CD Player Recommendations

groovybassist · « **on:** 4 May 2008, 06:28 am »

I'm starting to think about upgrading my rig, starting with my CD player. I'm currently using a Naim CD5i, with a Nait5i for amplification. I plan to start with the source and see what direction that takes me. I'm open to anything in the $1500-$3500 range and am interested in recommendations, and specific experience with a product if you have it (i.e. reliability, sound, etc.). I'd prefer integrated vs. two-box solutions - I'm a simple guy. Things I'm considering include:

Naim CD5X
Ayre CX-7e
Rega Saturn
Primare CD31
Exposure 3010S
Creek Destiny

Any experience with these or other ideas? Thanks!

-Mike

P.S. Speakers are SP Tech Timepiece Mini's if that helps.

denjo · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 May 2008, 07:47 am »

If I were in your shoes, I would seriously include the Regas in my list!

I own an Altmann DAC and use this as a reference to compare. When I listened to the Rega Saturn at a dealer's showroom (I was auditioning for speakers), I was truly impressed with this standalone CDP and wondered if my two piece setup (with extra cables, power cords) was really much better than the Rega! This wa show good I thought the Regas were! Very impressive!

Double Ugly · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 May 2008, 08:26 am »

Quote from: groovybassist on 4 May 2008, 06:28 am

P.S. Speakers are SP Tech Timepiece Mini's if that helps.

Yes, it does.

Unless you are completely averse to the idea of computerized storage and playback of music, I suggest you go the route I, Bigfish, ted_b, Frank S. and other SP Tech owners have gone - the ModWright Transporter.

It'll tip the top of your budget, but the results are worth it. You'll have a source deemed world-class by virtually everyone who's heard it, with the added tune-to-taste flexibility of tube rolling.

Yes, having your entire collection at your fingertips is nice, as are the many other features the Transporter and SqueezeCenter software afford, but they're merely icing on the cake. The real reward is the sonic purity Dan's Transporter offers, something you as an SP Tech owner are in a wonderfully advantageous position to avail yourself of.

It's worth the price of admission, Mike, even if the purchase means delaying another upgrade. Additionally, between the Minis and the ModWright Transporter, you'd be great position to properly analyze the other equipment in your system, as well as the components you choose to audition. Who knows, the Transporter may represent so great an improvement that you decide other upgrades aren't warranted.

That said, I understand Naim equipment has a very special synergy with other Naim components. If you decide to keep the Naim amp and are dead-set against a HDD-based source, you'll probably be well-served keeping things "in the family" so to speak.

richidoo · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 May 2008, 12:27 pm »

Ditto on the Altmann DAC. I doubt there is better value for $1200. Plus battery and charger, maybe 1400 altogether brand new. Use your current CD player as transport (it really doesn't matter, jitter is filtered out and data is reclocked in the DAC). It is not pretty but it small and can be hidden easily. The sound is sublime. Output stage is extremely robust, so no finicky component matching, no tubes to smooth out the already smooth non-oversampling tone, extended FR unlike many other NOS designs. The convenience of battery could not be easier. Plug a trickle charger into a switched outlet and flip it on once a month overnite.
Have fun with your auditions!
Rich

dhrab · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 May 2008, 02:01 pm »

How about a simple one box solution ... Consonance CD120 list $1100 available around $700 ...

Non -oversampling dac Ala Audio Note ... dacs aren't as big a problem as the filters after the dacs

Also has discrete J-Fet analog output with no opamps to cause problems ... no problems driving interconnects either

Has balanced and XLR analog outs ... not sure if XLRs are full diff ... haven't done all my homework yet

The lack of post dac filters and opamps should remove some of the criminals that are raising hell in our CD players

Easy enough to Goggle for reviews ... web site link only bring you to general page and then you need to search so I didn't post link

Here's some key points from their site

FROM CONDONANCE SITE ...

NoCD120 linear 16 bit 44.1kHz CD-player

Linear technology (applied to CDplayer):
-Non-oversampling, no digital filter
-J-FET/Transisters filter, no op-amp at all
-Passive I/V conversion In progression
-Short pass length, less number of parts

Now when everybody starts screaming it's only 16bit 44.1khz resolution ... just tell them that's all the info that is encoded on Red Book discs and the rest is manipulation

Not Sure if this helps

ATB Dave

doug s. · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 May 2008, 04:15 pm »

i would recommend saving cash instead of space, & go w/a two-box solution.

my modded art di/o dac plus cheap transport (used $80 denon 5-disc changer or used $250 audio alchemy acd pro w/pioneer stable-platter) is as good as multi-kilobuck single-box or dac/transport solutions i have compared... the zhaolu 2.5 dac is reputed to be even better than the modded di/o, but i wonder by how much. at $200, tho, the zhaolu is a good place to start, imo, as di/o's are nla & can only be found used... but, if you can find one, it should only cost ~$200-$400 for a modded di/o in good shape...

doug s.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 May 2008, 04:43 pm »

You could spent more..........a lot more..........and do considerably worse.

Jeff Day of 6 Moons writes.......

"Until you actually try it, itl'l seem ridiculous that you could get this kind of audio performance from what is essentially an inexpensive child's toy but it's the truth. A PS1 SCPH-1001 will hold you over in grand style until I get a chance to survey the latest crop of one-box players and other interesting digital devices for you. In fact, the PS1 is so good that it wouldn't surprise me at all if you never felt the need for something else. Really!"

He goes on to say.......

"You'll want to leave your PS1 on all the time and it will take it about a week to come up to its considerable performance potential. A cold Playstation merely sounds okay but after a week, you'll be treated to perhaps the best digital you've ever heard. The PS1 does a wonderful job with tone color and has a very analog quality that no other digital source I've yet heard can match. It really excels in the linearity of micro to macro dynamics much like the Miyabi 47 phono cartridge does."

Again, it must be emphasized that until you hear it for yourself, the above comments seem ludicrous and totally absurd. It is for that reason I hesitate to be specific in terms of my own experience. All I can say is if you turn it on and leave the power on, after a few days you’ll be floored by how good this thing (the SCPH 1001 version) really is.

I have a spare unit that is very clean and in mint condition. I'll let it go for $59 + shipping.

It includes:

- wireless remote control
- two game controllers
- AVI cable and PC

bummrush · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 May 2008, 05:33 pm »

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Re: CD Player Recommendations
« Reply #6 on: Today at 04:43:37 pm »
   Reply with quoteQuote

You could spent more..........a lot more..........and do considerably worse,Dont get me wrong , i like 6 Moons,but when stuff like above is written ,Just what does it even mean,mention the products it betters,not just the hi fi mumble jumbo,of spending more and doing less,back it up.

opnly bafld · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 May 2008, 05:43 pm »

Quote from: bummrush on 4 May 2008, 05:33 pm

Dont get me wrong , i like 6 Moons,but when stuff like above is written ,Just what does it even mean,mention the products it betters,not just the hi fi mumble jumbo,of spending more and doing less,back it up.

Either way, it is still just a reviewers opinion.

Lin

doorman · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 May 2008, 06:01 pm »

OTOH, $59 bucks ain't a lot assuming one is curious---!
Don

provny · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 May 2008, 06:43 pm »

First of all, what you have now is quite nice. I have a CD5i and think it's great, although when/if I have the extra money, I'll upgrade to a CD5X.

As for the Sony Playstation, I haven't heard it. However, in the April issue of Stereophile, John Marks, in his Fifth Element column, wanted to see if all the commotion about the Playstation was warranted-- and came away thinking it wasn't. His review (of the Playstation he tried out) was as negative as the 6Moons review was positive. (The review is available on line-- just do a search)

If, as others have suggested, you decide to use your computer as source, feeding an external DAC, one external DAC I've read good things about is the 47 Lab Shigaraki.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 May 2008, 08:02 pm »

The PS1 will not shine until it has been left on around the clock for a few days. Plug it in, turn it on and leave the power on. It will get quite warm. After about 5 days pop in a disc and listen. Failure to do that and I'll agree with all the naysayers.

Anything else is he said, she said, who shot John?

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 May 2008, 08:02 pm »

Quote from: groovybassist on 4 May 2008, 06:28 am

I'm starting to think about upgrading my rig, starting with my CD player. I'm currently using a Naim CD5i, with a Nait5i for amplification. I plan to start with the source and see what direction that takes me. I'm open to anything in the $1500-$3500 range and am interested in recommendations, and specific experience with a product if you have it (i.e. reliability, sound, etc.). I'd prefer integrated vs. two-box solutions - I'm a simple guy. Things I'm considering include:

Naim CD5X
Ayre CX-7e
Rega Saturn
Primare CD31
Exposure 3010S
Creek Destiny

Any experience with these or other ideas? Thanks!

-Mike

P.S. Speakers are SP Tech Timepiece Mini's if that helps.

I've tried numerous different sources with my Nait 5i (Altmann, 3 different Rega's, Ack 2.0, Talk Thunder) and I ended up with a Naim CD5. There is something that just gels when you use all Naim (through the DIN connectors). I would just move up the line if I were you. The CD5i is already an excellent player- I'd look for a used CDX2.

saisunil · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 May 2008, 08:07 pm »

I have often recommended Tube Research Labs modded Sony 900 player - I have one and I am waiting to receive the battery modded player. The discontinued unit, when new, used to sell for $1000, used ones goes for about $300 used. The mod is $700 (it may have gone up a few $s). Whether you are on budget or no budget - it is hard to beat this player. May be I should attend one of the NY Rave and people can do a source shoot out

Battery mod is another $700.

Cheers
Sunil.

groovybassist · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 May 2008, 10:26 pm »

Thanks everyone for your input.

I'm not quite ready for a hard-disk based solution yet, although I may be in 4-5 years. My wife and I will be building a new "retirement" home and that would probably be the right time to incorporate something like that and will give the technology lots of time to mature/develop.

I'll put some thought into all of this and let you know where I end up.

-Mike

Zero · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 May 2008, 11:34 pm »

For what its worth, I'm considering parting with my still relatively new Lector CDP 0.6 MK III (comes with herbie dampers, sovtek tubes, NOS mullards). I believe I also have an extra set of Jan Phillips tubes to throw in as well. It's a fantastic player. A solid review by David Abramson can be found here; http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/lector/cdp.html Not that this review is for the first variant.

If you or anyone else is interested, just shoot off a PM!