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CD player to go with Simaudio I-7 integrated amp

This may have been discussed earlier but I have recently acquired a Simaudio I-7 integrated amp. Now I am in the search of a decent CD player which has balanced outputs. Of course the dealer where I purchased my amp at wanted me to go with the Supernova but I have to watch my budget after spending some serious $$$'s on the I-7. The speakers in my 2-ch setup currently are Dynaudio 72SE but I will be upgrading them in the future. My plans are to stay within the Dyn line as I love the sound coming out of their product. Since we are talking budgets, how about anything less than $2.5K which mates well with the mentioned Sim? Can anyone provide any advice on a CD player which will help me maintain my sanity?
njamil
mimberman
299 posts
 
Going from what's available now on Agon that I've heard, and given it's with the i-7 (also familiar with), I would investigate:

Sony SCD-1 Super Audio CD player
Cary Audio 303/300
Ayre CX-7e
Bel Canto CD-2 player and transport

Of the above I would give a special nod to the Sony and the Ayre, since I've heard them with Sim gear before (but not the i-7). The SCD-1's main drag is that it's got slow load times, but it's a classic piece of kit and friggin gorgeous. It has balanced outputs, but you may want to investigate further if it's truly balanced, as I seem to remember, when I owned it, reading that it's not really balanced?
njamil OP
5 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses. It is appreciated. I will try to get a look at most of the units being mentioned. The SuperNova was at the top of the list for its synergy with the I-7. I was fortunate to get a demo of that setup with the speakers I currently have and the audition to me was amazing. It is just that $6K is a whole lot of change at this point for the Nova. There has not been too much mention of Bryston's BCD-1. I wonder why? I guess maybe because it is fairly new.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Search BCD-1 for a previous thread with my comments on this unit. Also I strongly recommend visiting AudioCircle Bryston owners for several threads with extensive commentary on the sound of this CDP.
njamil OP
5 posts
 
Thank you Twoleftears. Actually I was reading the comments on AudioCircle prior to receiving your response :) I also sent in an email to James Tanner at Bryston and he wants me to audition the player.
psjulian
99 posts
 
I had the I-7 with a Meridian G08 and loved it until I heard the Primare CD31. It blew me away! Stereophile got one right with this class "A" player. I'm now using it with the matching integrated the I-30. I don't miss the I-7. I bought both Primares new for what I got used for the I-7. I'm using a GamuT DI-150 right now and I'm loving it! I have my friends 150 and I also had it when I had the Meridian and the Primare just sounds so much better in all the audiophile "lingo" ways. Keep the I-7 and try the Primare and save money.
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