Ayon CD2 is AMAZING

Afc- are you running the CD5 directly into amps or into a preamp? Have you compared both ways?

I am interested in this also. I am considering a CD-5 to replace my CD-2 and Shindo Aureiges MM. The CD-2 direct to amps was no match for Shindo/CD2
combo. I really like the CD2. I wish I could control the sibilance on decent recordings with the occasional hard hot spots (Wilco Summerteeth) Perhaps it is to much to expect a dac to overcome that in a recording or can the CD5 or MiniMax Dac accomplish that?

I use the CD5 with my preamp. Just like the sound a bit better. Part of the issue, I think, is some prejudice on my part- the gain on the CD5 preamp section is very linear, so you have to crank it up to get high volume. That's in contrast to the relatively non-linear gain on the EAR 868- or probably any preamp- where I don't go much past 10 o'clock before it's all I can stand. Having said that, I could easily live with the CD5 as a one box solution. The preamp section is nice. A little more dry/thin than the EAR. My original intention was to sell the EAR to finance the CD5. In fact, I had a buyer here in less than 24 hours, but he backed out. I'm glad he did, since I now have an analog rig, and the EAR has a great phono section, so I avoided having to drop more cash on a stand alone phono section. The CD5 is a significantly better sounding player than is the CD2 IMO. It's tough for me to ascertain much of a difference between the CD5 and the Clearaudio analog rig I currently run. The 5 just has more detail- bass is stronger, the high end more delicate, and the soundstage has a much fuller impression than does the CD2. Doug Schroeder's review on dagogo was pretty much spot on as far as I am concerned, but I don't know if I would go so far to say the CD5 preamp is as good as anything up to the cost of the 14K VAC Renaissance preamp. The EAR 868 is much less than that.....on the other hand, I know of some people who are very satisfied with the CD5 as a one box unit, and they've traded in some very high end preamps. Nobody really ever said that about the CD2. The biggest drawback to the CD5 as a preamp is that it has only one set of analog output jacks- so if you bi-amp, or run a sub off the preamp, as I do, you're looking at splitter cables to make things work, and that probably costs you something in terms of sonics. It has both XLR and RCA outs, but you can't use both at the same time- you have to choose which one you use via the toggle switch on the rear chassis.

Guys,

Not sure if you have discovered that the Dac phase switch should be lit red for better sound quality!

Wig

Thanks Afc, The CD-5 to my monoblocs and maybe add the Ayon server/player when they release it would be a nice quality minimalist set up.
I will have to get up to LA and have listen.
If Wig is correct about about the MiniMax DAC, I will save the 5K and keep my Shindo and CD-2.
I think I will take it slow and let the dust settle on the MiniMax.

I would definitely take it slow before dropping down 5K on outdated technology. The Minimax is that good and it does get better with tube rolling. Telefunken smoothplates didn't work well in my system, better focus, detail, imaging but the soundstage lacked in comparison to 5814A. I have some Mullards boxplates coming soon which are very musical tubes and should match well in my system. I have updated the fuse to a silverstar hi-fi fuse and JPS digital AC powercord. The level of detail, richness and imaging is fantastic with a deep soundstage. The CD2 is great player but it's even better with the EE. EE sound is much smoother and less fatiguing.