HDCD 'best one box player' recommendations?

For the price, a used Cary 306/200 is pretty hard to beat especially if you're already running a tube pre or tube amp. alot of folks think it still beats the new 303/300.

I second the Cary rec, the 306/200 looks like a steal at used prices. Also if your system is Accuphase it goes without saying that Accuphase makes some pretty amazing players. I don't know if they support hdcd, but I have to say I don't really get why you have to have it? There are so many great players that are ruled out for an enhancement that present in maybe 5% of all dics? Anyway good luck and as always happy listening!

The only CDP and DACs I know of that don't just use the "standard" HDCD decoding chip are the the Levinsons, which use a proprietary chip made just for them. The 390S is I believe their latest stand alone player.

Otherwise, the proprietary software in the newer Wadia CDPs and DACs reputedly do a better job than the Pacific Microsonics licensed chip (except there's no HDCD indicator when you play one.)

I love the HDCD reproduction even through my older (1000) Wadia DAC, and can now tell when an unmarked (on the album) HDCD disc is playing.

And with Keith Johnson having just ressurected Reference Recordings (www.referencerecordings.com), the new discs he's producing (@ $16.50 apiece!) are a real buy!

I have an EAD Signature processor and am very familiar with the warm intimate textured sound of your EAD with HDCD, but I bought a Theta Compli Universal player which is really amazing in the same ways as your EAD is but is definitely better. The Accuphase cd player is another good recommendation but might be too much of a good thing (a little syrupy). If you like the EAD sound you won't care for the ultra detailed thin Levinson sound.. the Wadia is more delicate and detailed (I've owned Wadia also and like but some of the newer stuff is better on the market)