CDP to replace vinyl

This has all the ingredients to make for an Epic Pissing Match Thread.

Gonna be fun to watch! :)

If Cary has worked out its build problems, then maybe a Cary. But my Cayin 17 doesn't sound too shabby. I'm trying to roll the 4 6922's to see if I can get even more out of an already fine sounding player, I'm trying for a quad of BugleBoys, under $100.

Northstar model 192 dac & transport should get you a similar sound to lp playback. It is very detailed and smooth. I can't give you an opinion on the Cary because I haven't heard it. I don't know if you will actually get the "vinyl" sound from any digital but the Northstar was the closest I heard in presentation. Hope you find what you are after.

I am a huge fan of vinyl, I purchase about 600 lps a year, have a nice Nottingham TT, Shelter etc. But, I do think that one can build a very pleasing system with digital. I have an Arcam FMJ 33 CDP. Though there are many much nicer, and more expensive, I find this one to be very musical, detailed, warm and well, vinyl sounding. I have heard great things about the cary, and Ayre. I would also take a look at SACD, I listened to an Esoteric recently with SACD that was very impressive.

My Resolution Audio Opus 21 comes close, but it STILL doesn't have that soft, woody, warm, smooth "vinyl" sound compared to my 1981 Hitatchi turntable with a $300 cartridge.