Best single box cd player - any recommendations

jtein said:

But I'm pretty familiar with the rest of my system (you can look 'em up in my profile). After comparing notes, I feel that the 808.3 would fit into my system nicely. I've heard dCS Puccini (without the U-Clock) once in a dealer's showroom, partnered with Goldmund amp and Sonus Faber Cremona M. Vocals sounded rather dry and thin. As for XDS1, the cost is prohibitive. So the Meridian is the best bet.

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asiufy said:

jtein,

The "dry and thin" you've heard on the DCS was likely coming from that Goldmund amp there. I've heard a pair of Goldmund monoblocks make an otherwise wonderful setup (Evolution MM3, Dartzeel pre, DCS Puccini w/ clock) sound just like that, dry and thin, with no body or punch.

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asiufy said:

Or any other amp that's not a Goldmund
I've heard mine with Krell, MBL, VTL, Electrocompaniet, etc., and I know that "dry and thin" is not its sound. With every change of amp, the overall result changed accordingly, which shows how the players is hardly imposing any "sound" of its own.

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microstrip said:

Just listening to a Nagra CDP - wonderful player. Very precise and detailed, with a focused sound. Not as enveloping as my ARC CD8, but really good with voices and instrumental music.

BTW, I was yesterday at a long listening session using a Metronome Kalista Ultimate plus the the matching C2-A Signature tube DAC. I hate to recognize this setup was much better than anything else at decent prices. And here I give a (small ) point to some digital fans - IMHO RedBook played through this system was far better than any HiRez I have ever listened.

Next Tuesday I am promised an interesting face to face - the Continuum Criterion versus the Kalista + C2-A.

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NorthStar said:

I am very anxious to read your impressions after you'll do some serious listening from it. :b
Please share them with us (here, or start a brand new thread).

Bests,
Bob

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jtein said:

Hi Bob, I've posted my impressions in a new thread under "Meridian" section.

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thedudeabides said:

Cary 306 SACD CDP.

Upsampling options in the analogue and digital domain to fine tune the sound. Digital coax input. Very well built and very musical.

GG

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joeinid said:

Anyone have any experience with Abbingdon Music Research cd players and DAC's?

http://www.amr-audio.co.uk/html/product_list.html

They get great reviews.

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triode said:

See my post earlier in this thread - at $10K, the AMR CD-77.1 is a must-listen!

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Audioseduction said:

Due to computer based music servers all CD players/transports are soon to be consider relics IMHO. If I were you I would dump the silver spinner machine ASAP before the bottom drops out. I sold my Esoteric about 6 months ago and never looked back. My music server outperformed the CD player thats why I let it go.

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