Personal CD player evolution
A boom box with CD player Yamaha Single player. Changer 1990 Yamaha Laser Disc/Cd player 1994 Classe CDP .3 1997 ( still have it- there something about this player...) Classe CDP .5 2000 Classe CDP 1 2004 Classe CDT-1/DAC-1 2006 Jadis JD3 (still have it Bedroom system) 2006 Metronome Kalista/ C2A signature DAC combo (In current system-2006) Zanden 2000 Transport/5000 sig DAC ( In current system- 2007) |
After fighting it off for a few years, I went with a Yamaha in 1986; lasted with poor sound (vinyl does rule) until I went with a Rotel RDV-1080 CD/DVD Audio player. Then it was a Meridian 588 which I didn't care for, but still the best I owned til then. Musical Fidelity kW SACD was next and now I enjoy the Esoteric X03-SE, which I'm finally very happy with. |
1) Sony boombox with a CD player (1989) 2) Sony Discman (1993) (this led to a solid move from cassette to CD's) 3) JVC CD player (part of my first "component" system with JVC receiver and PSB Alpha's) (1994) ...then comes University graduation, followed by full-time work and pay, which led to the next stream... 4) Marantz CC-3000 5-disc changer (2000) 5) Bel Canto DAC1 added (2002) (still using Marantz changer) 6) Meridian 506.24 (2004) 7) Ayre CX-7e (2008) ...and that should be it for quite a while now...I don't change components very often relative to most on these boards, but when I do, it's generally for clear improvements. The smallest improvement was Marantz/Bel Canto to Meridian - that was more of a sideways step compared to the rest, which were all easily audible changes. But the Bel Canto to Meridian change was caused by necessity - had to move overseas and didn't wanna bring the stereo equipment with me due to transport issues. |
1) a Denon - can't remember the model # 2) ARC CD-1 3) Wadia 830 with GNSC Ref mods (loved this one but let it go because wanted a transport with digital outs to feed my Tact 2.0s preamp) 4) Cambridge Audio 840c 5) Oracle CD-1000 transport I fully intended to make the 840c my "last" CDP but the Oracle won my heart over the holidays. It sounds amazing and looks even better. I also started using a Squeezebox about a year ago and highly suspect my upgraditis will continue along that technology path as it evolves. Mike |
An update: 1988 some basic Phillips CDP 1994 Harman Kardon HK7525 1998 Rega Planet Original 2004 Linn Classik 2004 Linn Genki 2004 Unison Unico CDP 2005 went back to Planet after being disappoinment by the Genki and Unico 2005 Audio Aero Prima MK II (the very best of the above) The Audio Aero was my last CDP - switched to computer audio ... 2006 Wavelength Brick USB DAC+ Mac Mini 2007 Benchmark DAC1USB + Mac Mini |
My very first CD player was a beautiful walnut sided piece by Kyocera circa 1985. Then went to CAL Delta transport with Alpha DAC, followed by CAL Tempest II. Tried one of the first DAC's by Theta around that time as well. Moved onto Meridian--500 transport, 563 DAC, 518 processor. Moved back to one piece operation with Marantz SA-1. Excellent! But then went into a frenzy of auditioning and changing players e.g. Electrocompaniet EMC-1 (still regret selling), Resolution Audio CD-55, Arcam FMJ CD33, Ayre CX7e, Linn Unidisk 2.1. Also tried a number of other players in a second system: early Rotel and Denon (mid-late 80's), Adcom GCD 750, CAL Icon Mk II, Jolida JD-100, Music Hall Maverick, Musical Fidelity X-Ray v.3, Quad 99 CDP-1, NAD Master Series 05 CD/SACD player, and Linn Majik (incoming). What I think I'll end up with is the Ayre in my main system, which is balanced, and the Linn Majik in my second system. NAD SACD player will move between the two! |
1988 some basic Phillips CDP 1994 Harman Kardon HK7525 1998 Rega Planet Original (still have this one) 2004 Linn Classik 2004 Linn Genki 2004 Unison Unico CDP 2005 went back to Planet after being disappoinment by the Genki and Unico 2005 Audio Aero Prima MK II Well, only half as interesting as the Turntable history. Check that one out as well! Rene |
My first was a Magnavox CDP, no remote, "3-beam" pickup, bought new in 1987 from PC Richards. It is still in service(!) in my den. That was followed by a cast-away from my brother, a basic Teac unit, with remote. Actually, it was solidly built and listenable, but vieled. It is now in use in my computer-room system. Currently, I use a Rotel RCD-02, purchased new in 2002. Significantly better than the Teac, but probably my current weakest link. Upgrade planned for later this year. |
Cool thread.. Really makes you think back.. 1988 NEC Single Player..(Got me through College) 1990 Denon DCD-670 1991 Denon DCM-420 5 Disc Player 1992 Adcom GCD-575 1994 Pinoneer Elite PD-65 1998 Added a Theta DS Pro-Basic II DAC with D-60 Cable to the PD-65 and used it as a Transport. 2000 MicroMega Stage 6 2002 Sony XA-7ES 2004 Sony SCD-222ES Changer 2004 Cary CD-308 2005 Sony XA-777ES 2006 Electrocompaniet DAC-1 and Theta Miles Transport connected via D-60 Cable.. |
Tvad, if I had only known that you traded in your APL 3910 for the Exemplar 3910 it might have sped up my choice, as well, on the Exemplar. After all, you were so happy with your APL. Maybe it was the other way around? You made the switch after I purchased my Exemplar? I would love to know your impressions. Do you know what is going on with Alex now? I believe major (exciting) changes are under way. thanks in advance....warren :) |
Cool Thread... NEC Single Disc Player 1st Generation (Model???)1988 Adcom GCD-575 Denon DCM-420 Changer Pioneer Elite PD-65 Added a Theta Pro-Basic II DAC to the PD-65 via D-60 MicroMega Stage 6 Sony XA7ES Sony XA-777ES Purchased an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 DAC with both a Transport and Apple Airport Running into the DAC.. Chris |
1. Denon circa 1984 2. Pioneer DV 525, then modified 3. Cary 306/200 4. Burmester 001 5. Squeezebox2 -> Reimyo DAP777 (Ver.2) Now, the latest combination has been modified, including but not limited to, so that they are synched to one precise master clock. I don't think I will even think of upgrading the digital front end for a very very many years to come. |
Tvad, is your Exemplar Denon 3910 replacing your APL? I know you are a huge fan of APL. Could you share some of your listening impressions comparing the two? thanks in advance. warren :) Sorry for digressing a bit, Prehare, with your thread, because Tvad has asked me to never email him on the side. I must keep all in the open forum. thanks...:) |
Yonojo, no s**t! I just got my Elite CLD 97 back from the repair shop. I have a large collection of LD's, including some rare music LD's. I'm using an outboard DAC, and listen with a pretty good headphone rig. Years ago, I had a nice home theater set-up using the Elite SP-99D processor for AC-3 [Dolby Digital], as most LD's incorporated this, right towards the end of this format. Quite a few friends were more than impressed [so were my condo neighbors!] before the arrival of DVD with most folks getting a sub-par home theater. Had to break up the home theater when I moved. |
