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Buying Hi-End CD Player or Transport..

I'm looking to buy a new CD Player to my Home Theater/ Music System. I have narrowed down to 3 choices:
1. YBA CD1 (Solid State)
2. Balanced Audio Technology BAT VK-D5 (Tube CD Player)
3. Sonic Forntiers SFCD-1 (Tube CD Player)
4. Forsell Reference Transport.

Here is my current system.
Preamp: BAT VK-5i (Tube)
Processor: EAD TM-Signature
Power Amp: Jeff Rowland Model 5
Speaker: B& W Matrix 802 S3

Which would be the best way to go. adding transport or cd player. If buying the transport, I'll use EAD Signature as a DAC. If buying cd player, which one is the best.

Your comment would be very appreciated.
Supakit S.
supakit
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
The two best that I have heard are not on your list. The Audiomeca Mephisto II CD player and the Audio Aero Capitole 24/192. Both use the Anagram dac and are far more analog sounding than anything you have mentioned. They both have incredible depth of stage and incredible resolution with no signs of harshness or thinness. I have not heard their equal at any price.
wretham1c93
1 posts
 
i used a yba cd1 with my rowland gear and the sound was great
lev335
220 posts
 
All above mentioned are nice but I would encourage you to borrow a Mark Levinson 39 cd player that has a preamp section and an anologe volume control if you wanted to run directly to your power amp. The sound is so clean and the soundstage is deep and wide like all their products. Great stuff. There are alot of great cd players out there but you can pick up a used 39 for around 3,200 if you can find someone to give you a good deal. Best Regards
tacs
220 posts
 
Save yourself some cash and get a used EAD transport to feed the processor. They're cheap on the used market these days and work fine.
Take your significant other to Bermuda for a week with the $ you save. But wait til hurricane season is over.
dwaldruff
3 posts
 
I've heard the Audio Aero with the Joule Marquis OTL amps, preamp, and the Merlin Mellenium speakers at CES and the Stereophile show and it is really good. I'd probably agree with Jtinn. I'd give this one a listen. I've not heard the Audiomeca. Have fun.
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