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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
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
whitewind
23 posts
 
I have listened extensivly to the CDSD/DCC2 combination and wasn't overly impressed.

True - the sound is grainless and the resolution is excelent, but to me the EMM combo is too much on the cold/analitical side to my ears.

The latest dCS Verdi LaScala/Elgar Plus with Verona external clock, that my close friend ended buing, sounded just so much more natural, although at almost twice the price.

Based on that expirience, I would seriusly consider the latest dCS integrated player or the Reymio, everyone is raving about (although I have personally not heard it).
hooper
396 posts
 
Whitewind:

The dCS gear is absolutely state of the art, but it's interesting: I had the exact opposite impression as you. I compared the full dCS stack with the EMM DCC2/CDSD combo in my system, and I thought the EMM had superior resolution and dynamics, and was a good deal more natural sounding. (I find that it's stunning clarity often gets confused with coldness or brightness.) Also, the EMM accomplishes with two components what the dCS needs four to do. That's not a small consideration for the space-challenged among us. Just my humble opinion, of course.
deb_berkowitz
21 posts
 
No1willfan - there are many players that are not Meitner-sounding. Many of the ones that you mention are great, including the modded DV50 and Wadia 861.

Funny how some set the Meitner as the height of their bar.

A competent man, no matter how loud he shouts and tries to make his business look bigger or better out of financial considerations would not have to resort to self-promotion like the one is obviously doing at every lame opportunity here, do you think? I'm getting rather tired of him...
Deb
hooper
396 posts
 
Deb:

To whom are you referring as the man who has to "resort to self-promotion like the one is obviously doing at every lame opportunity here." I'd be curious to know.
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