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CD player or CD transport ??

Hey All.... I'm looking to upgrade my CD playback by moving the duties from my Oppo player to a stand alone CD player.. It'll be connected to a pre-amp/processor before it hits the amplifier.. So my question is am I better off using the money to get an upper tier transport and relying on the DSP/DAC in the processor (currently Cary Audio Cinema12) or better to get a CD player because of the synergy that might occur in the design the maker made in the assembly/design of the unit ? I'm assuming the transport does no processing and only delivers the signal picked up from the CD... I have about the $2000 range...  Any suggestions on which model in the budget ?  I prefer it can do SACD too... Thanks
oem-wheels
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
There have been numerous posts on this site that suggest a used Marantz is  an excellent CD/SACD choice.
Charles,
jafant
19,009 posts
 

Marantz , Esoteric or Sony ES should be considered.

Happy Listening!

oem-wheels OP
196 posts
 
thanks guys... and thanks lowrider57 for that link.. i checked it out but that unit is in Europe.. USA only for me.. looks like CD player is the way to go so far.. I'd never thought I'd consider a Marantz again but seems like it might be a very good choice.. I used to own a Marantz AV7005 for my surround sound set up.. I liked it but when I had to down size to a 2-channel set up the sound became thin.. Long story short, Marantz customer service blows.. Bought the Cary and it sounds great..
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dbphd
1,624 posts
 
I'm guessing that for most  of the players being discussed, using HDMI out and letting a Cary Cinema 12 do the analog would result in excellent sound.  In one of my setups, I use HDMI from an Oppo 105 to a Cary C12 that goes balanced to a Parasound A 21 driving a pair of KEF LS50s.  The sound is excellent.

oem-wheels OP
196 posts
 
dbphd....  that's pretty much what I'm doing right now. Oppo 93 - Cary C12 - Classe CA2100 - Paradigm Studio10.. Sounds good.. But numerous threads says despite what the Oppo can bring there's no comparison to having a stand alone CD player..  
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