My Phish is Dead Cary it or Proceed to new Planet


I need some help, I am in the market for a used CDP in the under $1300 range. I listen the Phish, the Dead, bluegrass, lots of jazz and me and my boys rock to the Rachmaninov.

My current system is;
B&W 805: speakers
Classe CP35; preamp
CAL DX2: CDP
Anthem AMP1; amp
Tara & Kimber cables

I'm looking to start rebuilding the whole system starting with the CDP and I am looking for input. I am looking at a Cary 303-100, Musical Fidelity A3, Proceed CDP, Rega planet 2000 or Jupiter, Classe CDP1 and the Adcom GCD-750.

Guide me oh wise ones who have the priveledge and experience

Thanks SUKO
suko
Hello,

When I bought my Cary 303 I did a direct A/B comparison to the Rega planet. It wasn't close. The Cary was more well defined, had a bigger sound stage and a tighter and lower bottom end. I also compared it to the Linn and Rotel products but not in a direct A/B comparison. Very good deal used and with HDCD as a bonus.
Viggen,

Ever have a 2 week old? Trust me it's not my hour of choice, But hey cup of Joe, Audiogon then off to work and ever been to Eugene? It is a bit different but that's alright by us. Thanks for the input I'll check them out.

Goose,

Thanks for the input. Does your Cary ever sound too revealing on some recordings. Basically is it pretty uniform for all CD's or does it have a particular few. Plus what kind of system do you have it in? Thanks again.
Yup, I completely understand. My new dac is less than 1 week old, and I already want to quit my job, so I can listen to my stereo from 12 pm to 5am.

Yup, I've been to Eugene. I had a friend that lived there. She used to work at this restaurant called.. errr its a chinese restaurant with pool tables inside. Hot lips? Hot gossip? I forgot.
Viggen,

Take care of that baby, I know it's hard to rip yourself away in these early discovery days. As far as Hot Lips, hell I can't go there now but I think it is what got me in this 2 week old baby mess in the first place. So I'll pass.

Hey, I know your a Cal/ARC fellow but what do you think of the Jolita? The folks way out here in ORYGUN haven't really played with this Maryland toy, not in any of my stores.

I'm hesitant because of my Anthem 1, but then again that was a no brainer for me next to a nice Rotel.

TGIF-Suko
Hey Suko,

I am an EX CAL/ARC fella. I divorced CAL/ARC because I am into more of a mellow articulate sound rather than that classic high definition sound that I feel is suitable for the type of music genre you described earlier. Right now, I am using Meridian 500/518 to a Channel Island DAC.

I do believe the CAL DX2 and their other one box cd players are more mellowy/airy sounding. It is different with their Alpha and Sigma processors atleast with the Mullard tubes I had in them.

Regarding Jolida, I doubt it is my cup of tea, although, I've read nothing but praise on Agon and on just about any web sources I got my eyes on. Also, for live music, I believe the old Thetas would do a nice job too.

Also, there are plenty of arguments that claim new digital technology is better than digital technology from a few years ago. I compared the Channel Island DAC with my old Meridian 563 which is circa '95 I think. Albeit, I don't have upsampling, but I don't feel 24bit technology is all that. But, I am using the Channel Island DAC instead of the 563 because the CI doesn't have a pre-emphasis circuitry which makes it more compatible with the 518.