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Decided to change my cd player, suggestions please?

Ok so I guess this is as much a change just for the sake of change, lol, as tbh I am pretty happy with my setup but it has been the same equipment for the last 3 years so just what the heck, lets fiddle.....

So present equipment is:
Krell KAV250A
Acoustic Research LS2
Krell s-350
Usher cp-6381

Now i listen nearly exclusively to rock, mostly modern rock like Avenged sevenfold, stained, shinedown, saving abel, halestorm etc etc. Some more classic rock if I am feeling mellow.
I do not believe anything much else will ever grace my systems

I fully realize I may take a step backward or two but if there are far more expensive players out there there may be one that suits my ears better.

Budget is up to $4k used or new

Any good suggestions please.
uberwaltz
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
BTW, it is very easy to test 2 CD players.  Make 2 copies of some test music and set one up to play a few seconds ahead of the other one.  Switch back and forth.

You can use a Tape In if your remote doesn't have dedicated buttons for all sources.

Enjoy - I think you will find that a blind test doesn't show a lot of differences.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
4,946 posts
 
well just an update, had to buy it as price was so right
Esoteric sa-50 should be here wednesday, then we will see.....
be interesting to try it through my ar ls2 pre AND running it direct into the power amp, often been said that the best preamp is NO preamp.....
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Keep us posted- uberwaltz
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Happy Listening!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
4,946 posts
 
so the esoteric arrived this morning, hooked it up through my ar ls2 and listened to pat benatar.
best i can describe is that higher volume levels it holds together much better, more cohesive, much more slam for want of a better word and the highs are not as harsh as the krell was by far.
at moderate levels there is probably not a lot between them although still more noticeable bass on drums etc but as volume is increased the esoteric definitely holds its composure much better.
I then tried running direct to my power amp but i ran out of gain on the internal esoteric volume way too early...lol. Yes I like my music loud or at least the option to like it loud! Now I will say that at lower levels I think I did prefer the sound direct to the poweramp, it appeared more full bodied and possibly even better sound staging so now maybe I have to look for a better preamp as well, you know how that goes......
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