up.

    Just trying to straighten out the difference between two types of variables: modded and switching tubes. I know that they mean different things, but am wondering if these two variations speak to categorically different kinds of sound/improvement.

    Norm,The AH! that I had did indeed have the "Up-Sampler" installed,I believe this is the main mod. for this player.

    I'm not knocking the player,I bought it used and after about 25 hours of use,I had to replace the transport...even when it was working properly I still preferred the sound of the Jolida.

    My Jolida is "stock",as you know there are several different paths to mod. this player...one of the drawing cards in my purchase...I just haven't gotten around to send it anywhere yet to have it worked on.
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2009
    Mike,, I may need to talk to you,regarding my Ah!,which is on it's way back.I'll wait until it arrives, then I may need your expertise.(transport mech.)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Good questions.

    Underwood is the retailer for Parts Connexion, so basically one and the same. I like their mods the best, however I totally disagree with their comments about upgrading the clock.

    "We do not recommend upgrading the clock on the JD-100. It voids the factory warranty and dramatically lowers reliability. If anyone recommends upgrading the clock you should call Jolida to verify this and realize that they do not have your best interests in mind."

    I fail to see how it could affect the reliability at all unless the replacement clock wasn't of good quality. My player has a Trichord Research clock, which has been trouble free and is vastly superior to the stock clock.

    There is no standard, the mod level offerings do vary from company to company. For the money I feel that Parts Connexion offers the best deal.

    Thanks for info -- this is all good to know. I'll keep it in mind as I put my next foot forward (still have some thinking to do about budget/needs) and consider what is available on the used market.
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2009
    dragon1952 wrote: »
    If your system is laid back already, the Jolida may not be the best fit. I had the Jolida in a laid back system and, while it was nice, I wasn't blown away or anything. I found a great deal on a Music Hall CD 25.2 thinking I could sell it if I didn't like it, and I ended up selling the Jolida instead.

    Thanks for your response.

    I'm intrigued... and was wondering if you could elaborate a little more on what you preferred about the Music Hall CDP over the Jolida JD-100. If that takes you too far into esoteric terminology, then I still have one other question for you:

    Have you owned or heard the LSi series speakers? If so, I'm just wondering if you feel that your system is laid back in the same way that most people talk about LSi speakers being laid back. When you had the Jolida in, was it a matter of things not sounding lively enough???

    Feel free to address these kinds of questions in any way you see fit...as mentioned above, sometimes its hard to convey the differences in words.
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited February 2009
    Not sure if the group here will like this but it looks like a nice deal to me.It would be mine if I had the funds to spare. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtltran&1239142060&/Rotel/Meridian/Aav2.0-RDD980/203
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
    Adcom 565 monoblocks--Monarchy Audio M-10 preamp
    Theta Data Basic Transport--Stello DA100 Signature DAC--Camelot Dragon Pro2 MK III
    Harman Kardon T-55c TT
    DH Labs Q-10 Signature Speaker Cables With Furez silver plated copper bananas
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference AES/EBU
    Revelation Audio Labs Prophecy Cryo-Silver i2s digital cable
    4 Furutech FP-314Ag with FI-11cu Plugs/FI-11AG IECs--- Power Cords
    DH LABS REVELATIONS ICs-amps
    Revelation Audio Labs Paradise cryo-silver ICs-Source to pre
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    Keiko wrote: »
    You might find a used Denon 3910 in that price range. Start saving your Plasma Center dough now Curt.

    Thanks for the suggestion Mike.:) That looks like a really nice unit. I've been going back and forth on whether or not I want to get a DVD player, or a dedicated CD player. This is going to be for the two channel rig I'm setting up, so DVD playback isn't necessary.

    I like that the audio and video circuitry are completely isolated from each other, which is a concern I've had. I've heard from a lot of people that even the best "audiophile" DVD players aren't going to sound as good as an equivalent dedicated CD player. It does seem like there are a lot of arguments on both sides of the fence in that debate though.

    I'll definitely be keeping this one in mind though. It seems like they're going for around 350-400 on Audiogon, which is right in my target price range.

    Looks like I've got a few more trips to the Plasma Center to make now.:p
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited February 2009
    Thanks for the suggestion Mike.:) That looks like a really nice unit. I've been going back and forth on whether or not I want to get a DVD player, or a dedicated CD player. This is going to be for the two channel rig I'm setting up, so DVD playback isn't necessary.

    I like that the audio and video circuitry are completely isolated from each other, which is a concern I've had. I've heard from a lot of people that even the best "audiophile" DVD players aren't going to sound as good as an equivalent dedicated CD player. It does seem like there are a lot of arguments on both sides of the fence in that debate though.

    I'll definitely be keeping this one in mind though. It seems like they're going for around 350-400 on Audiogon, which is right in my target price range.

    Looks like I've got a few more trips to the Plasma Center to make now.:p

    I don't want to sway you from the 3910, because it is a fantastic player. But that's what I have now, and for whatever it's worth my next upgrade will be to a dedicated CD player as I'm currently of the opinion that a universal player can only take you so far in the world of 2-channel madness.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2009
    Well since it is just going to be for a 2 channel system, just get a cd player.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Well since it is just going to be for a 2 channel system, just get a cd player.

    That's what I'd prefer ideally. It just seems like there aren't many options for SACD players in my price range, aside from universal players. I've found quite a few nice CD players that would fit my price range, but the only one I've found that offers SACD playback is the Sony SCD-C2000ES. That player won't really work for me either because it's a 5-disc changer, and I'm not really a fan of CD changers.

    I've still got plenty of time to shop around for them, so I'm not making any decisions yet. I've still got to get my power amp, and figure which pre I'm going to use. The CDP won't be coming along until after that.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited February 2009
    Norm Apter wrote: »
    Thanks for your response.

    I'm intrigued... and was wondering if you could elaborate a little more on what you preferred about the Music Hall CDP over the Jolida JD-100. If that takes you too far into esoteric terminology, then I still have one other question for you:

    Have you owned or heard the LSi series speakers? If so, I'm just wondering if you feel that your system is laid back in the same way that most people talk about LSi speakers being laid back. When you had the Jolida in, was it a matter of things not sounding lively enough???

    Feel free to address these kinds of questions in any way you see fit...as mentioned above, sometimes its hard to convey the differences in words.

    No, I've never heard the LSi's but I understand the Vifa tweeter is easy on the ears. And I have also heard (read) it compared to the tweeter in my Von Schweikert VR-1s. The combination of my tube integrated and VR-1's are pretty laid back already, and I felt the Jolida might be adding too much more to that? I had the Jolida before the VR-1's, and it worked great in a few of my other systems with the same integrated....with the Paradigm Studio 40's and then later with some Klipsch speakers, and then with some Vandersteen 2CE signatures (which I sold because I was moving out of state and was going to be in a rental for a while.) But once I got the VR-1's, I started thinking about whether or not a solid state CD player wouldn't be more appropriate and maybe add a little 'sparkle' or 'detail'. It added exactly what I was looking for, without **** anything else up. I A/B'ed it with the Jolida for a couple weeks and then sold the Jolida. With these speakers, I can listen to just about any CD in my collection and it sounds great. Some of these CD's sounded terrible on any other speakers I have owned. The CD player has added some missing detail, and it has a very 'liquid' sound in my system, like the Jolida. I can't say enough good things about it. I got a crazy deal on it ($375 shipped brand new) or I might not have tried it. But if this one busted or was stolen I'd buy the same one again. Something was just missing with the Jolida, and I thought it might be too many tubes in the mix. Plus, while rolling tubes was fun at first, after a while you still wonder if you've got the optimum tubes in there. Anyway, I know you don't have tubes, but if you think your system is laid back already then a solid state CD player might be the way to go....or maybe not. The good thing about the Jolida is, if you're patient, you can usually find a great deal on a used one and always get your money back. But if you go solid state, before I spent $700-$1000 for one I'd find one of these used for $350-$400 and see what you think. You don't seem to see many used though, which should tell you something. I know it doesn't have that big name appeal, but they are sweet little players.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
  • Barefoot
    Barefoot Posts: 149
    edited February 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    I firmly believe it all starts with the source.....garbage in, garbage out. Have you ever considered that aspect?

    +1. I'm not sure of the guy's budget limits but he should audition the NAD M5 SACD player. It's multi-channel capable but is designed for a 2ch. setup. I believe the source should sound as neutral as possible. Let the amp and/or speakers determine the tonality.
  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited February 2009
    [QUOTE=F1nut I firmly believe it all starts with the source.....garbage in, garbage out. Have you ever considered that aspect?[/QUOTE]

    Completely agree.

    The first source is the artist then the recording engineer then the media, lp, tape , cd and FM......
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2009
    Barefoot wrote: »
    I believe the source should sound as neutral as possible. Let the amp and/or speakers determine the tonality.

    Ideally, every part of the chain should be neutral, so you can hear what was intended, not something that has been distorted by a component in the path. The generic phrase for a hi-fi system used to be "a wire with gain", but we all now know that wires also distort the signal in some manner.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited February 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Ideally, every part of the chain should be neutral, so you can hear what was intended, not something that has been distorted by a component in the path. The generic phrase for a hi-fi system used to be "a wire with gain", but we all now know that wires also distort the signal in some manner.

    Makes perfect sense. Everything distorts to some extent. The question may be is the distortion audible or not.
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited February 2009
    Quad 99CD-P/2 CDP (Solid State).

    Mentioned in this thread.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44125&highlight=quad

    Carl (schwarcw) has it now.

    Higher than your used specified budget. No affil with this one, there are more.
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1240509090&/Quad-99-CDP-2-CD-Player
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2009
    bikezappa wrote: »
    Makes perfect sense. Everything distorts to some extent. The question may be is the distortion audible or not.

    Or, whether you like the distortion. This is why you hear things like "it sounds warm", "it's laid back", "it's harsh", etc. etc.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2009
    Norm Apter wrote: »
    Thanks for your response.

    I'm intrigued... and was wondering if you could elaborate a little more on what you preferred about the Music Hall CDP over the Jolida JD-100. If that takes you too far into esoteric terminology, then I still have one other question for you:

    Have you owned or heard the LSi series speakers? If so, I'm just wondering if you feel that your system is laid back in the same way that most people talk about LSi speakers being laid back. When you had the Jolida in, was it a matter of things not sounding lively enough???

    Feel free to address these kinds of questions in any way you see fit...as mentioned above, sometimes its hard to convey the differences in words.

    I remember auditioning a pair of LSi-15s against a more expensive pair of Focal Utopias. The Focals produced a more forward, holographic 3-D sound. Polk ring radiators seemed to hold back the sound--warmer yes but not as dynamic? Just my two cents.

    Polks probably needed a LOT more POWER than the Focals, I suspect!
    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2009
    IMO, it's the crossover that holds them back, not the tweeter.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited February 2009
    Do what the rest of us did when first starting out. Understand the worth of an audio forum and then realize that all the opinions given are just that and most of them are not even founded on listening experiences but taken from what people have read or 'heard about'.

    You'll be a lot further ahead when you figure that out and you'll build a better system, you'll likely stop upgrading as much having heard wtih your own ears what certain components sound like. Everything else is an opinion and that and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee or maybe a bus ticket.
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    tcrossma wrote: »
    I don't want to sway you from the 3910, because it is a fantastic player. But that's what I have now, and for whatever it's worth my next upgrade will be to a dedicated CD player as I'm currently of the opinion that a universal player can only take you so far in the world of 2-channel madness.

    I was considering the 3910 for a while, but I think I've basically ruled it out. I've got a different plan now. I think what I'm going to do is get one of the Oppo universal players to use in my 2 ch. rig temporarily. It's not the greatest, but I'll be able to use it afterward anyway as a DVD player when I set up a bedroom rig. I could always sell it to help fund a CDP as well. For their price point, it's hard to beat the quality. I've heard a lot of good things about the Oppo's.

    It'll be a temporary CDP in my 2 ch. rig with my Fisher 332, until I get it more or less setup with the amp and pre that I want. After the pre and the amp have been purchased I'm going to start saving up for a nicer SACD player somewhere in the 700-900 range. Right now the one that I'm considering is the Marantz SA-8003 SACD player...It looks like a very solid player, and I've heard a ton of praise for it. It fits nicely into that price point too, going for about 750 or so.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited February 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    Polks probably needed a LOT more POWER than the Focals, I suspect!
    Face, I believe that he's correct. The Focal's I have are 8 ohm whilst the Polk's are 4. If I'm not mistaken, the sensitivity is a tad higher on the Focal's as well. Add to that the fact that the pure Beryllium tweeter is just so revealing and you have a sense of the Polks being power hungry in comparison.
    LuSh wrote: »
    .......and then realize that all the opinions given are just that and most of them are not even founded on listening experiences but taken from what people have read or 'heard about'.........
    I don't know about that on this forum.

    Sorry for the derail. Now back to our regularly scheduled program folks......
    ~ 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. ~
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited February 2009
    I was considering the 3910 for a while, but I think I've basically ruled it out. I've got a different plan now. I think what I'm going to do is get one of the Oppo universal players to use in my 2 ch. rig temporarily. It's not the greatest, but I'll be able to use it afterward anyway as a DVD player when I set up a bedroom rig. I could always sell it to help fund a CDP as well. For their price point, it's hard to beat the quality. I've heard a lot of good things about the Oppo's.

    It'll be a temporary CDP in my 2 ch. rig with my Fisher 332, until I get it more or less setup with the amp and pre that I want. After the pre and the amp have been purchased I'm going to start saving up for a nicer SACD player somewhere in the 700-900 range. Right now the one that I'm considering is the Marantz SA-8003 SACD player...It looks like a very solid player, and I've heard a ton of praise for it. It fits nicely into that price point too, going for about 750 or so.


    Save your money by not buying the Oppo and get a dedicated CDP. I'm talking from experience here. I had an Oppo paired with a $4000 DAC and it just did not get me THERE. What got me THERE was getting a Raysonic CD 168 tubed CDP. This is in my two channel rig.

    I do however have that same Oppo model as a source for the HT rig.
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    Save your money by not buying the Oppo and get a dedicated CDP. I'm talking from experience here. I had an Oppo paired with a $4000 DAC and it just did not get me THERE. What got me THERE was getting a Raysonic CD 168 tubed CDP. This is in my two channel rig.

    I do however have that same Oppo model as a source for the HT rig.

    That's what I keep thinking that I really should do...It'd save me a couple hundred bucks in the long run. I'd have to have my Cambridge hooked up to both the 2ch. rig and the HT setup though if I went that route. Would there be any reason I shouldn't do that? I'd have it hooked up to my Onkyo AVR with a coax audio cable, and to the two channel with the analog outputs. I would assume that'd work fine, any reason it wouldn't? Obviously I wouldn't be using them both at the same time...lol
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited February 2009
    That's what I keep thinking that I really should do...It'd save me a couple hundred bucks in the long run. I'd have to have my Cambridge hooked up to both the 2ch. rig and the HT setup though if I went that route. Would there be any reason I shouldn't do that? I'd have it hooked up to my Onkyo AVR with a coax audio cable, and to the two channel with the analog outputs. I would assume that'd work fine, any reason it wouldn't? Obviously I wouldn't be using them both at the same time...lol

    I use my Denon 3910 in that fashion right now. Analog out to my preamp when in 2-channel, and digital coax out to my receiver when in HT. It works just fine.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited February 2009
    The Cambridge has a good dac in it and it has SACD. You are fine with that piece for awhile until you can afford to go way up the audio chain. You should get everything else you need now and worry about a stand alone cdp later. For what I sold that to you for you should be very happy with the "jump" you got from that.
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    daboyz wrote: »
    The Cambridge has a good dac in it and it has SACD. You are fine with that piece for awhile until you can afford to go way up the audio chain. You should get everything else you need now and worry about a stand alone cdp later. For what I sold that to you for you should be very happy with the "jump" you got from that.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm still very happy with the improvement that the Cambridge made, especially for the price you gave me. The sound quality from it is leaps and bounds better than what I was using before. It's going to spend a whole lot of time in my HT setup before it gets upgraded again. Thanks again Dave.:)

    In either case, I'm planning on picking up the speakers for my HT setup, and getting a pre-amp and power amp to get the 2 ch. rig going before anything else. I'm just trying to figure out which direction I want to take as far as the CDP for the 2 ch. goes. A dedicated CDP probably won't be coming around until next year though, so I've still got some time to decide on one.

    Now that I've thought about it some more though, what I'll likely end up doing is connecting the Cambridge to both of them for the time being. I'll just run a coax from it to the Onkyo, and the analog outs to the 2 ch. rig. I'll just do that until I can afford to get a better stand alone CDP that's going to work for me.

    I don't want to spend the extra money on another universal player, when I could just put it towards the pre and the amp that I want.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2009
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Quad 99CD-P/2 CDP (Solid State).

    Mentioned in this thread.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44125&highlight=quad

    Carl (schwarcw) has it now.

    Higher than your used specified budget. No affil with this one, there are more.
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1240509090&/Quad-99-CDP-2-CD-Player

    Hey Rich,

    Nice looking player. I went back and read the thread, but I'm wondering if in the mean time either you or Normanality (great user name, btw:)) got a chance to use it with SS gear.

    Made in the UK, right?...like Rega.

    The budget is somewhat flexible...but unfortunately its a budget for some time in the near future (need to get my hands on my tax return first:D)
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited February 2009
    Face wrote: »
    IMO, it's the crossover that holds them back, not the tweeter.


    The crossover can be changed (by someone who knows what they are doing), right?, though of course voiding the warranty.

    Just out of curiousity ...and I'm sure that there are threads on this somewhere...but I'm wondering if you or others have had the chance to hear modded Lsi9s (or 7s).

    Probably opening a can of worms here, but I'm just curious...its not like I would plan on doing it or anything.
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2009
    I've heard(and modded) LSi9's and a LSiC and can tell you that they do sound much more open and dynamic with better caps. I should be getting my hands on a pair of LSi15's soon too.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited February 2009
    but I'm wondering if in the mean time either you or Normanality got a chance to use it with SS gear.

    No, all tube and just tube pre. Carl has it in an all SS system, but I cannot recall the components. In his system, he felt it needed a tube buffer. I'll ask to see if he wishes to explain why.:p:D
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *