CD Player suggestions/recommendations!!!

[mdabb]

Well it's time to start thinking about a new(er) CD/SACD Player and wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts on something not exceeding $2000.

I would like the player to have balanced outputs. I may be able to squeeze out enough room for a separate transport & DAC combination in my entertainment center so if anybody knows of a great combo. Got enough crap in it already but what can you do. Also many CD/SACD Players are also DVD capable and that's OK too.

Used is OK but not too used because I'm thinking it's not such a great idea to take a chance on something that wears out over time. I'm hoping to get some feedback about what people themselves have/had. I'm open to suggestions so feel free to say what's on your mind.

Equipment the player will have to blend with:

ModWright Instruments LS36.5 (Tube preamp)
Pass Labs X150.5 (Solid State Amplifier)
Dali Helicon 800's (Tower Speakers)

Please keep in mind "mind blowing" DVD performance is not necessary because I have a PS3 and a Samsung BD-P1200 for watching movies. SQ is where it counts.

Thanks in advance to all!!!

[RUR]

Here's a couple for consideration:

Esoteric DV-50S http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....universal-cd/d
Modwright/Sony 9100ES http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....100es-Platinum (some negotiation required )

Lots of new stuff by Marantz, Oppo, NAD, Parasound et al, but it won't compete with the above.

[Big Daddy]

The most recent issue of Stereophile had a review of the CD 306 SACD Pro by Cary Audio. They were very enthusiastic about it. It may be too expensive. I don't remember the price. Here are other reviews of SACD players by Stereophile. http://www.stereophile.com/hirezplayers/

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The most recent issue of Stereophile had a review of the CD 306 SACD Pro by Cary Audio. They were very enthusiastic about it.

and rightly so, but retail is ~$7,500 IIRC. Even $3K used 7/10 on A-gon puts it out of the mdabb's desired price range.

[Big Daddy]

Other CD/SACD Recommendations

Tube SACD player, just under $2,000:
http://store.acousticsounds.com/brow...Title_ID=16587

Tube CD players (no SACD, low prices):
http://www.pacificvalve.us/cdplayers.html

Marantz is not a tube player, but is a good deal.
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/m...cd-player.html

[mdabb]

Thanks Guys !!! I will look into the suggestions. So far The modded Sony is in the lead because I have a ModWright LS36.5 and might be best to keep it in the family even if it's an extended family.

I still have a lot more research to do as well

[Big Daddy]

This is Sony's new high-end SACD player.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665537319

[Clark Kent]

Get a relatively cheap transport and pick up a Benchmark DAC, though that doesn't really solve your SACD playback.

[btf1980]

mdabb, I have no idea where you are, but if you are in the NYC area or close, you owe it to yourself to check out the Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD player at J&R, it's in your price range. It will do DSD direct via HDMI.

http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_SCDXA5400ES/

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by btf1980

mdabb, I have no idea where you are, but if you are in the NYC area or close, you owe it to yourself to check out the Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD player at J&R, it's in your price range. It will do DSD direct via HDMI.

http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_SCDXA5400ES/

I am about 7 hours away from NYC. I live almost equidistant in-between Youngstown, OH. and Pittsburgh, PA. It's about a half an hour drive either way.


just a little more info!!!

This player is strictly for my two channel setup and sending the signal via HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR875 wasn't in the plan. Even with the modest Yamaha player I use for now going through my ModWright pre and Pass Labs amp sounds like angels singing compared to the sound that comes out of the 875 when I listen to music through it. It's not the fault of the 875 and it is extremely capable in terms of audio quality for movies. In the end it's not a fair competition anyways.

I will check out your recommendation as best as I can. One of the features important to me is balanced outputs. Sony must make a nice player to begin with as the guy who makes my pre uses Sony to modify.



I appreciate all the help and I didn't anticipate this being a hard choice but I'm in no hurry unless my front running choice slips away from me.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by mdabb

This player is strictly for my two channel setup and sending the signal via HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR875 wasn't in the plan. Even with the modest Yamaha player I use for now going through my ModWright pre and Pass Labs amp sounds like angels singing compared to the sound that comes out of the 875 when I listen to music through it. It's not the fault of the 875 and it is extremely capable in terms of audio quality for movies. In the end it's not a fair competition anyways.

It doesn't do SACD, but given your 2 channel only requirement, you should probably check out the $1600 Cambridge Azur 640(?) CD player. Apparently, it's very good.