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Best universal player under $3000

My DVD player (an old Kenwood Sovereign) is toast. I want to upgrade it significantly and figured I'd replace my CD player (a Jolida JD-100) as well just to consolidate a bit. The rest of the systems includes a Sunfire Theater Grand 2 pre/pro, Music Hall MMF7 turntable, Parasound Halo A52 amp, and Paragism Signature S4 speakers.

I'm looking at the $1500-2500 range of CD/DVD/universal players on the used market. I care a lot more about the audio playback than the video. It seems that the McIntosh 861, Krell DVD Standard, and Moon Orbiter are all options, and there seem to be a few more. I've heard a lot about the Esoteric as well.

I'm also thinking about replacing the Sunfire, so any thoughts you have in that regard would be helpful. I was reading a bit about the Krell S1000.

Thanks!

Adam
azirkin
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I doubt many think so in Audiophoole circles but the Lexicon RT-10 models can be had for that price and do eveything well IMO. My dad Esoteric DV60 does not trounce it but it cost's alot more.
telescope_trade
555 posts
 
I just bought a BN Parasound D-3 Universal player, and
love it for cd play back. I bought it mainly for that alone
as my local dealer heard it at the show and thought it
sounded really good.
Best of all, it's a $2500 player that Parasound is
selling out at $1095 due to Blu Ray.
I have not owned a $1k dedicated cd player that
sounds this good. Have not tried SACD yet, but
DVD video looks fantastic also so far.
What a deal!!!! And looks like a million to boot!
docrobbi
37 posts
 
I have a Denon 3910 it is great for video and not bad for sound. I hear the 5910 series is even nicer but around $3800 new. Arcam makes some nice players as well. Very musical with great video. The DV137 is $2199 the DV139 is slightly higher than your price point at $3199 it is a great player in both aspects.
2chnlben
595 posts
 
Since exceptional audio is your objective, you might want to consider getting a reasonably-priced universal (rated high for video output) to use as a transport and run it through an outboard DAC. PS Audio has a DAC (Digital Link III) that retails for $995 and has received exceptional reviews. I have personally heard this DAC and I am considering getting one to mate with my Rotel RDV-1092.

By the way, the Rotel unit, at $1500, does provide exceptional audio (but I can hear a difference when it is run through the DL-III).

Read up on this remarkable little DAC - for the money, it's very impressive.
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