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Best analog sounding cd player under 5K

Hi,

Im looking for a new or used one box player mainly for redbook. My budget could go up to 5K.
I know and have read a lot of threads about cd players but none deals with the analog sounding issue. Also, not everyone like his cd player to sound like his analog set up.
I can define analog, as neutral(good tonal balance), organic, natural, with a lot of low level information retrieval, inmediacy,with very good 3d image, not forward sounding and not analytical. I think the extension at both ends is not a must. Obviously, It cant be dark or too bright sounding.

I have in my short list so far, resolution opus, bluenote sttibert, apl denon 3910, audio aero capitole mkII, ayre Cx5.
For the reviews and comments on several forums it seems that the most organic and natural sounding is the Stibbert. How does it compare with the others? And also what other should be included in this list?
Thanks
Alan Brain
alanbrain
jakester99
6 posts
 
For those with an interest in the Melody CD-M10, here are a few pics:

CD-M10 version with Jensen output caps and AD827JN and opa627 op amps

CD-M10 version with Mundorf S&G output caps and opa627 op amps only

Front view of my CD-M10

Top view of CD-M10

BTW, I am not affiliated with Melody HiFi in any way.
cdwallace
216 posts
 
Hi everyone -

I hope I'm not missing something important here, but I haven't learn how to find an analogue sounding digital CD player. Especially a digital CD player that doesn't sound...digital. I know I don't have anywhere near the experience many of the contributes have, so I need to learn this.

Apparently, I have been misled in feeling that a digital CD player would sound analogue. I presumed a CDP/DAC combo would produce the best results. Can anyone help me out on this?
alanbrain OP
69 posts
 
I personally think that a one box cd player is better than a dac- transport combo. But thats only my opinion, others may differ. As for the analogue, If a cd player has some of the flavor of the sound coming out of a vinyl rig then it has an analog-like sound. I just have return from a long listening session with a UDP1 deluxe. I will write some words and post tomorrow here.
Alan
carloscotland
25 posts
 
A I said I own a Musical fidelity Kw DM System, transport + Dac. The connection between the two is digital balanced, and the two are available to be bought separately; however the KW Trans can only be used with the KW Dac. The Dac sports bouble single-ended output, one valve one solid state. To my ears is treble in particular is very defined and analogue-like, and fatigue is non-existant.
Better sounding CDP's may be around but ultimately I haven't heard any better as jet.
Not a cheap option at £4000 (I live in scotland).
I recently listened to the Copland CDA 823 (at exactly half the price of the KW), a nice little player that altough it hasn't got the kind of resolution of the MF KW it shared the same un-digital and free sound.
Indeed worth a look with budget in mind.
Another exellent player is the Meridian G08, very nice but musically leaves me a bit detached.
Hope this can help
french_fries
735 posts
 
mark levinson led the way in digital reproduction for a long time, 1st with some very good sounding proceed dacs/transports, and cdp's that were built like tanks. then they made the first ML-brand dac, the #30, which was considered the absolute best you could buy, along with their extraordinary reference transport(the 31.5). finally trickle down resulted in the #36, #36s, and the #360s dacs, which came so close to the #30 many dealers stopped carrying the "reference" gear. their final cdp, the 390s, is still made and incorporates many if not all of the features offered in all of those previous components. i feel the ML-390S digs almost as deep into the music as many players costing (as much as you care to spend). the HDCD filter is absolutely superb as well; if you like Reference Recordings you are in for a super treat. if they would only make sure the drawer would last for a good 10 years (or they'll fix it for free), imho this compact little black box is/would be very tough to beat.
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