Ayre C5xe or APL 3910 ?

Interesting thread. Keis I didn´t know, that Boulder builds CDP´s ;)? Compared to the BAT and the Krell (which serious music lover listens with Krell??) the Boulder 1012 pre-amp with dac (you probably mean this unit) is in another stratosphere when connected to an adequate drive like Metronome or Esoteric.
Tvad: I havent compared the 3910 modded Denon to C-5xe but I for sure know at least three one box players that easily outperform the modded Denon: my Audio Aero Capitole MK II with mods, the Wadia 861 SE with GNSC Statement modes (light years away) and the Esoteric UX-1. There might be many others out there (Spectral, dcs, Goldmund, Metronome, Bladelious Gondul, etc, etc.) So its always very dangerous to say how good sth. is when you haven´t listend to the rest... But I agree with you the Denon is very hard to beat for the money although the looks, the build quality and the ergonomics are crap..
But I´ve heard some roomors that JRDG will release a matching multiformat player to their amps..

"I havent compared the 3910 modded Denon to C-5xe but I for sure know at least three one box players that easily outperform the modded Denon: my Audio Aero Capitole MK II with mods, the Wadia 861 SE with GNSC Statement modes (light years away) and the Esoteric UX-1. There might be many others out there (Spectral, dcs, Goldmund, Metronome, Bladelious Gondul, etc, etc.) So its always very dangerous to say how good sth. is when you haven´t listend to the rest."

so you're saying that you haven't compared the player in question, but you will give your opinion, while at the same time you'll caution tvad about doing the same? personally, i've heard the Audio Aero Capitole MK II, Wadia 861 SE and the Esoteric UX-1 in the same system and to my ears none of them came close to what APL 3910 could do. the other players are asthetically pleasing, but i want lifelike music from my system. ymmv.

What might have been the JRDG digital player was being designed as a side project by Rich Maez, who recently left JRDG for Boulder. That's my understanding anyway.

Quackfat: yes you´re right, I´ve compared the denon to the modded aa the modded wadia and the ux-1 not to the c-5xe. interestingly to your ears the inferior product (drive, casework, superclock, processor, damping, etc (denon). were superior to the ones I´ve auditionned - interesting ;)

"interestingly to your ears the inferior product (drive, casework, superclock, processor, damping, etc (denon). were superior to the ones I´ve auditionned - interesting ;)"

not true. the apl3910 and 2900 are complete redesigns. the transport and the case are the only thing left from the original denon. taken from the apl site:

1. R-Core (r) power transformer, Custom built to our specs in Japan. Same as found in many Japanese High-End Audio components. It has 10 times smaller magnetic stray field than any other transformer. It provides power source to our tube stage and the DAC board.

2. Various Power supply upgrades, including Shottky and HEXFRED, latest technology rectifiers specially selected for best sound, highest quality Voltage Regulating devices and highest quality Panasonic capacitors as we find them more neutral sounding.

3. Extensive Digital (DSP) board power supply and clock upgrades.

4. Our incredible new DAC board based on the latest Crystal/Cirrus Logic flagship CS4398 DAC chipset featuring non-decimating digital volume control built in with 0.5 db step and remote control. For more information please visit the DAC page here.

5. SE Triode, Pure Class "A" output stage built around the Super Linear 6H30pi Dual Triode. Originally designed for the Russian Space programs, this tube is the latest development in the Vacuum Tube industry. The tube stage is DC coupled to the DACs and transformer coupled at the output.

6. Unique Output transformers, Custom built to our specification in Europe by Lundahl - One of the Best Audio transformer manufacturers available in the World!

7. The new APL Hi-Fi Master Clock Generator.

8. Pure 99.9999% Solid Silver wiring for the signal path. Teflon insulated.

9. Transport upgrades and damping to prevent unwanted vibrations.

a) We are proud to announce that Herbie's Audio Lab HAL-O 9 damping products are now standard with our Tube mods. Please visit Herbie's Audio Lab for more details and information on a variety of damping products that make a big positive difference in every aspect of sound quality.

10. NO capacitors, NO op amps, NO negative feedback on the Analog signal path. Just one active (the tube) and one passive (the output transformer) components.

11. Point - to - point wiring for the Tube Stage and its power supply. No PC Boards! Just like a vintage, or very expensive modern tube amplifier!

and now he's gone to the akm dacs, which take this already amazing sounding player to an even higher level. so perhaps there's more to this than you thought? ;)