Best single box cd player - any recommendations

[MarinJim]

For the prices that Wadia charges, they should come with Black Gate caps and Vishay resistors.

Are you saying this because you have listened to many and most high end CDPs? And, have come to this conclusion based on experience, knowledge, unbiased A-B testing to determined that Wadia over charges for their products, compared to other manufactures? The Great Northern Sound Company Statement mod was $3k above the $15K for the Wadia S7i. So, if you have indeed listened to this player, what other CDP/DAC/Preamps do you feel offer a better cost to performance ratio? I should add I am saying this with a little wink.

 

[jtein]

Well, I've taken the plunge and just paid a deposit for a brand new Meridian 808.3. I'm feeling like a kid all over again.....yahooo!

 

[NorthStar]

Is that come at a fair exchange? ...Financial for Musical (auditory*) Pleasure. :b

* Auditory: Audio Territory.

 

[jtein]

Is that come at a fair exchange? ...Financial for Musical (auditive) Pleasure. :b

Huh?

 

[NorthStar]

Huh?

The Meridian 808.3 CD player; does it provide good sound for the buck? :b

 

[jtein]

The Meridian 808.3 CD player; does it provide good sound for the buck? :b

It hasn't arrived....will post a review in due course. But for that kind of money, it had better provide good sound for the buck!

 

[NorthStar]

So you bought it without listening to it first?

 

[joeinid]

So you bought it without listening to it first?

I buy a lot of gear without hearing it. I have been rarely disappointed, but some gear clearly provides more excitement than others.

Joe

 

[joeinid]

Well, I've taken the plunge and just paid a deposit for a brand new Meridian 808.3. I'm feeling like a kid all over again.....yahooo!

Congratulations jtein,

This is one player on my short list, partly because it interfaces so well with the Sooloos system. Please keep us updated and please post a photo when you get it. Thanks!

Joe

 

[NorthStar]

I buy a lot of gear without hearing it. I have been rarely disappointed, but some gear clearly provides more excitement than others.

Joe

Hi Joe! :b

But what about components' synergy (matching)?

Bob

 

[MarinJim]

The Meridian 808.3 CD player; does it provide good sound for the buck? :b

I had the Meridian 808.3 for 3 weeks in my system. IMHO, it is not in the same league as a STOCK Wadia S7i. Please understand, this is only mine, and a fellow Burmester system owner opinion. Maybe with more revealing speakers than Venture or Wilson Benesch? There was not enough of an emotional connection with the 808.3. It lacked impact, slam and most of all sounded too soft, yet oddly, it did have enough detail and resolution. Maybe my ears are too blame.

 

[joeinid]

Hi Joe! :b

But what about components' synergy (matching)?

Bob

Hi Bob,

I certainly believe the first and foremost synergy link is between amp and preamp. The rest, I think it all depends.

Joe

 

[NorthStar]

I had the Meridian 808.3 for 3 weeks in my system. IMHO, it is not in the same league as a STOCK Wadia S7i. Please understand, this is only mine, and a fellow Burmester system owner opinion. Maybe with more revealing speakers than Venture or Wilson Benesch? There was not enough of an emotional connection with the 808.3. It lacked impact, slam and most of all sounded too soft, yet oddly, it did have enough detail and resolution. Maybe my ears are too blame.

But then, they are the musical window to your soul. :b

Thanx Jim for your own personal & honest feedback.

 

[jtein]

So you bought it without listening to it first?

Yep....there isn't any way to audition one in my country.

 

[NorthStar]

Hi Bob,

I certainly believe the first and foremost synergy link is between amp and preamp. The rest, I think it all depends.

Joe

Hi Joe,

The playback source device and the loudspeakers (mechanical reproducers and crossovers). :b
...I truly believe.
And the interconnects for sure as well. And lest not forget the speaker's cables.

Bests to you,
Bob

 

[NorthStar]

Yep....there isn't any way to audition one in my country.

I see.

 

[joeinid]

Hi Joe,

The playback source device and the loudspeakers (mechanical reproducers and crossovers). :b
...I truly believe.
And the interconnects for sure as well. And lest not forget the speaker's cables.

Bests to you,
Bob

Hi Bob,

All good points. I guess no matter what, when it sounds right, there is synergy. Maybe I should pay more attention to the whole playback chain.

 

[jtein]

I see.

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.

 

[NorthStar]

Hi Bob,

All good points. I guess no matter what, when it sounds right, there is synergy. Maybe I should pay more attention to the whole playback chain.

Same here Joe. :b

 

[jtein]

Congratulations jtein,

This is one player on my short list, partly because it interfaces so well with the Sooloos system. Please keep us updated and please post a photo when you get it. Thanks!

Joe

Thanks Joe. Will be sure to post a short review. For now, it's an agonising 2 weeks' wait. But my dealer has very kindly loaned me a Vimak DT-600 cdp. I was surprised by its wonderful soundstaging and timbre faithfulness....better than my Esoteric X-03 SE.