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My Last CD player

I like my vinyl but digital has its own set of benefits. When my last CD player fell of its perch, I move to streaming audio.  Overall, I have been happy with this decision.  I did notice that lately, a number of posters have been claiming that CD is “better” than streaming.  I figured that most of these were flat earthers. I recently had the opportunity to listen to a “new generation” CD player on a friends system.  I am not sure I would say it was better but it was different and in a very good way.  As I have an extensive CD collection, this set me off to evaluate a new CD player for my system .... at my age presumably the last I will own.  I have identified a few different used players that seem to check the short list boxes: Audio Research cd 7 SE, Ayon cd10 Signature II Ultimate, Ayon cd35 Signature I and Luxman 

D-06u.  I am auditioning the Ayon cd10 at home .... smooth, natural, musical, holographic image, but light on dynamics and soundstage. Anyone have experience with these players?  Any other suggestions?

chilli42
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,170 posts
 
To truly get top digital you need to spent a minimum of around $6k 
with usb cable and dac ,. I have owned sub $4 k dacs they are respectable but to go to the next level like denafrips terminator ,+
holosprings May dac they are all in the $5 k range + and many R2R dacs are much more still. And if streaming at least $2k just for a streamer like a LUMIN u1,if using  computer audio theJcat Femto  ethernet card, and usb card, linear power supplies.
if you want naturalness and ultra  detail it cost $$ .
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Try an accuphase or a luxman or if you can find one a wadia made prior to 2000 they will all give you excellent sound and the dynamics that most players lack.
bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
I would suggest an Onkyo C-7030.  In addition to being a quite good CD player with a superior DAC chipset, it has coax and optical outputs if an external DAC would be used.  

I bought one quite some time ago and was very satisfied with the player.  I moved on to an external DAC and the C-7030 works well as a transport.
chicagoblue1977's avatar
chicagoblue1977
224 posts
 
Simaudio 260D Transport only use a stand alone DAC much better sound. Also the Audiolab 6000CDT is quite nice and very affordable and is a transport only.
ticr
5 posts
 
If money is not an issue I suggest you give a try to the dCS Rossini Player, it is one of the best DAC-CD transport combination units that money can buy
https://www.dcsltd.co.uk/products/rossini-player/
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