Advice needed re: new CD player purchase

I considered the Bryston in my search as well--a good choice if you can't afford an Esoteric

but I don't regret for a second my purchase of a Marantz KI Ruby sacd--you might find one still (limited production) and the price is quite reasonable for the quality 

It's the last player I'll buy I hope 

It is said " if it is not broken - don't fix it ". PLEASE - trust your ears.  Apart...."better the devil you know than the one you don't " VIVA LA MUSICA !

The issue isn't your CD player.  It's in the DAC inside your CD player.   Take the optical output into a good DAC and you're done.   Balanced connectors are meaningliness unless you're running long lines.

But if you're totally intent on spending more than you need to, the PS Audio Directstream DAC is probably a good move.  Has balanced outputs and doesn't use any off the shelf IC-DAC chips.  All fo the work is done in software, which they can update.  No need to be concerned with outdated hardware.

Just bought a used Audio Research player after years of high end computer audio. I think it sounds fantastic but have always been an Audio Research fan. My main consideration in buying a mint used product was......are they still around and do they stand behind their products. That's just me. We all have our preferences.

OP, reminder, it doesn’t play SACD. For me: forget my SACD’s (from my CD Quest)

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****** Integra CDC-3.4, Mark 2 ******** It’s BY FAR the WINNER!

Last night I realized: It’s like I was given more than 4K new CDs free with the unit. The distinctness I described above just adds up in so many ways. It’s taken me a few years to get here, I am so glad I didn’t give up.

I prowled the small clubs in NJ and NYC twice a week for live music for over 20 years. Yesterday I listened to many musicians/singers I have seen live and also many local musicians I know well. I couldn’t be happier.

A great example, final one last night, is Willie Nelson, Teatro Album. One of my favorites, surprisingly better. New respect for Daniel Lanois and all the performers.

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Denon 2910. Close but no Cigar.

Like the Integra it is more distinct than the Sony, however it’s salad of dual burr brown dacs and Denon’s mix of additives: over sampling, clock, jitter, .... produces a slight brightness compared to the Integra.

i.e. Emmylou Harris’s voice, Jose Feliciano strings, Melissa Etheridge, Tierney Sutton .... high frequency piano and violin notes, like many good individual things adding up, here that very slight aspect adds up.

Others may love it.

I have wide dispersion horn tweeters, just balanced via sound meter and new L-Pads, so, combined with the Denon’s excellent distinctness, these speakers reveal this slight brightness more than some speakers/systems/rooms might. It may sound terrific thru another system/speakers/space, the Integra could be a bit dull compared to the Denon in that situation.

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I am done, and will keep my eye out for another Integra. MARK 2.

I never heard mark 1, so I can only say great things about my Mark 2. How to know: It uses remote control rc-778c, ’squarer’ outside corners, and has a suffix letter M after the serial #. Newer date made is shown on serial number tag is also a hint.

Original (unidentified as Mark 1) use remote rc-553c, same key layout, but rounded outside corners

customer service should be able to tell you from the serial #

service@11tradingcompany.com