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Comparing these CD players with my gear...

Hi folks, 

I'm always messing around with CD players. A longtime audio friend of mine says I have a CD fetish... well, he's probably right. In a medium that is slowly dying, I'm still spinning discs more than ever. I stream too, but there still something awesome about taking a CD or LP and placing it in/onto a machine to play the sweet music we all love. 

Anyway, in my latest jaunt for something new, I've put together my latest list of players that have caught my eye for one reason of another. My gear consists of a Creek 4330SE integrated amp and Vandersteen 2C speakers. Cables are DH Labs Q-10's and Air Matrix interconnects. 

So what are your thoughts/impressions/comments on the synergies of the following CD players and how they would sound with my gear. I'm most curious about the Naim, Cambridge Audio and Myryad. 

Naim CD3.5
Cambridge Audio 840c
Myryad MCD600
Cal Audio Labs Icon mkII Power Boss
Marantz CD6006 (or CD6005)
Rotel RCD-1072




jsbach1685
rhljazz
1,253 posts
 

Personally, I have a preference for old Sony ES models from the 90's. They are built like a tank, 40 lbs plus..  Currently using an X779 ES as a transport.  It was purchased over 17 yrs ago for 350.00.  The Sony continues to run long after the Linn Karik bit the dust. 

I use the Hugo as the dac for the Sony with a Tara RSC digital cable  and Morrow Ma 3 interconnects.  This is redbook at its best.  

The Oppo 105D is unlistenable in comparison.  BTW the Sony is a better transport than the Oppo as well. 

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
You would do well to consider the Marantz SA8005. $1200 new. Great sounding, well-built stock player that can be upgraded by Dan Wright of Modwright Instruments Inc..  Their "Signature Truth" mod is amazing!
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Cal Audio Labs Icon mkII Power Boss is about as good as the Oppo 103 -- but does not play SACDs, etc. just HDCD

I would blind test the newest Oppo against a few others in your own system - they will give you 2-5 weeks to do that.

Start working up a CD with your test music
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
Look for older Sony ES and Pioneer Elite DV series CD/SACD/DVD players. They have excellent transports and optical mechanisms, plus the use the highly regarded Burr-Brown DACs. As mentioned before they are overbuilt, heavy and great looking.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

NAIM AUDIO CD3.5  = TDA1305  CDM12.5 / VAM1205


CAMBRIDGE AUDIO azur840c  =   AD1955A  Sanyo SF-P101N


MYRYAD MCD600 = CS4396-KS  KSS-213C


California Audio Labs Icon mk II HDCD = 2 x PCM1702 – PMD100

Panasonic RAE0113Z



MARANTZ CD6005 = CS4398  Sanyo SF-P101N



ROTEL RCD-1072 = PCM1732  KSS-213C / KSS-213CL


Looking at the dac converter chips, and transports/lasers, for Redbook cd replay.

 I'd go for the CAL Icon, it's got a very good Burr Brown PCM1702 Multibit chip, and the HDCD PMD100 filter chip.


Cheers George  


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