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Absolute Best CD Players Out There Under $12k ?

Ok, I'm looking to upgrade my CD Player. It's the last part of my uber-headphone system and I'm hoping to get the best player possible for under $12k used. I know that affords me alot of options, and I imagine I'll do some travelling and testing before I buy, but I wanted some opinions first. Right now, these are the main ones I'm considering:

*Reimyo CDP-777
*Linn Sondek CD12
*Naim CDS3/XPS2
*Wadia 270/27
*Wadia 861se w/Statement mod from GNSC
*Meridian 808
*EMM Labs Meitner CDSD/Dac6
*Esoteric DV-50 with full mods from Reference Audio Mods
*Classe Omega SACD

I'm not so much into characteristics - the overall performance is more important for me. But I do need a player with great bass (both in extension, detail, and volume) as my headphones are a bit bass shy. Any reviews/comparisons would be much appreciated.
no1willfan
judy426
228 posts
 
You have to take Norm's posts with a grain of salt. His latest acquisition, whether it be Vacuum Reference, Stealth Indra, H-Cat, Exemplar 3910, Exemplar 5910, Halcyonic, Cerious, ad. nauseum is always the greatest thing ever heard. Roll with the flow and wait for the next component. I am.
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
Anybody see the problem with a $8000 platform and a $3000 cd player?
whoopadeedoo
50 posts
 
No mention of Accuphase digital products?! Well, let me toss their name in the hat for your consideration.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
You have to take Norm's posts with a grain of salt. His latest acquisition, whether it be Vacuum Reference, Stealth Indra, H-Cat, Exemplar 3910, Exemplar 5910, Halcyonic, Cerious, ad. nauseum is always the greatest thing ever heard.
I have to agree, but Norm's enthusiasm sure is fun when you discount the hyperbole that comes as baggage.

I think any thread with "Whoopadeedoo" contributing is made more fun just by the inclusion of his username...

Has anyone compiled the list as it stands now? Must be getting pretty long.
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Whoopadeedoo, do you mean something like the Accuphase DP-77? Heard. . . looks great. . . and the sound. . . sure is different!
Judy, feeling a touch acidulated today?
All, let us not knock Norm's Halcyionic active isolation platform quite yet. From the only thread discussing it on the Gon, it looks like it was born for and is mostly still use for mechanical isolation of laboratory equipment. See:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1112411577&read&keyw&zzhalcyonic
From what I can tell its manufacturer's claims are at least in principle quantifiable and verifiable. I may have to start selling lemonade on my driveway during weekends. . . perhaps some day I will be able to afford one of these creatures as well. . . and in case of earthquake I will climb on top of one for 'total protection'.
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