Were to go after a Rega Planet 2000?


Hello,

I have a planet 2000 and enjoy its sound. I like its tone, PRAT, timber etc... but I want more of it. I find that the Rega lacks authority when playing. It still sounds like a CD player (and a CD player at that) but not live music. I want something that has the good qualities of the Rega, but just expands on them. I want a player to take control and give me music which leaves little to none to complain about.

I really like my friends Wadia, but I simply can't afford one.
I love the way it portrays the music.

My budget is $750-$1000 plus what ever I can sell me Rega for.

I have been suggested the Sony DVP-9000es. From what I have read it is reasonably priced and sounds good. But it's a Sony, and I am unsure about it.

I will consider everything, my only request is no tubes. I think they are better served in the preamp. Thoughts and opinions welcome.

Cheers,
Nick
nickway
Hi Nick,

I'm curious what you have decided on... I'm pretty much in the same boat... Please advise.
here is one for you that hasn't come up....Mcintosh 205...audiophiles tend to look theother way when it comes to Mac...too bad its great stuff...I own a fair amount of Mac including this little gem...I also own a Linn Ikemi which I like alot but son of a gun if the Mac isnt right up there with it...I have heard Wadiia, ML 390s and even the Linn cd 12 all in my house...for dollars to donuts the Mac is a value
Right now I am in savings mode.

I have been doing a lot of reading and I am really interested in a Audio Note CD-1/1x Signature DAC combo and possibly the Resolution Audio Opus 21 (both used of course).

If I can't get enough money togther I will probably look at an Ack dAck 2.0 and a good transport.

What is everyones opinion of the players I listed here. Any comparisons made?

Thanks,
Audio Note: Perfect instrument timbre, yet a collapsed soundstage. Great for background music, but pretty unexciting sound to my ear.

Opus 21: Perfectly balanced, has every aspect nailed down in spades, except the most significant one...emotional involvement. Our AA Prima is not as detailed or dynamic as the Opus 21, but I find it to be considerably more engaging. If you really like the sound of the Planet, you will probably find that the Opus 21 is wonderful, even perhaps at the peak of that type of sound. Personally, however, I've decided that I could not again own a non-tubed player. Perhaps I'll be surprised one day, but I've yet to hear one that plays with the fleshy, palpable body that the tubed players do. Without that, I have only a cerebral connection with the music, and that's just not enough for me to take the player home...into my bedroom...under the covers...with the lights down low...the candles burning...and...oh forget it!

Howard
Nick...check out the Denon 1650...used to own the original REGA...and this was a major upgrade in terms of soundstaging,detail, and lack of grain...great player...and I didnt think cdps differed much!....ooops...