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Absolute Best CD Players Out There Under $12k ?

Ok, I'm looking to upgrade my CD Player. It's the last part of my uber-headphone system and I'm hoping to get the best player possible for under $12k used. I know that affords me alot of options, and I imagine I'll do some travelling and testing before I buy, but I wanted some opinions first. Right now, these are the main ones I'm considering:

*Reimyo CDP-777
*Linn Sondek CD12
*Naim CDS3/XPS2
*Wadia 270/27
*Wadia 861se w/Statement mod from GNSC
*Meridian 808
*EMM Labs Meitner CDSD/Dac6
*Esoteric DV-50 with full mods from Reference Audio Mods
*Classe Omega SACD

I'm not so much into characteristics - the overall performance is more important for me. But I do need a player with great bass (both in extension, detail, and volume) as my headphones are a bit bass shy. Any reviews/comparisons would be much appreciated.
no1willfan
beemer
444 posts
 
I had the Wadia 270/27ix combo. I demo'd a Levinson 389S and immediately sold the Wadia combo. Now the 390S is in a second system and I have the Levinson 30.6 dac, and I use my Sony SCD-777ES as a transport.

To me, the Wadia house sound is grainy and has a sheen on it that is rather unpleasant.

Players I've liked:

BAT VKD5
BAT VKD5SE
Cal Audio Icon MKII (years back)
Gamut CD player
Levinson 390S

Try as many as you can. The more things change with digital sources the more they stay the same. Think of it as flavors of ice cream. Will you pay more for buttercrunch or chocolate chip?

Best,

Paul :-)
sd2005gt
89 posts
 
I have heard good things about APL Denon 3910. You can look up my recent thread on this issue.
fatcataudio
107 posts
 
Great Northern Sound Resolution Audio Opus 21..................you have to hear it to believe it!
budrew
467 posts
 
My favorite headphone digital is the Wavelength Audio Cosine DAC with a good transport (consider Audio Note's new CDT2/II) though the DAC may lack ultimate bass depth. Or an Audio Note DAC. Also consider a Wavelength Audio USB DAC. That's what my new headphone system is: USB. ALL that music right there!
aplhifi
515 posts
 
From your list of stock units I'd pick the CDSD/DAC6 or DCC2 without second thought.

There are some to tell you that EMM is not that great. It is because they are not aware of the DRAMATIC improvement (night and day) the new CDSD transport is compared to the previous Philips SACD1000 based EMM transport.

Regards,
Alex
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