2. digital
  3. 126291-87346

Last CD player?

Earlier this year, I bought a Bryston 4BSST2 power amp and a Bryston BP26 pre amp.  Recently I purchased a pair of PMC fact 12 speakers.  Both produced a marked increase in sound quality.

My source at the moment is a Meridian 588 cd player, which is about 12 years old.  The transport was repaired about 2 years ago, and some capacitors replaced.  I play only redbook cds, but I may look into downloading hi-rez files later.

I am wondering if buying a new cd player would produce another big improvement in sound quality.  My budget is between £5,000 and £10,000.  I have read glowing reviews of the Moon 650D and the Esoteric K05x and K03x.  The latter is rather at the extreme end of my budget, and I am curious if it is hugely better than the K05x.

I am trying to build a see-me-out system, so durability is important.  The gear I bought earlier has a 20-year warranty, which inspires confidence.  Esoteric products have a warranty of just 1 year.

I would be grateful for any opinions or suggestions.

Thanks,
Paleo12
paleo12
nordicnorm
313 posts
 
Buying an external DAC gives you more options. You can pair it with a (relatively) cheap transport. Since the CD mechanisms are the part that fails most often, you can just replace the transport as required.

You can also stream hi-res files through it.

I just upgraded from a Sony S9000ES to an Esoteric DV-50S.

For redbook CD I ran the digital out from the Sony into a Teac UD-501 DAC. It came very close to the redbook performance of the Esoteric (SACD however, was not even close).

Within your budget range, there are a lot of very high quality DACs to choose from. I would recommend looking at Lampizator DACs.
meerzistar
232 posts
 
Try sampling some new DACs. Finding one that plays nice with the Meridian and other components is key. Perhaps just take the player to an authorized meridian technician for a check up and a fresh dab of lube on moving parts.

Sounds like your happy with the new amps. I do believe the PMCs are voiced with bryston amplifiers, unless that changed. One DAC to consider, well within budget   http://bryston.com/products/digital_audio/BDA-3.html

Just because its a Bryston pairing doesnt mean you will be as happy with it, Im not suggesting that to be so. But its one to look at. 
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
Paleo 
Another piece of gear that I am using with Bricasti is the Melco N 1. It has 2 terabytes of storage plus you add more external. It is made by a company called Buffalo out of Japan. It only costs 2K usd and rather then a transport Buffalo makes a CD Blue Ray Burner that I purchase from Office Depot, you can get them anywhere. $150 use. Crazy cheap and the Melco recognizes it and sorts all them music. I purchased a small I Pad and loaded a free software called Music Life from Arcam. I am in Digtal heaven now.
This review gives you whole picture better then I can.

http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/melco-ha-n1a-part-1/

Jim
paleo12 OP
44 posts
 
Thanks.  I was having a look at the Melco for when I decide to download and store tracks, rather than listen just to cds.  Good to hear you're happy with it.

My local hi-fi shop is getting the Bricasti in soon, and I hope to be able to listen to it in my own system.  The guy was also recommending the A + T PDP 3000HV cd player, which would be quite a bit more expensive.
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
Well keep in mind the Bricasti revels nuances in the music is not forward or abrupt as so many players and DAC's. Don't know your speakers. Mine are extremely reveling without being forward, thin and bright. If your speakers are not on the transparent end of things then the Bricasti may not reveal itself as great. Those nuances may get lost in the smog. But the Bricasti will take you into the future rest assured. 
More to discover