BOW Technologies ZZ8 or Ayon CD2

I think the ZZ8, latest version, is one of the best kept secret of the hifi world... First player which convinced me to dump my turntable, and which as a same time doesn't try to sound like a turntable.
Haven't heard the Ayon.

Yes, I was lucky to get latest ZZ-8 (2008/2009 version with power supply upgrade) . Still another 200HRs left for break-in . (Total 300HRs).
I was surprised to experience huge difference from Bel Canto PL-1A.
PL-1A was A-rated player , but latest ZZ-8 is much better (Another league).
I could become enjoy classical music with CDP.
I'm not sure what the sound will be after 300Hrs and change the fuse.
I was not sure how much CDP could improve the sound , but it really change the sound a lot. I recently listen old unused CD again.
One of the best redbook CDP , and the best CDP I have ever listened to. I would like to strongly recommend to listen to it. As for Ayon CD2 , I have not listened to it.
I was told Reimyo 777 and Wadia 861 are one of the best redbook CDP .
I have not listened to both of them , and hope someone to review comparison with Bow ZZ-8 2008/2009 .

Hi Sanjosehan,

I tried replacing the fuse on the ZZ8 with a Silver Star but on a blind test, I couldn't hear any difference.

As far as tweaks go, I got amazing results with Symposium Rollerballs 2+ G3.

JB

Hi,JB
Thnak you for sharing your experiences.

BTW , have you ever had a chance of comparison between latest ZZ8 vs Reimyo 777 / Wadia 861 etc ?

SJ

Hi SJ,

I haven't tried any of two players you mention. I did own an Esoteric X-03SE before the ZZ8 and it simply wasn't in the same league. It ticked all the audiophile boxes but was astonishingly not emotionally engaging, at least to my ears. Beautiful piece of engineering, but I let it go without a regret.
A shop in the UK who used to sell both the Zanden and the Bow said they were uncomfortably close sound-wise.

JB