What is the best redbook CD player for 6K to 8K?

Used the Cx-7e...I wasn't so impressed with the Ayre, it was a nice piece, involving. I thought it sounded a little hollow compared to what I have now. Sounded tingy and pitched at times, no warmth. But the biggest characteristic I notice from that player to the combination I use now is detail. I get so much detail out of the Brick I am simply amazed. Today I went to a dealer to audition the Super 8's in an effort to get a more efficient speaker than my 804's. They hooked them up to some serious equipment. Nagra Pre Amp, Nagra CD player, Moon amp and so on...I gotta be honest, and I am the first to point out a weakness in my system, in fact I look for them. But I felt like my current set up in most ways, sounded better than what I heard today. I was with my friend and he agreed that he expected more, especially at those prices.

I also auditioned the Dynaudio Contour 1.4, and they were totally outperformed by the Super 8's. But in the end I am like the warmth of my B&W's, I know there is better out there, but I love the sound signature of B&W, it is what brought me into hi-fi.

I couldn't be happier with my set-up, so much so that I am upgrading to the Cosecant. Not because I am unhappy with the Brick-it is awesome! But I wanted a little more bass, and power, and the Cosecant matches my equipment better. Not to mention it looks great. Should have it in a month.

"The digital player I have owned that rendered the most lifelike 3D holographic image is the APL Denon 3910. It was scary.

Other players I have owned include Exemplar Denon 3910, Exemplar Denon 2900, Empirical Audio EMC 1-UP SE, Modwright Sony 999ES, Marantz SA-14, APL Phillips SACD1000, Shanling T200."

Hi Tvad - Did you have the latest version Exemplar 3910 with the tube output stage (please pardon the rookie-like question)? And did your APL 3910 also have a tube output stage (what DACs/how many, and what type of power supplies)? If so, did you compare the two side-to-side?

It would be great if you (or anyone else who has compared them) can please detail your findings, specifically in the SACD and/or HDCD performance of these two players. I just ran across this thread, but I will also do a search in case this info was shared previously.

Thanks & regards!

03-07-07: Ctm_cra
Hi Tvad - Did you have the latest version Exemplar 3910 with the tube output stage (please pardon the rookie-like question)?

I had the tubed output and transformer coupled balanced outputs. I don't know if what I had is the latest iteration. It was at the time. Things change so quickly in the realm of modded players, I tend to think something must have changed since I sold mine.

...did your APL 3910 also have a tube output stage (what DACs/how many, and what type of power supplies)? If so, did you compare the two side-to-side?

Yes, my APL had the tubed output stage and AKM DACS (six per channel as I recall). The version of AKM DACs was something along the lines of version 6 or 7 out of the final 14 versions. I don't recall the power supply. It was not the linear power supply that was eventually abandoned.

I did compare them side by side, and I prefered the APL by a wide margin. It was more natural sounding, and as I have already written, the APL brought music to life in my system. The Exemplar, while very good, simply was not to my taste. The one thing I found particularly out of line with my preferences was its treble response. I found it to be too pronounced. The sound of the Exemplar Denon 3910 was overall more analytical than the APL, IMO.

Analytical (Exemplar) versus natural (APL). That was the bottom line.

My opinion only. My system. My ears. My preferences.

Tvad - Thanks for the detailed info. I have always wondered the nature of the sonic differences between these two players. One follow-up question: Were these differences consistent for CDs and SACDs? Or was there a more pronounced difference in one format over the other? TIA!

Were these differences consistent for CDs and SACDs? Or was there a more pronounced difference in one format over the other?
Ctm_cra (Threads | Answers)

Honestly, I did 98% of my listening to redbook CDs or DVD-A. I don't own very many SACDs, but the differences were consistent in the DVD-A format.