Ayre C 5xe Universal vs. Cary 306 SACD

Jprice we'll expect your final desicion, I'd like to add that if Cary is better in massed instruments it's a good sign for me, this is more dificult than Jazz trios.
Both are excellent though.
Do you play via xlr connections? both act better through xlr, Ayre is designed that way and Cary has multiple differential dacs. Please describe the rest of your system.

Thanks for asking Kops.

I connect the players through a balanced input, although my preamp only allows for one such connection. In order to make comparisons fair, and although it takes longer to make a switch, I will change interconnects, rather than utilize the switch on the preamp, to change from one to the other. When I'm not making comparisons, I use one unit single ended and the other balanced.

My other equipment is Spectral DMC-30SL preamp, Spectral DMA 250 amp. All MIT Oracle cabling, Avalon Eidolon speakers.

Actually, most of my listening is Vinyl (Basis Debut V Vacuum turntable, Graham 2.2 arm, Graham Nightingale 2 cartridge, Pass X-Ono phono stage) and I try to get digital sound that replicates that medium. Both of these machines come very close. Sometimes, I think they may be better!

I do think that both units exhibit better soundstaging with XLR connections.

very nice system jprice, let us know when you decide!

Jprice, Have you made your decision yet? If so....what were the deciding factors? Thanks.

I had a friend bring over a new Ayre C-5x that I was able to compare versus my Ayre CX-7 evolution model and it is virtually impossible to explain the amount of improvement I heard on the Redbook playback. It certainly sounded as if I had significantly upgraded my pre-amp and amplifier. Soundstage was deeper and fuller sounding and the voicing took on a lifelike realism that equaled what I heard before only in SACD playback. Track after track had me involuntarily tapping my foot along with the music and the emotional response. This was easily the most significant jump in performance that I had ever heard in my system. I have not heard the Cary but my bet says that if JP lets one of these players go the Ayre will be staying put. If I had an extra 3,500, (I don't) I'd sell my Ayre and spring for the C5 in a heartbeat. I am still shaking my head at the Redbook difference, and the SACD's that I did hear left me believing that SACD had now reached playback previously reserved for high end vinyl setups. Associated equipment was the Ayre V-1xe amplifier, Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp and Aerial 10-T speakers.