What's the best CD and/or multiplayer today


Just got notice that my long awaited Spectral 4000 will soon be available - at $15,000! CD only. Any suggestions for alternatives at or below that price range?
kocsis
I have not heard it but the new Ayre player just got a great review in Stereophile.
Hopefully you APL guys will behave yourself ...

You may also want to add the TRL SA-14 and the TRL P/70 D/70 to your short list. And I have heard them both. :)

Jack
JES45, the mere mention of P70/D70 causes me to lose motor control. . . I heard them unmodified and they were wonderful. Please tell us what TRL did to the combo and how they differ sonically from the originals.
Jack, you kidding? I'm on my worst behavior here. I heard something at APL today that will absolutely blow your mind when it is released. Best digital I've heard to date. Yes, it surpasses the current version of the APL (which we do own). And yes, I admit it, I've started the hype. However, based upon what my wife and I heard today, the hype is well-deserved. Mamma mia! That's all I can say, or the gremlins will be after me.
Guido: I'm not certain just what TRL does with any mod on any player ... and to be frank, I don't care just what they do as long as the results prove worthy of my $550. (And they have on 9 different units for me so far). The combo that I heard was their first P70/D70 mod which went to a gentleman in the San Diego area back in February.

Let me first say that stock, the combo wasn't bad. But once TRL modified it, it had tremendous micro dynamics and stage depth layering. The noise floor greatly dropped and there was less (or better said, next to no) digital harshness. The bottom end tightened up and the stage width went well beyond the speakers on certain discs. It didn't do this stock. Overall, it sounded like analog tape, which if you view my system, I'm very familiar with.

I'm sure that most of the guys that run mod shops only have already worked on one of these combos. Given that some prefer one house sound to another, I can only assume that you'll find one that best suits you.

Boa2: I'm pleased to hear that you have found something that brings joy to your life as much as my TRL SA-14 does. It is truly a special player ...

Best wishes,
Jack