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APL 3910, Exemplar 3910, MF KW, Esoteric X-01?

I currently have Krell KPS-28c cd player ($8500). I am thinking about upgrading in the near future. Please help me decide which player – most important for me is “red book” format. The rest of my gears are Krell KCT pre-amp ($9000), Krell 400cx amp ($10500) and Wilson Audio Sophia ($11500). Following are possible players in random order:
Musical Fidelity KW SACD - $7,000.00
Krell CD/SACD – to be released soon (because of CAST) - $?
ESOTERIC X-01 SACD/CD - $13,00.00
APL 3910 - $5000.00
Exemplar 3910- $4000.00

Will I be down grading instead of upgrading with any of the above player?

Thanks in advance for your input
sd2005gt
teajay
1,333 posts
 
Sd2005gt, If you don't care about SACD, and want the best you can get from redbook, I would recommend you audtion the following ( they all fall $ in you budget range):1) Ensemble CDP $8000.00 2) Reimyo 777CDP $12000.00 3)Accustic Arts transport with the new DACl-MK3 DAC Total for both $11000.00 I just posted a review on the AA DAC that you might want to take a look at. I know you were seeking information on CDP, but the Accustic Arts gear is really world class for redbook CD and priced very fairly for its build quality and wonderful performance. Hope this helps.
711smilin
513 posts
 
My favorite player so far is the APL3910, but, thats out of your price range, so IMHO get a Modwright sony999, or 9000, or a Exemplar 2900. You will be amazed!!!!
henryhk
648 posts
 
Within your price range and 2 channel only, I would recommend also including the new Ayre 5x Universal player on your auditioning list. I tried it only briefly within an unfamiliar set up but seemed very good indeed though I still prefer my EMM gear. I am considering a 2nd system and planning on comparing the Ayre vs Esoteric vs dCs P8i (though the DCS is more exp than I really want to spend on in this system) when I get the time...unfortunately where I live the APL and other modded players are not available. Happy hunting!
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Smilin, why would APL 3910 not be in price range? I thought that even now with all the latest upgrades, like the AKM DAC board, price is c.ca 6K, which is less than most CDs mentioned in the original post.
sd2005gt OP
89 posts
 
Guidocorona,
Thanks so much for your input. I will be looking at the APL 3910 more closely.
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