Sub $2k player recommendations please

JLM · « **on:** 22 Jan 2005, 04:32 pm »

I've given up on finding a dummy friendly audiophile audio PC solution in the near future and on cheap stock or modded players to go in my dedicated listening room. So I'm shopping for a good player with these qualifications (no particular order) in the next 3 - 4 months for an audio only system:

Minimal digital artifacts
Tube like presence without excessive warmth
Resolution of details
Flat 20 - 20,000 Hz response (no rolled off extremes)
Proper imaging/soundstage
Good build quality
Recommendations from hobbists and professionals that I'm familiar with
Any mods do not void warrantee
Available mods a plus
Price around/under $2000 USD
Simplier the better
HDCD/SACD/DVDa a plus
Convenience a plus

Possible contenders:

Denon 2900/2910
Denon 2900 modded by various vendors
Denon 3910
Denon 3910 as modded by various vendors
Eastern Electric MiniMax CD
Eastern Electric MiniMax CD as modded by Parts Connextion
Music Hall Maverick
Music Hall Maverick as modded by Parts Connextion
Shanling SP-80
Shanling SP-80 as modded by Parts Connextion
Shanling T-100

Sony S7700 modded for transport use with dAck! v.2 (already have the S7700)

The rest of the system will include my Bob Brines FTA-2000 speakers (mass loaded transmission line floorstanders with Fostex F200A full range driver, an easy 90 dB/w/m load, 8 ohms, 30 - 20,000 Hz) and probably a Clari-T 6 wpc digital amp (unless Vinnie can build a more powerful one, please?).

Hopefully underwoodwally finds this thread and can chime in as he offers nearly all of these players, but I'd like input from all of you, thanks.

rosconey · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 04:55 pm »

you might want to look at the new one at av123-

the cd-1-
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=27.1

its ba rebadged german cd with a 3900$ list

tybee · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 07:48 pm »

I recommend you contact Bill O'Connell for an audition of the EE Mini Max CDP.

Still own one and loving the sound of my all EE system.

My $.02

zane9 · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Jan 2005, 08:34 pm »

You could also add to the list:

Njoe Tjoeb 4000

Shanling CD-S100 MkII

Exposure 2010

J.

TIC · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 03:17 am »

Jeff,

I really like my Quad 99 CDP. It is very good for its $1495 list price. It is redbook only though.

It is especially good running CD direct using its variable volume control. I run it this way in my system and when I took it to my buddy's place, it was better direct than it was using his $4000 tube pre-amp.

If you have a CD only system, this thing is a near "no-brainer". It has only been surpassed by the Resolution Audio Opus 21 in my system.

Oh yeah, Walter (UnderwoodWally) sells Quad too......

Also, where do you live in Michigan? I would love to hear your speakers sometime. If you live near Detroit and can wait til the "fest" in April, I could bring the Quad and the Channel Islands VMB-1s for a demo...

Enjoy,

TIC

John Casler · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 03:28 am »

Might want to look at the new Onkyo DV-SP1000.

It has been reported to sound better than just about anything out there. for around $1600.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=ONDVSP1000B&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=325900

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 09:45 am »

Thanks for the replies...

rosconey: don't know that company or player (2 strikes)

tybee: yes, have read lots of good stuff about the EEMMCD, thats why it was on my list

zane9: isn't the Njoe Tjoeb 4000 an older design & barely in this league?

zane9: how does the Shanling CD-S100 MkII fit into their line-up? Isn't the Music Hall Maverick the same thing as the CD-S100?

zane9: unfamiliar with the Exposure 2010 (3 strikes and it's out)

TIC: I'll add the Quad 99 to my list (we used to have a dealer in Ann Arbor)

TIC: What "fest" in April? (I live near Lansing, have considered the CIA VMB-1 monoblocks)

John: Don't know that player or Onkyo realibility, seems more HT oriented (2 strikes)

rosconey · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 10:45 am »

av123 are the guys who sell rocket speakers-these guys dont sell junk.
take a look at the forum over at av123 and see the comments on this player

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 11:53 am »

rosconey,

Thanks, I found my way into the AV123 forum (didn't know they had one). The Onyx CD-1 certainly appears to be a very well built player, do you have any personal experience with it?

rosconey · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 01:21 pm »

no experience with that unit-
the reputation of av123 is one of great service and quality products-i would have no problem buying from them-
they also have a x-88 cd player thats a rebadged music hall and its only 399$

guy who runs the place is a lunatic-did you see the weekend special ?

join the forum at av123 and ask a few questions-might be just what your looking for

i am very very happy with my shengya s10 for 425$ delivered when i bought it-its built as well as anything i've seen online and the sound is intoxicating and i can listen for 24hrs without any ear bleed.i just added a telefunkin tube and better power cord

zane9 · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 01:53 pm »

Quote from: JLM

Thanks for the replies...

Sorry, I didn't know we were at a baseball game. I forgot you are in the USA, so you may not be familiar with the Exposure line. The Shanling MkII was developed to outperform the Music Hall (again, may be only available in Canada).

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is auditioning. You have some great choices on your list. Enjoy!

J.

Carlman · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 02:33 pm »

Quote from: JLM

Minimal digital artifacts
Tube like presence without excessive warmth
Resolution of details
Flat 20 - 20,000 Hz response (no rolled off extremes)
Proper imaging/soundstage
Good build quality
Recommendatio ...

Man, it's too bad you gave up on the Audio PC... because it does what you've listed in spades.... even with a less-than-perfect soundcard. The setup is a bit daunting, though. I'm on week 2 of getting it right. At least I've found most of what will work for me.

I have compared the EEMM to Hantra's audio PC directly. It wasn't night and day overall. I was impressed at how well the EEMM did. If you add Herbie's grungebuster mat to that player, it sounds even smoother.

I haven't heard the others on your list. I agree with Zane that only you can decide. You are at the auditioning point. I would highly suggest you get as many of these players in your room as you can.

So, I'd recommend giving Bill a call and getting his player and some good tubes for it. I like the Russian Rocket Logo's from UpscaleAudio.com but Bill says there are some 'PQ' tubes that sound great also. It'll need 200 hours of burn-in if it's new. I wasn't wow'ed by this player until it was fully broken in and had good tubes in it.

Best of luck,
Carl

TIC · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 03:21 pm »

Jeff,

How did this one get past you? The AudioKarma Fest is in suburban Detroit in April.

http://audiokarma.org/ak2005/

Enjoy,

TIC

ratbbb2 · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 03:59 pm »

Not being all that knowlegible on many of the CDPs on your list I can only say that haven owned the Jolida and moving up to the EEMMCD I found it to be well worth the extra bucks . The fact that Bill is a pleaser to deal with makes it a even stronger candidate in my opinion. I love mine as it sounds as good as anything I've heard and is reasonably priced. I am looking into a seperate HT set up and have been recomended the Marantz 8400 which I hope to audition soon. I'll still keep my EE for audio. As had been mentioned prior try to contact Bill O’Connell at Morningstar Audio Imports, Inc. and see if he has a demo piece to offer.
ratbbb2

Hoots · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 04:41 pm »

I perceive the "two strikes" against the Onix CD-1 to actually be the opposite. The distributor AV123 is a leader in customer support (at least in this customer's opinion) and the player is of German MBL engineering which I perceive to be a well known and respected high-end (although expensive) brand. Onix is the master brand for Onix Rocket and Onix Ref speakers and "Onix England" electronics all sold through AV123 and part of the "MLS family" which is so popular on the internet for value and customer satisfaction....they have a board on audiocircle.

My questions relate to how the CD-1 competes with about $2k spent on:

#1. Denon 2900 modified by say ModWright - this would provide the advantage of video and HiRez audio over the CD-1 and I'm not sure if the CD-1 is better at CD than this option although lower priced.

#2. Perpetual Technogolies P3A DAC (modified by Empiracle Audio) and P1A with SOCS (speaker only correction software) from AV123. SOCS is the magic that I'm really interested in but only available for a limited number of speakers at the moment. I'm not a fan of all the extra boxes but I could run the DAC with my PC or current denon 2900 video/HiRez player.

#3. Sound vs other options

JLM · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Jan 2005, 06:30 pm »

Again, thanks for all the replies,

A quick check of Agon reveals lots of good choices available.

Yes, I need to start auditioning. Arranging concurrent A/B testing would be the tough part.

rosconey: the two strikes against the Onyx CD-1 was due mostly to my ignorance, I just don't frequent his site as most of the stuff there just isn't my thing. I didn't know that MBL and Onyx had a business connection. Seems like a very good value, but spending $1500 on a $3900 player is only a good deal if the $3900 player sounds good.

zane9: I'm barely in the USA (2 hour drive from Canada), so please don't hold it against me.

Having a hard time wrapping my arms around all the different Shanling player options available here.

carlman: I really am a computer dummy, so an audio PC seems unobtainable at this time. Underwoodwally carries the EEMMCD w/ & w/o mods, shanling w/ & w/o mods, maverick w/ & w/o mods, quad, and modded denon so seems like he'd be the place to start.

TIC: I rarely visit the Audio Karma site/forum or even the Detroit area audio club's monthly meetings. That weekend is one I have 4 - 5 kids in the house, so I usually don't leave them. Besides we're building a house and trying to get this one ready for sale. So it doesn't look like its going to make my calendar.

ratbbb2: certainly are lots of folks pulling for the EEMMCD and at $900 I can see why.

Hoots: again its mostly a matter of my ignorance that I haven't latched onto the Onyx CD-1 more, see message to rosconey above. I have many of the same questions you do. Seems like the universal players could be more oriented to video and HT sort of audio priorities. As I mentioned, I already have the Empirical Audio recommended transport, the Sony DVP-S7700, and could complete it nicely for under $2000 with the dAck! v.2 DAC and mods, but I have no one's experience to go on with this pairing. As mentioned, I'm a simplier the better kind of guy too. And as an audiophile, sound is the top priority over features, etc.

All in all, a good problem to have indeed!

thanks again to all for posting.

Ears · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Jan 2005, 04:05 pm »

Quote from: John Casler

Might want to look at the new Onkyo DV-SP1000.

It has been reported to sound better than just about anything out there. for around $1600.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=ONDVSP1000B&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=325900

The reports are right on and to pass up an audition with this player would imo....be a big mistake.

TIC · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Jul 2005, 02:55 am »

Jeff,

Did you ever buy a new CD player? What did you finally decide on for your digital playback?

Enjoy,

TIC