Disclaimer: I am a dealer for Electrocompaniet and Xindak.
As the previous posts have stated already, there are quite a few players on the market now that I am sure you would be happy with. The question of course is which digital solution you would be "happiest" with ;-) I have heard good things about the new Opus 21, but haven't heard it myself. The Audio Aero is another great player, but there have been "issues" (do a forum search and I am sure you will find plenty of info). Another is the Audiomecca Mephisto 2, but it is too warm and "syrupy" for my taste, but still a great player (check with Stewart at Sanctuary of Sound for more info on the Mephisto, as he is much more familiar with the Audiomecca than I am).
My dad and I prefer the EMC-1 over ANY other Redbook player. We have yet to hear another player (and we have heard just about everything) that sounds as analog (which is the ultimate goal of digital of course) as the EMC-1.
If you are interested in SACD, another player that you might consider and that many have never heard of is the new Xindak SCD (SCD-1 for solid-state output, SCD-2 for tube output). We just recently picked up the line and have been VERY impressed so far. Most SACD players sacrifice Redbook playback (mainly because the Sony chipset has to do double-duty, and was really never designed to excel at Redbook). The Xindak is the only SACD player that we have heard that does a more than adequate job with Redbook.
Good luck in your search!
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio
As the previous posts have stated already, there are quite a few players on the market now that I am sure you would be happy with. The question of course is which digital solution you would be "happiest" with ;-) I have heard good things about the new Opus 21, but haven't heard it myself. The Audio Aero is another great player, but there have been "issues" (do a forum search and I am sure you will find plenty of info). Another is the Audiomecca Mephisto 2, but it is too warm and "syrupy" for my taste, but still a great player (check with Stewart at Sanctuary of Sound for more info on the Mephisto, as he is much more familiar with the Audiomecca than I am).
My dad and I prefer the EMC-1 over ANY other Redbook player. We have yet to hear another player (and we have heard just about everything) that sounds as analog (which is the ultimate goal of digital of course) as the EMC-1.
If you are interested in SACD, another player that you might consider and that many have never heard of is the new Xindak SCD (SCD-1 for solid-state output, SCD-2 for tube output). We just recently picked up the line and have been VERY impressed so far. Most SACD players sacrifice Redbook playback (mainly because the Sony chipset has to do double-duty, and was really never designed to excel at Redbook). The Xindak is the only SACD player that we have heard that does a more than adequate job with Redbook.
Good luck in your search!
Best Regards...Mike - Father & Son Audio