CDP/SACD Choice @ around 2k

beardog03

If you had 2k to 2.5k to purchase a new or used CDP, what would your choices be between these players...and why ?

I tried to make it a poll, but cannot figure out how to do it..:rolleyes:

These are my curent choices/selections;

Cary Audio 303/300 (used)
Music Fidelity A5.5 (used)
Musical Fidelity A1008CD (new)
Jolida jd-100 w/level 2 mod (new)
BAT VKD5se (used)


If you have other options, please fill in the blanks

I would like to get a SACD player, but the one I want is 8k new, and 4k used (Cary 306 pro), and out of range at the moment !!

Or maybe the MF kw SACD Player....also out of reach !

Whatever I get has to marry well with my other Cary Gear..(amp and pre)

I need to go to a new level in CD playback, as I am going to sell my MD-102 to finance this and my retubing of the V12 amp.


SO, whaadaya think ?!!

Face

Marantz SA-15S2.

Nice warm, full sound
SACD
Digital input for Squeezebox/Music Server
Solid construction

beardog03

sorry for the double post...I was trying to make my first poll !!

Thanks Face....I hadn`t thought of this one !

polkatese

Here is one to consider Robert:

http://modwright.com/modifications/7

I believed in tube-modded SACD player, I have one from APLHifi from several years ago. I spoke with Dan Wright back then, and from what I heard, he is an outstanding gent who always stand behind his products. Have fun shopping!

BlueFox

I was going to suggest the Sony XA-5400ES SACD/CD at $1299 list, but the ModWright price is another $1995.

Of course, they do say "This is THE BEST sounding CD/SACD modified player that ModWright has produced to date"

http://www.modwright.com/modifications/15

tonyb

Thought I saw a KW sacd player on the gon for 2200. If thats what you really want. Hell,I could live with any MF cdp.

beardog03

I forgot about this one..


http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Njoe-Tjoeb-4000-with-SuperTubeClock_p_13.html

Ton,
That is the one I was considering..

Thanks for the responses guys...
I was thinking about the Modwright also, but wasn`t sure.

I would like to get into SACD, but want a CDP that will make it to the next upgrade in a few years...if ever !!
I have heard the Modwright mods are some of the best, but both of those are $3500 at least

schwarcw

polkatese wrote: »

Here is one to consider Robert:

http://modwright.com/modifications/7

I believed in tube-modded SACD player, I have one from APLHifi from several years ago. I spoke with Dan Wright back then, and from what I heard, he is an outstanding gent who always stand behind his products. Have fun shopping!

Right on Frances! I have the Modwright Sony 999 with the Platinum Truth mods (ByBees, etc). I really enjoy this player above any other that I have. I enjoy using the Tung Sol 5687s. I have used the Bendix 6900's also, which are a touch too analytical for me. I found the Tung Sols to be a little warmer. Great player! Several Forum members own the Modwright 9100. I enjoy this player also.

BlueFox

Simply for CDs, another alternative in the $2K range is the Bryston BDA-1 DAC at $1999. Use your current CD player as the transport.

http://bryston.com/bda1_m.html

beardog03

so with the Bryston DAC, it wouldn`t matter what cdp I use with it ?

They would all pretty much sound the same ?

BlueFox

beardog03 wrote: »

so with the Bryston DAC, it wouldn`t matter what cdp I use with it ?

They would all pretty much sound the same ?

Yes and no. The DAC probably is responsible for the overall sound quality, but you can get into the "discussion" that transport 'x' sounds better than transport 'y' due to less jitter, but the Bryston is supposed to do a good job of jitter elimination/reduction. Also, you will need a decent SPDIF cable between the CD and DAC.

I upgraded my Benchmark DAC1 to the Bryston and noticed an improvement in sound quality. I am using the Sony XA-5400ES as the transport. After I added brass vibration footers to the Sony there also was a noticable sound improvement.

beardog03

Do you think that the Jolida tubed CDP would work well with this DAC ?

I also have heard very good things about the Benchmark DAC in previous discussions here on the board.....it was probably , at least last year !

We have had many of these types of discussions, some got rather heated !!, and I was curious back then, bu tI am now seriously planning on an upgrade so I want everybodies help.

The other option is to wait untill I have the coin for the Cary 306 (preferably the pro version) and that could be at least another 6 months or better....not that I am in that big ofa hurry, but....

BlueFox

beardog03 wrote: »

Do you think that the Jolida tubed CDP would work well with this DAC ?

I have no idea, to be honest. If it has a digital output then that is all that is needed.

Systems

beardog03 wrote: »

Do you think that the Jolida tubed CDP would work well with this DAC ?

Yes but don't forget that the tubed analog section of the CDP will be bypassed when using the DAC.As BF mentioned the Bryston's jitter reduction is such that it should "play nice" with most any transport.

beardog03

Thanks for the help !

It has definately opened up another possability

shack

I would seriously consider the Sony SCD-XA5400ES. Sony does SACD very well and this is said to maybe be Sony's best SACD player ever.

SCompRacer

schwarcw wrote: »

....Great player! Several Forum members own the Modwright 9100. I enjoy this player also.

I have a Platinum Level ModWright 9100ES. High current, low distortion Class A tube design. Another pair of great tubes and currently residing in mine are Sylvania 5687GB's (Gold Brand). They are a slightly warmer tube compared to the Tung Sol's. If you want to use my 6900's in the Sony, I put the Sylvania's in my ModWright SWLP pre amp.

danz1906

shack wrote: »

I would seriously consider the Sony SCD-XA5400ES. Sony does SACD very well and this is said to maybe be Sony's best SACD player ever.

Agreed,also a used Marantz Sa-11S2:)

Ern Dog

I'm also looking to upgrade my Bada to a nice reference cd/SACD player, so this thread is helpful.

My experience says to go with your heart's desire- it sounds like that is the Cary 306 pro. I'd save up for the 6 months and go all out.

Systems

The one in my sig modded by Modwright or Bill Thalmann. Or the Marantz SA11S2.

Ricardo

Nothing wrong with the Marantz SA11-S1.

Any Denon or Sony modded by Matt at sacdmods.com

TroyD

I have the SCD-555ES modded by Matt at sacdmods.com.....pick up a 555ES and send it to him. You will NOT be disappointed.

Honestly, I'd stay away from the MF stuff. Not for sound but for reliability/service issues.

BDT

beardog03

thanks for all the help

Phil Dawson

Check out a Lexicon RT-20. Now discontinued but they were 5K new. They can be had for about 1k +- now. It is a universal player CD, SACD, DVD-V, DVD-A, etc. This is and incredible player and you'll have money left over for a good blu-ray player or whatever. At least check out some of the reviews on the lexicon.
Good Luck, Phil

SRS-SDA Front
2 cs400i Center
SRS-SDA Rear
Shure 12in sub
B&K ref 10 pre-pro upgr to ref 50
Techniques 1200 TT
Mac MR71 Tuna
Lexicon rt-20 uni player
HK citation pre for TT
2 PSE Studio Mono Blocks
4 PSE Studio Stereo Amps
1 Mac 2100 Amp for sub

reeltrouble1

get an Esoteric, maybe an SA-60 in the used market......just do not settle Robert.....your better than that.

RT1

dkg999

I have the Jolida 100 CDP and I thought it's tubed analog output sounded better than using it's digital out with several different DAC's, including the Channel Islands and the PS Audio DL3.

I would go for an SACD player if that format interests you. SComp's Modwright sounds fantastic. I've heard the Esoteric players and they are fantastic.

vc69

I'm curious what makes the players so damn expensive. Am I wrong in guessing that it is the nature of a product that has a narrow band target consumer? Is it the fact that they cannot be mass-produced and are more or less hand crafted? I get that the build quality and such is better but holy crap!:(

I want to find that magical player too, but I can't even afford to look at players in the 2k range. At least not today.

I am considering the SE upgrade to my -83 which would mean I have ~850 in my player. Would I be better off pursuing a separate UDP?

You guys kill me!

reeltrouble1

vc69 wrote: »

You guys kill me!

yea, but first we ensure you go to your grave so broke your stuffed cross-legged into a Bose 321 box.........

its what we do

RT1

vc69

But I will surely have a smile on my face.

And thanks a lot by the way.

beardog03

I had my sights set on the cary 306 Pro, but that`s alot of coin

The Jolida does a good job, but I know I can do better !

reeltrouble1

well you have kinda been Cary guy for as long as I can remember.........somehow I have a feeling that nothing but that player is going to satisfy your curiosity.

RT1