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Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player

I know cds are dead.  Best time to buy a cd player, the way it looks.  I want an all in one box.  I don't stream so a separate DAC is not required.  Most of my cd collection have been ripped to a PC as Flac files and then down loaded to a Sony HAP-Z1ES.  Currently about 3000 Redbook and perhaps 100 SACDs.  The way cds are being dumped I figure on becoming a buyer again so these numbers will go up.  I have looked at Marantz SA10, Esoteric K1 (lightly used), and Luxman D-10X, so far.  It would be good if the sound could approach vinyl.  The Z1 does up to a point.  Listening this morning to the same recordings, the Z1 compares to a high end MM cartridge, but not to a SoundSmith Experion.  Maybe I am asking too much, but in any event a new cd player is being sought.  Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bill
billstevenson
mahler123
3,650 posts
 
Budget?
Dont overlook Bryston.  I have the DAC, and I love it.  Very open, natural, no glare.  I have heard the Hegel once at Axpona and that was my general impression as well.  I don’t care for the Marantz house sound and their customer service is terrible.
  I can’t afford Esoteric or T/A, but if you can look there
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,800 posts
 
Bill,

Among your choices, Luxman D-10X has the best analog like sound due to its D/A converter. The built quality is outstanding. Esoteric toss around here a lot but to my ears its players are no where near analog sounding as Luxman.

I would also take a look at Accuphase DP-750, it’s what I call the end game SACD/CD transport.

https://www.accuphase.com/cat/dp-750_e.pdf
elliottbnewcombjr
5,964 posts
 
Just did what you are going to do. It got me back to enjoying my CD’s as well as my Vinyl.

I kept cost down by going for a used Oppo bdp-105. Good advice and praise for it here, many good reviews like this one

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/oppo-bdp-105

Also great praise for Oppo bdp 205, I went for 105’s lower cost.

They have very convenient remote volume, and ’Pure Audio’ mode as well as dual processors ....

For CD only, the full function remote is quite large if that makes a difference to you.

Laser Life: IF you go for a used unit of any maker: find out how much it has been used, the lasers eventually weaken, then you get ’no disc’, ... other error messages. It’s not what year it was made, it’s how much the laser was used. I had to return one for that reason, bought this one from original owner with very low use assured.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,964 posts
 
I don't stream, know nothing, but some Oppo's can be used as DAC I think.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,571 posts
 
To all the people here who have commented, have you actually heard the units you are/are not recommending or are you going by what you have read about them?  My recommendation was based on solid evidence and I have heard the Luxman and Marantz. No comparison to Esoteric.  Esoteric makes transports other high end manufacturers buy.  
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