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Looking to Upgrade my CDP

Currently using a jolida 100A with 1959 Amperex tubes. The sound is warm with a huge soundstage, but I’m looking to move up to the next level. I’m not interested in computer audio, just a dedicated CD player that will get the most out of my large classical Redbook collection.

I’ve auditioned a Naim CDP and I think it might sound too detailed in my system, so I like the idea of tubes such as a Raysonic or an Ayon. Budget is around $2500 to $3000 new or used.

I’ve learned from many of you on the forum how important the master clock is in preventing jitter, thus leading to a more natural presentation.
I’d like to hear your recommendations keeping in mind I’m looking for focused, open sonics and I hate to use the word, but close to “analogue” sound.

many thanks.
128x128lowrider57
yashu
196 posts
 
To Audiozen,

Your description is good. Do you know if Ayre or Cary would fall into your "warm and relaxed" description?
audiozen
831 posts
 
Yashu..I have not listened to Ayre or Cary spinner's. But have listend to their other components. I have no interest in buying a player that is not from Japan. Why? Japan has always made the most musical sounding CD/SACD player's on the market. As most are aware, Sony and Philips invented the Compact Disc in 1980 and that same year Denon built the worlds first CD player which was a commercial test model for recording studio's. All the American and European Audio manufacturer's that make CD player's buy their Transport's from Japan. Japan puts musicality first in voicing their CD player's and will always be ahead of the game.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,417 posts
 
I'm very happy with my new(used) ARC CD-3... fantastic imaging and dynamics plus no more CD glare.

Question... anybody have experience using HiFi tuning fuses in their CDP? I'm not looking for more detail, but a smoother presentation in the highs.
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Audio Research CD players are known as the CD players for analog lovers and I have known them to have very smooth highs. Maybe you could try another interconnect between the CD player and preamp or take another look at speaker cables instead of altering the sound of your CD player.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,417 posts
 
Rrog, let me explain. My CD3 is quite analogue-sounding, the trouble is with early digital. My listening is 90% classical and strings sound warm and sweet, in fact instruments sound more natural or organic than vinyl (well, vinyl does have some colorations but that's why we love it).
The early period of CD mastering is in a word harsh. My post stems from the fact that I have a massive amount of DG recordings from their rough years with the harsh highs and the over-mic'd brass.

I'm looking for any ideas to make these CDs sound tolerable. My 12 x 16' room is very well damped, although I am going to hang another acoustic panel on the rear wall corner.
My cables are Cardas and there's no money currently to upgrade.
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