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Advice from vinyl types on a good CD player

I am interested in some suggestions for a good CD player from people that have an audiophile vinyl setup. I have a VPI TNT with ARC phono ref and ref 1. I just can't get into listening to CD's even though I have several thousand. I've tried an ARC CD1 and thought it sounded like crap. I've auditioned some higher end players from Levinson etc and they've all left me cold. I bought a DVD player that also played SACD's and I was impressed with the Elton John SACD's. They were obviously well remastered and had a sound closer to vinyl. I don't want to get into the whole CD vs vinyl debate. So if you have a vinyl setup and a CD setup I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
ntscdan
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,927 posts
 
I have yet to find one that involves me on as many levels as a turntable can. Very sad, because if one did exist for me I'd happily spend the money.

I've been searching for the perfect CD player for 20 years, I've owned or auditioned about 75 of them I guess. I don't think the problem exists because the hardware guys are not trying hard enough. ItÂ’s the Redbook format (CD).

I'm looking forward to ultra high resolution downloads direct to computer. It will eventually happen, and when it does the quality will smoke CD's and we can all rejoice in the digital revolution.
greeni
92 posts
 
Resolution Audio Opus 21
Naim CDPs
These come close to vinyl in terms of tonality.
The Opus needs DIN to RCA interconnects to sound its best.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
I've been in the same position as Albert and for voices, small jazz groups, solo instruments and string quartetts my search has ended with the ZANDEN combo. Expensive but worth while to these here old ears. I still have to find a player, satisfying my needs, as far as classical big orchestral music is concerned. Another way to go could be the REQEST music server plus laptop and a decent DAC ( I use dcs )or Steve Nugent's USB dac, the SPOILER with PACECAR. You could then do without a transport and rip your CDs to HD. On a more general level, I completely agree with Albert: To us spoilt vinyl junkies the digital revolution hasn't happened so far, but it will, when the hi-res downloads become reality.
tom_hankins
850 posts
 
Audio research CD7 and Classe CDP 202.
karelfd
476 posts
 
AMR CD-77 ended my quest (my analogue front-end is the Well Tempered Reference). There are a number of threads on this one-box player.

On last week's HighEnd in Munich it was on demo in a room where the analogue front consisted of Garrard 501 with Origin Live arm and Lyra Titan. Different of course, but to full musical satisfaction.

Another - rather more expensive - avenue would be to try a Jadis combo.
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