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Looking for a good 1000- 2000 CD player

I am in the market for a CD player in the $1000-$2000 price range to compliment my current system:

•Sonus Faber Concertino speakers
•Sim Audio Moon i-5 integrated amp
•Cardas Golden Cross interconnect
•DH Labs speaker cable
•NHT SW3P subwoofer

I am using a Musical Fidelity Electra E60 CD player with the previously mentioned setup and am looking to upgrade to a player that will hopefully offer more resolution and refinement while maintaining a degree of warmth. My tastes tend toward a system that is involving and emotional. I don't like systems that sound overly analytical and dry.

I have not auditioned any players yet, but am considering the Audio Analogue Paganini and Maestro, and also the Myryad MC100 and MCD500.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I value fellow consumer opinion over professional reviews.

Thanks,
Dean Yamasaki
gunbei
megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
Fot $1-2,000 new if you are looking for warm relaxed sound go to Rotel 990 which has adjustable dither. For greater transparancy and more detail go to Musical Fidelity A3CD or if you can afford it Arcam FMJ. Even better sound can be acheived by using any of these players with Bel Canto DAC 1.1 with slow roll-off filtering, gives beautiful natural sound superior to the DAC contained in any of the above mentioned players.

I would not spend too much money on a new player, go with transport/DAC for best sound and maximum flexibility for future upgrades.
sedond
1,314 posts
 
while i don't disagree w/the recommendations above, i bet if ya sold yer integrated & used the proceeds along w/another $2k & got yerself a nice used toob preamp & s/s amp, the net result would sound better w/yer current cd player, compared to any of the above recommendations used w/yer current set-up.

i think having an excellent tubed preamp is crucial to extracting musicality from digital sources (at least current redbook cd). i found that upgrading to a (~$2k used) melos music director preamp leveled the playing-field of cd-players up to at least $3k - an $1800 alchemist & a $3k resolution-audio cd50 offer no significant improvements over my $500 nad cd-changer in my system. added bonus is fm & vinyl also have never sounded better! ;~)

w/the current state of digital's future up in the air, inwesting in a top-notch preamp will improve yer entire system, & if/when the next-generation digital playback system is supported by readily-awailable software, yule then be able to upgrade yer digital source & plug it into a great preamp.

one person's opinion... doug s.

ps - don't get me wrong - i tink the simaudio electronics are really nice, but i tink ya need a toob pre at least - or, perhaps a toob-amp - to get great digital sound at anything resembling a reasonable price.

gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Thank you so much forum members for the fantastic advice! All your ideas have got me thinking of the possible variations that might fill the bill.

I realize much of the magic people experience with their systems has to do with synergism between components. I may try getting a nice DAC first. But the idea of getting a great SACD player like the Sony SCD777ES or going to some of the higher end redbook players people have mentioned here has got me excited too.

I've tried to give everyone 5 stars for their posts, but for some reason the feedback window is giving everyone 2s. I just wanted to make sure everyone's input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Dean
joe_b
421 posts
 
I tried to post a response yesterday but got disconnected (thank you, aol). If your cd player has a digital output and you like a lush sound (I do, too), I would recommend trying a jitter reduction device, Harmonic Tech cables and a Bel Canto dac. I've had a Bel Canto for well over a year and have been very satisfied. I have not heard the new Rega cd player, but I did try the original Rega Planet and it is not nearly as good as a properly set up Bel Canto.
gunbei OP
2,327 posts
 
Joe, do you think one of Monarchy Audio's Anti-Jitter devices would be a good match with the Bel Canto?
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