Okay......best single box reference CD player

In my opinion, Wadia, DCS, and Esoteric are building cost-no-object multi-component machines that are on an entirely different level than anything even at $20k. Since superlatives are thrown about with such regularity in audiophilia, there are simply no words left to convey how special these are.

Does the sound justify the cost? Yes. The law of diminishing returns does not apply here.

What does this sound like? Remember the first time you ever heard a real audiophile system? It's just like that. Magic.

Of course, there are many satisfying CD players to be had at a far lower cost. I personally feel that the source is absolutely critical for proper playback. Alas, there are slim pickings for CD playback in the sub-$5k range.

Dcstep, thanks for the info.

My ears tell me that no two cd players sound the same. I have it in my plans to give some higher end players a listen over time and see what I hear and go from there. I think the CD is probably the place where I might find a good upgrade/improvement if I look hard.

Are you running a new CD player in your system other than the Pioneer listed in your published system here on Agon??

@Mapman my reply to your question is simple as that:
If you think you have already a good system (speaker+amplifier one match) then for that kind of money, ask for a home demo with your 5000 player (or at least loan one) and you will know the answer.
For many years now I was listening of the capabilities of the "perfect cd sound" only now after the dCS Puccini home demo I enjoyed my huge redbook collection so much (with dsd upsampling) and considering my previous top gear.

So only that way (listening home to your system) you will eventually know the answer to your question, everything else is speculation and I do not wish to push puccini, just listen foryourself or get over it and enjoy your music anyway.

Now if that is going to make you open your pocket is another story, hopefully in Europe it's easier for us to buy it.

Mapman asked Dcstep:
"Are you running a new CD player in your system other than the Pioneer listed in your published system here on Agon??"

In fact I am. I was going to take some pictures and update my Virtual System this weekend to reflect the addition of a Playback Designs MPS-5. The Pioneer stays in to act as transport for the discs that the MPS-5 can't handle, DVD-A in particular.

Dave

Kops,

Yep, the only way to know if an investment like that is worth it is to listen on the target system in the target room.

Ironic isn't it that we discuss subtleties of high end audio in a place where we can't really listen to a darn thing?