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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
128x128alanbrain
bartokfan
664 posts
 
yes please posta review, which i failed to acknowledge your upcomming report. My apologies.
I was only quoting most of what one HK member heard at the show, and I assume in a home set up. From his highly attuned impressions of the Melody, its possible that it is 'not my cup of tea". btw he heard the hi m10 with a all Melody set up, the big 1688 pre. I feel no need to "upgrade" my modded cayin 17. Its a done deal. The story of my cdp search has ended...well I should refrain, as the HK member did say Cayin has some new cdp models out this yr.
Look forward to your report. At 75 lbs, its fair to say this one is not just built "like a tank, it is a tank. WOW!, 75 lbs!! Has a trans!!
alanbrain's avatar
alanbrain OP
69 posts
 
Hi
And what about the UDP1 Deluxe?
has anyone heard this cd player?

Alan
alanbrain's avatar
alanbrain OP
69 posts
 
One friend has replaced a clase cdp100 with the udp-1 deluxe and he says that the mccormack is the most analogue sounding cd player he has ever heard. I will go for a listening session and report back.
Alan
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i wish someone would define "analogue sounding". at the very least, the sound of analogue depends upon the cartridge one uses. i can't see how there exists an "analogue sound", since the sound of turntable, arm and cartridge varies.

that said, i have auditioned the mccormack player several times, although not in my own system.

i find it an ordinary sounding player--nothing special.
listening to cds on that player did not create the illusion that i was listening to a record.
ackman00
67 posts
 
I have listened to the top of the line CD players from Wadia, ARC, Ayre, and a few others (and still do) but they all come up short when compared to my APL 3910. If you can find one with the latest upgrades, you will not look back.
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