Beginning the hunt for a new source..

Zero · « **on:** 19 Oct 2007, 07:20 pm »

While I've gone through what can only be rationally called an unhealthy amount of electronics over the past few years, the one thing that has alluded me, turn tables aside, has been CD players. Sure, I've owned a few decent ones here and there, but out of all the individual components I bring in - for some reason, the CD player rarely gets more than a second glance. You could say, the PC has won me over for quite some time. Still, I look to jump back into the simplicity of your basic disc spinner. Sometime in the following two months, I intend to pull the trigger on an affordable unit. Y

ou could say, the type of sound I am going for is on the warmer side of neutral - not too colored, yet not too clean and mean. Given the extreme volume of electronics that come through these doors, the unit must be compatible with a large variety of components, no "one trick ponies". What I'm looking for is general comments/experiences/suggestions any of you audio circle brethren have to share. There are plenty of culminated experience in these parts, and any opinions on the following pieces are highly welcome;

Ayre CX7e
Naim CD5x
Raysonic 128
Lector CDP 0.6
Plinius CD-101
Bryston BCD-1
McIntosh MCD-201

DMF · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 07:32 pm »

I don't have any experience with the units you listed, but did you consider the Rega Apollo? It's on my short list. Can't beat the price and the reviews are excellent.

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/apollo.htm

Zero · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 07:55 pm »

DMF,

The Rega Apollo is a very solid budget piece. I had a chance to bring it, along with the Saturn home not long ago. They are good players with many strengths. That said, I was never won over by their character or presentation. The same can be said for the Cary CD-303, Musical Fidelity A3.5 and the A5, Marantz SA-11, and Jolida JD-100 (with mods). Note; I am not in any way suggesting that these players fall short on performance or quality... simply that given the circumstances, I felt there were other players of similar value that tickled my eardrums more to my liking.

jrebman · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 07:57 pm »

I don't know about the others in the group but the Ayre is going to be anything but warm. It is exceptionally transparent and detailed, but warm it is not.

Have you thought about an Audio Aero Capitole? Sounds like you'd like it.

-- Jim

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 08:06 pm »

We had a Rave back in Feb.'06....a few different cdp's....the NAIM CD5x did very well.

".....type of sound I am going for is on the warmer side of neutral - not too colored, yet not too clean and mean."

Thats what you'll hear with the NAIM.

Rave Link...

Randy · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 08:08 pm »

I recently purchased a Marantz SA-7. Got it because I wanted SACD. Should be in the $ ballpark of the Ayre, at least. It replaces a Levinson CD-39 and is an improvement over that ten year old model. FWIW, the Marantz has gotten excellent reviews.

saisunil · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 08:09 pm »

Give Paul a call at http://tuberesearchlabs.com/contactus.htm and leave a message if no one answers the call.

I have TRL modded Sony NV900 - you could spend some money for a battery mod and be done with it.
You may want to do research on audiogon, audiocircle and the net in general.

Some consider TRL modded players as among the best - digital has to off - all under $2000.
I have his amp, CD player and cables, I am waiting for the TRL Pre-amp.

Cheers
Sunil.

DMF · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 08:15 pm »

Quote from: Zero on 19 Oct 2007, 07:55 pm

DMF,

The Rega Apollo is a very solid budget piece. I had a chance to bring it, along with the Saturn home not long ago. They are good players with many strengths. That said, I was never won over by their character or presentation. The same can be said for the Cary CD-303, Musical Fidelity A3.5 and the A5, Marantz SA-11, and Jolida JD-100 (with mods). Note; I am not in any way suggesting that these players fall short on performance or quality... simply that given the circumstances, I felt there were other players of similar value that tickled my eardrums more to my liking.

That's an impressive list. I wish I lived in an area where I could demo some of the units you've listed. For the size of my area you would think we would have more than two decent dealers. The other players I've been wanting to hear are the Music Hall/Shanling tubed units. I noticed Elusive Disc has quite a few of them. They appear to be built like a tank.

TomS · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Oct 2007, 10:07 pm »

I would add Resolution Audio Opus 21 to that list, especially with the GNSC Reference mods. Very nice at the price. Tom

rhing · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Oct 2007, 12:46 am »

For $25 to $30 max., go to your nearest game store and purchase a mint condition Sony Playstation 1, Model SCPH-1001. This is the first generation grey box Playstation with the RCA audio output jacks on the rear of the chassis. Get some Isonode or 3M Bump On feet, a good IEC C7 connector shielded power cord like the PS Audio XStream Power Punch C7 power cord, good RCA interconect cables, and you will have a warm, analog-like CD playback system for less than $100. Many people have found these gems for $10 or less at their neighborhood game stores. Is it really that good. Well, Jeff Day of Six Moons uses one in his "Music Lover's System" and Michael Devore of Devore Fidelity uses one in his listening room at his speaker building shop. This is a great bargain with little risk of investment. My Onix XCD-88 (same as Music Hall CD25.1) is now sitting idle on the shelf.

Zero · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Oct 2007, 01:01 am »

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions so far folks!

Cincy_bob · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Oct 2007, 01:15 pm »

I recently bought the Doge 6 CD player from Pacific Valve. Like Raysonic, Jolida and Shanling, Doge is a Chinese brand that represents an exceptional value for the money. I understand that the Doge 6 is manufactured in the same facility that manufactures the Jolida line of electronics. The Doge 6 has been marketed for some time in Europe by Lua as the Lua Appassionato at a selling price equivalent to $5,000 USD.

I have been listening to the Doge 6 for over a week, and I am shocked by the sound quality. For kicks this past weekend, I did an A/B comparison of the Doge 6 against my EMM Labs SE separates. While the outcome was as you would expect, the Doge was not at all embarrassed. The contest was far closer than I could ever have imagined.

I have not had the personal opportunity to put the Doge 6 up against the Rega Saturn, the Raysonic, or the other "giant killers" in this under $2k price tier. However, based on what I heard, my money's on the Doge.

The Doge 6 uses a six-tube output stage (four 12AX7s, two 12AT7s) and leans slightly to the warm side of neutral. The component retails for $1,400. A set of upgraded tubes installed by Pacific Valve before the component is shipped will cost you another $100. Highly recommended.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Oct 2007, 02:02 pm »

Instead of buying a new CD player, have you considered going completely to PC or network based audio and adding a high quality DAC, maybe tube based? That's what I'm in the process of doing now. My CD player is dying, so I bought a Squeeze Box (just delivered) that I will use to feed my LiTe Audio DAC-62.

If you want something more higher up, the Slim Devices Transporter might be worth considering.

carusoracer · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Oct 2007, 02:59 pm »

Quote from: Cincy_bob on 23 Oct 2007, 01:15 pm

I recently bought the Doge 6 CD player from Pacific Valve. Like Raysonic, Jolida and Shanling, Doge is a Chinese brand that represents an exceptional value for the money. I understand that the Doge 6 is manufactured in the same facility that manufactures the Jolida line of electronics. The Doge 6 has been marketed for some time in Europe by Lua as the Lua Appassionato at a selling price equivalent to $5,000 USD.

I have been listening to the Doge 6 for over a week, and I am shocked by the sound quality. For kicks this past weekend, I did an A/B comparison of the Doge 6 against my EMM Labs SE separates. While the outcome was as you would expect, the Doge was not at all embarrassed. The contest was far closer than I could ever have imagined.

I have not had the personal opportunity to put the Doge 6 up against the Rega Saturn, the Raysonic, or the other "giant killers" in this under $2k price tier. However, based on what I heard, my money's on the Doge.

The Doge 6 uses a six-tube output stage (four 12AX7s, two 12AT7s) and leans slightly to the warm side of neutral. The component retails for $1,400. A set of upgraded tubes installed by Pacific Valve before the component is shipped will cost you another $100. Highly recommended.

Hey Cincy Bob,
Good to hear about the Doge products. I have had a wandering eye on them but did not know of anyone that has their stuff.
I would luv to hear the EMM labs combo sometime and the Doge vs my Shanling T200 w/Bendix Redbanks.
Drop me a line :thumb:I'm in Buckeye Country.

Back on topic the Ayre is not warm but it is very good. The Naim is top tapping fun. We could go one about each one. I think you can get the overall flavor of each piece that you want to audition but you will need to make the decision for yourself for the sound you are looking for.
Off the list I like the Blue Note from Stibbert.
Good luck.

Cincy_bob · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Oct 2007, 12:19 am »

Caruso, I sent you a PM.

Zero · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Feb 2008, 08:46 pm »

It's been a few months... and after toiling with this and that, I decided (for now) on the Lector. What a terrific player! Not a bad looker, either;

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Feb 2008, 04:23 am »

Very sharp looking, Zero - enjoy it

You still need a vinyl source, my man.....the sound of cash draining never ends

John

Zero · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Feb 2008, 04:34 am »

John,

Thanks.

As for vinyl; I love analog, but am in no rush to travel down that road! The one I'm on is taking up enough space/draining the funds as is.

One day though, oh yes...

carusoracer · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Feb 2008, 02:07 pm »

Congrats on your choice...How would you describe the sound of the Lector, I have not been able to hear one?

Zero · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Feb 2008, 06:05 pm »

Caruso,

David Abramson said it as good/better than I ever could about the Lector; http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/lector/cdp.html - Bear in mind the review covers the first version of the CDP 0.6.

Overall, I have found that its most salient attribute is in its very natural presentation that never calls attention to itself. It doesn't bombard you with an over-saturation of tone as many cd players that use a tube output stage do. By sharp contrast, its not a completely 'cut and dry' either. Thus far, I haven't found anything damning about the unit. A few quips would be a slight lack of dynamics and wall to wall sound staging compared to some other CD Player's I've played with recently (Musical Fidelity A5 / Ayre CX-7e). Otherwise, it delivers great performance in every area to appease both my audiophile appetite. What can I say? I'm smitten.