Best sounding CD Player for $3K or less used?

Btstrg, curious as to your "by far best player" comment....

Have you heard everything on the above list? And if so, in your system?

Marantz sa 11 ,

i think a better question to ask is what player(s) will staisfy a particular preference for $3000 or less. As has been said before, best is very subjective. if there are 10 players suggested to be the best, only one or none of them are. what does best mean ?

Oneafter909

Your first thread and you are questioning my comment, good for you.

NO, I have NOT heard everything on the list but 3 of them and with in the past 4 months.

May I ask you what on YOUR list have you heard in your system??

Obviously not the Wadia 302 as you said, you have only heard it sounds like the 301.

What others have you ONLY heard about?? Can you tell us about your system and what players you have had in it?

You give a list but offer no other information as why?

The Wadia 830,301 and 302 hold no weight to a GNSC Statement moded 850.

I have had all 4 of these players (Wadia's) in my system at one point or another.

I now have a Wadia 581.

I probably shouldn’t have commented on the others ( non Wadia Players) so I will take that back as I have not heard them in MY system, but please shed some light on YOUR list.

How did you come up with it? If it was word by mouth like the 302 was, it has no validity to it either does it!

louis9bb9@aol.com you can call Steve at Great Northern Sound very nice and knowledgeable guy on allot of cdp’s he may be able to stear you in the right direction?

Btstrg:

Thanks for the reply. So I gather you've only heard Wadia players in your rig.

What I’ve heard in my system off the list:
REGA Saturn (I own it.)
Meridian G08 (loaned it for two weeks)
Meridian 508.24 (six to seven hours of listening—a good day)

What I’ve heard in my system similar but not exactly off the list:
Wadia 860 (two hours—didn’t mention because above price)

What I’ve heard off the list but not in my system:
Wadia 301 (45 mins); I know someone that worked for Wadia and we spoke at great length about the 301 and the 302 and in his opinion they sound near identical.

What I’ve heard similar but not exactly off the list nor in my system:
Esoteric DV-60 (2 hours—didn’t mention because above price)

About a year ago, I had been in a similar boat. Why no info: I just wanted to keep it short and sweet. And I believe you should hear it with your own ears to make the "best" decision for you. Because what you or I like isn’t necessarily what say that other person will like. In fact, your comment “by far the best” is nothing more than your limited opinion. What’s the best for one person or even in one system isn’t necessarily the best for someone else or even in another system.


Off topic, but since you asked I own a 2A3 Moth Audio amp, Moth speakers, and do a lot of initial listening impressions with the ATH-L3000 and HD650s. I didn’t offer any specific information because he didn’t ask. I assume he just wanted suggestions. I tend avoid terms like the best since this is a very subjective hobby and to a degree depends upon system synergy.

I’ve heard impressive improvements with mods, but you usually pay a hefty premium and if you ever decide to sell it’s next to impossible to recoup that additional investment. IMO and in general, stock sources sell quicker and overall don’t depreciate on a percentage basis nearly as much as sources that have been modified.