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Digital Direct SHOOTOUT

Ok, here it is, the royal shootout of CD players direct into an amp, sans preamp. Who has the best combination of liquid mids, PRAT, great bass, authority and control while maintaining transparency and pinpoint imaging. Let's hear it....

Resolution Audio Opus 21
Audio Aero Capitole MK II
Audio Aero SACD Player
APL Denon 3910
Burmester 001
Meitner CDD Transport/DCC2
Wadia 861
Esoteric D01/P01 combo

Anything else????

I am guessing some of these will offer the best mids, or the best transparency, but overall, which has the best balance of richness and detail?
fatcataudio
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I'm skeptical of anyone having experience with even two of these player
direct to amp as you describe, and I'll be interested to read the posts of
those who do. I have only experience with the APL Denon 3910 direct to
amp: completely transparent, extended, pin-point imaging, great bass.
I don't know if I'd qualify the mids as liquid. What exactly are you asking
when you speak of liquid mids? Grain free...yes the APL qualifies.
Emphasizing the mids with some "bloom"? No...the APL does
not qualify. The APL strives for neutrality, IMO.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
1,962 posts
 
Fatcataudio,have you read the thread of AVguru,Read
His comment about the Sony9000esModwright?Thats a
a very long thread, but it worth reading.Thanks
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Fatcataudio, this would be REALLY nice! I think we need two additions - the latest 2000/5000 Zanden combo and the upcoming APL Esoteric UX-1.

Jayctoy, I think you really need to join the Audio Note DAC fan club as your 9000ES sounds a lot like it, IMHO...:-) Many will really like this but many will not. It is like trying to tell me that MM catridge is WAY better than MC cartridge. Please, think again! Do you like a "masked" sound or "real" sound? I like what makes me happy and I am glad you do too.

Regards,
Alex
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