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Cary 303/300 or Musical Fidelity A5 with Mac gear?

Looking to upgrade from my Arcam cd player. Looking for a better source to match my Mac MC-207 and C-2200. The Arcam is ok but it isn't the smoothest or the fullest sounding player out there. Does have good detail though. Looking for some insight from other Audiogon members. Have borrowed a Mac MCD-201 and like it. It is better that the Arcam but its fuctions are alittle odd. Went looking for an Ayre CX7e but was told that Ayre isn't producing them currently and will not take orders for any (by my local dealer). I am open minded too, for other options, but top loaders will not work in my system. Any thoughts?? Would like to keep it at or under 4k too. Thanks!
hawkeye43
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
I you search BCD-1 you'll find an old thread where I compared CDPs from Arcam, Rega, Naim, Primaire, Cambridge and Bryston. I found the Arcam to be the most analytical of the bunch. The Primaire struck me as smooth and musical. Highly competent and listenable, but lacking that ultimate extra something. As always, given system synergy, YMMV.
cgw
29 posts
 
I have a Cary 303/200 and two Cary 306/200's. I find they are much better than my Lavry DA10 DAC which is comparable to the Benchmark. The Cary 303/300 is meant to be even better sounding, but having a digital input is very important to me. I was very excited about the McIntosh MCD500 when I found out that it had digital inputs. I have not heard the MCD500 yet.
jylee
306 posts
 
If I could make an unconventional recommendation, I'd suggest Onkyo DX-7555. Take a look at the stereophile measurement, and you'll realize that its performance is superior to most CD players mentioned in this thread. The best part is the $400 price tag from amazon.com. If you don't like the sound you can simply return it.
hawkeye43 OP
32 posts
 
Looked into the Mac MCD500 but it's 6500.00 puts it out of the plan.  Found a used Cary 303/300 for around 2k.  Giving it some serious thought.  It seems like the right piece of gear.  But my heart is pulling me to the MF A5.  Drivng me crazy!

Another suggestion to me was the Marnatz SA11-s1. Most of my music is redbook cd's not SACD so hope it would be equal on both formats. 
rackon
301 posts
 
Jylee, in what ways is the Onkyo superior? What are its performance characteristics? Have you actually heard the Cary and MF players?

Can you addresss performance aspects like resolution, musicality, tonality, dynamics, smoothness, transient response etc.
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