[cutcopypaste]

Hey, just wondering what CDP people would suggest around the $1000-1500 AUS mark. I'm looking to replace a Marantz CD63KI and a Me Sound 12 DAC. I heard a Shanling CD100 (which was too polite) however in the mix is The Consonance 120 Linear, Shaling CD 80 or the Ah Joeb 4000. I run a Promitheus TVC preamp which is extremely reavelling and as I found with the Shanling cannot be partnered with a player lacking presence and weight. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[MrCool78]

Hey, just wondering what CDP people would suggest around the $1000-1500 AUS mark. I'm looking to replace a Marantz CD63KI and a Me Sound 12 DAC. I heard a Shanling CD100 (which was too polite) however in the mix is The Consonance 120 Linear, Shaling CD 80 or the Ah Joeb 4000. I run a Promitheus TVC preamp which is extremely reavelling and as I found with the Shanling cannot be partnered with a player lacking presence and weight. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hei, cutcopypaste
I'm actually looking for CD player in your budget too, I've been searching for 3 months,this is a list that I want to demo them soon.
1) Arcam CD 73T this player is on sale in Australia under AU$900
2) Consonance CD 120 Linear $990 this is very good CD player, got good review
3) Rega Apollo AU$1500 this is also very good CD player, got good review
4) Creek Evo AU$1350 I have no idea about this coz this is new release

From reviews that i've read Consonance CD 120 Linear is really good cd player and good value too, but still listen is a must
Let me know if you've listen to all of those players

Cheers

[PaulHilgeman]

The Whole Arcam line is not bad.

I am not sure if Rotel is available down there, but their i think only single disc player is actually really good, especially for the price, though a touch dark sounding.

Never heard Consonance though

-Paul

[Imperial]

Onkyo DX - 7555. A lot cheaper, maybe good enough. It has only 1.5 picoseconds jitter. That's low!
Could do well as a digital drive as well.
Has garnered praise in the german audiomag "AUDIO".
As all moderately priced players, they benefit very much from placement on a resonance control shelf.

I second the Rega Apollo, if your budget will allow for it.
It has a big warm sound with a good dose of engaging detail, has a wolfson dac (those are great!).
This player has a slightly mellow top end, but is not lacking in detail.
As always from Rega, a long gestation of 3 years has evidently not been waisted.
The requisite presence of analogue punch is also there to a good aplomb.

Imperial

[mysticaldodo]

The Consonance cd players (think it was the 120 and 2.2 linear) had excellent reviews in Hi Fi+ mag. Very natural sounding.

The Cambridge Audio 840C could be another option though I have no idea how much it retails over there.

[JLM]

CDPs are so 80's.   Parts suppliers have followed the market and moved chip/drive/laser production from CD to DVD, etc., spelling the end for most sub $1,000 USD CDPs.  Most audiophiles in this price range are being forced into using cheap universal players as transports and adding a nice DAC.

For $300 you could get a wireless Squeeze Box that adds internet radio, a quality digital volume control, options for remote listening elsewhere in the house, and major convenience (once you've ripped).  If you're not PC savy or want your audio system to stand free of a PC (except for internet audio streaming), the Olive units are in your price range.  They add a CDP, hard drive, ease of use, and more convenience.  Either has sound quality beyond the asking price (considering too that you may want HD backups).

Both can be modded for even better sound, but all the mods I've found will reduce output from 2.0 v to 1.1 v (a definite consideration with a passive pre-amp).  And both have digital outputs so you can add your own DAC instead of modding.  Either way, you could have world class sound and save thousands.

I had a modded Squeeze Box 3, loved it when everything worked, but am not computer savy and am "hostage" to a family network that kept giving problems.  So I went back (yes I said back as in backwards) to a fully modded Ah! Tjoeb 4000.  The 4000 is plenty nice enough, but steps behind the SB3 in terms of sound quality, convenience, and features.  But I know that this is my last CDP.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Have a look at the burson audio website.  I'm presuming you live in australia and thought i might suggest using Ian Hibel who modifies cdp's using the burson components.  He is looking at importing the oppo dvd/sacd etc player and offering it with mods.

It should be better than the cdp's that you have on your list.

Regards

Rod

[LM]

cutcopypaste,

Are you interested in valve only or is SS an option?  I’m also from Oz and have been looking and listening a lot recently at my dealers for a decent CD player but am currently only looking at SS.  Also, have you listened to many so far as I have been quite surprised by some of the SQ differences and price and reviews have not proven an absolute guide?

As to SS options I’ve listened to, I personally favour (you may not) detail and an open soundstage so I really like the Arcam CD73 (about $900) and CD192 (even better but about $2K thus out of your range) players at this stage. I also quite liked the Creek Evo ($1350).  However was not so interested (based purely on personal taste), good though they are, in the Rega Apollo ($1500) or the Cambridge Audio 640C V2 ($850).  What I haven’t listened to yet is the locally made Redgum RGCD2 at about $1K but it reviews quite well.

What I have noted is that there is not really a lot of choice in the price range you quote.  Below $1K there is plenty including Rotel, Marantz and NAD models.  At around $2K or above are the CD192 mentioned above plus the Rega Saturn, CA 840C and various Primare, MF, YBA, Cyrus and Naim models to name a few.

[Midnite Mick]

I don't know if this thread has any interest but I have a/b 'd the Consonance cd120 linear with the Creek evo and found the cd120 to be way better.  I could listen to that cd player for hours and hours where as the Evo would give me fatigue in a short period of time.....still had significant digital edge.

Just my .02
Mike

[jackthecat]

Out of your price range I think but I bought the valve Raysonic CD128 recently and I couldnt be happier. Used to have Cambridge 640 . The Raysonic has so much detail and clarity and yet has all the warmth of presentation I was looking for. Reviews on 6moons. My ten cents.

[KCI-JohnP]

Have you taken a look at the Ah! Njoe Tjobe? I have had mine for a couple of years and enjoy it quite a bit. It's well within your price range at MSRP. Just another one to throw into the mix.

[prokennex]

What about this one for $1399. The Doge 6. It seems well built and 6 tubes in the output stage. I would be interested in hearing people's opinions about it, if anybody heard it.

http://pacificvalve.us/DOGE6.html

[PaulFolbrecht]

2nd the Raysonic 128 rec.

Call or write Stephen at Quest For Sound for a good price.

[michaelv]

Look at Arcam CD33 or CD36. There are some on audiogon.com now  if you're willing to buy used . I heard FMJ CD33 before and it was a great player.

[anubisgrau]

the best arcam is avondale modded A5, so called AAA5

it kills almost anything under $4k