1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 1132458807

CD player in the $2,500 to $5,000 range

I sold my old system (Bryston, MG 3.6r, Oracle Delphi, Parasound CD player) and have been working on putting together a simpler and smaller system. With advice from others on Audiogon, I bought a lovely pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors, and a Cary SLI-80 Signature. Now I need to pick a CD player.

I listen to primarily piano music, opera, and chamber music (plus a smattering of jazz, from time-to-time). I don't give a darn about the "hi-fi experience." Grain free, no fatigue, timber accuracy, is what I value.

I'm thinking:

Ayre CX-7e
Meridian G08
AR CD3
Marantz SA 11s1

Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

MMC
msmcelwee
kurt_tank
1,188 posts
 
I agree with Reubent about the R.A. Opus 21.
It is a very, very good cdp.
(It has a built-in analog volume control, so no preamp is necessary.)
It is every bit as good as Reubent says it is.
(I own one.)
New they are $3,500, and used they go for $2,200-2,500.
(Btw, R.A. is incredible to work with. The owner, Jeff Kalt is very helpful and very nice. I can not say enough good things about him.)

If you don't mind buying used, you can get a slightly better cdp, the Audio Aero Capitole II. It does sound a bit better, but it goes for close to $5k used. (New it is about $9K.)

Those are the two that I recommend in your price range.
Good Luck in your search!
steveaudio
328 posts
 
I'd say, don't ignore Cary CDP's. I have a Cary 303-200 that I love, & they're around $1500 used. Or, a 306-200 for around $2000 used, I think. Or, there are used Levinsons, Meridians, etc. to look into--I don't think you have to spend even $2500 to get what you're looking for (unless maybe you only want to buy new).
eldarado
381 posts
 
I would go with the Ayre.
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
Don't have a recommendation in your price range but I'm curious what you are listening to while you search.
mike1diver
51 posts
 
Wadia 860 or an 861. It's right in your price range.
Find an 860 and send it to Steve Huntley at The Great Northern Sound Company and let him update it with his reference modification.
You won't regret it!
Blackest background and lowest noise floor of anything that I have ever heard.
Plus, you can run it directly into your amp, and by-pass a preamp if you don't need one.
More to discover