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CD player in the $2,500 to $5,000 range

I sold my old system (Bryston, MG 3.6r, Oracle Delphi, Parasound CD player) and have been working on putting together a simpler and smaller system. With advice from others on Audiogon, I bought a lovely pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors, and a Cary SLI-80 Signature. Now I need to pick a CD player.

I listen to primarily piano music, opera, and chamber music (plus a smattering of jazz, from time-to-time). I don't give a darn about the "hi-fi experience." Grain free, no fatigue, timber accuracy, is what I value.

I'm thinking:

Ayre CX-7e
Meridian G08
AR CD3
Marantz SA 11s1

Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

MMC
msmcelwee
lowfidelity
40 posts
 
Have a look/listen to the Consonance Droplet CDP as well. Here is the 6moons review:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/droplet/cdp5.html

Enjoy!
yr44
57 posts
 
Pick up a used MBL 1511 DAC. Or the 1531 CDP. They're listed on the 'Gon. I don't think you can do any better than these two.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1137451087

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlplay&1136756566

Disclaimer: I am in no way related to these sellers or to MBL, I'm just an owner of a product of theirs. :)
pardales
652 posts
 
If you don't want SACD I would seriously consider maximizing redbook with a redbook only player. Of the players you have listed I have heard the G08 and thought it great. Others have recommended some nice players as well. I agree with everyone who is suggesting to go with the companies who offer you the opportunity to demo players in your own system for 30 days. Lot more to gain than to lose with that.

If you decide you want SACD I would spend a lot of money on a really good DAC and buy a decent SACD player (used) as the transport.
newmanoc
295 posts
 
"Yes, I ... have owned over 35 sources in the past 2 years. These are my personal favorites."

711smilin:
If you are so inclined, and haven't done so elsewhere, would you please list the 35 plus sources you have owned in the past two years, and if you feel like it, some brief comments about your impressions of them? Of course everyone has different tastes, but I think I (and others) could benefit greatly from your experience. I haven't been able to audition anything like this many, much less own them.
danlib1
819 posts
 
Based on my conversations with Steve, I'll bet he can't even REMEMBER all the sources he's had :)

I got one of his cast offs a year ago and I'm still in love with it!
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