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Advice needed re: new CD player purchase

Hello everyone. New member but long-time lurker here. My system: Bryston 4B-ST amp, Bryston BP25 preamp, and Meridian 508.24 CD player (all purchased in 1998 and all performing flawlessly), Kimber KCAG balanced interconnects, Audioquest speaker cable, and Esoteric power cords. I have Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers.

I have about 4500 CDs (about 3% of which are hybrid SACDs). I love my system, but I want a new CD player. Am I right to think that advances in audio technology over the last 24 years have left my Meridian in the dust, sonically speaking? So I have been looking at various players. A few parameters: I will only buy new; I want XLR outputs; and I’d prefer to not spend over 5k.

I’m looking hard at the Bryston BCD-3, and the Technics SL-G700. Having owned Bryston products now for almost 24 years, I’m extremely impressed by their build quality and performance. However, the BCD-3 is not an SACD player. I’ve read a few solid reviews of the Technics, but I’m suspicious of their long-term reliability. There are no dealers where I live or within 200 miles. I looked at the Marantz line, and their only player with balanced outputs is the SA-10, which I’ve heard is awesome but I’m unwilling, at this point, to pay $7500 (although my mind is not closed on the matter).

Anyone here have either the Bryston or the Technics player? Will I notice a marked improvement with a new player (as compared to my 508.24)? Like most of you, this is my life. After work, I listen 2-3 hours per day, sometimes more on weekends. Thanks in advance for your advices.
jeroboam
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,721 posts
 

jjss49

Thank You! for the follow up. PM sent.

 

Happy Listening!

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,721 posts
 

gradyjames

 

Yes, Bryston offers 5-years warranty on the BCD-3. Plus, actually stocks critical parts for this model (unlike the original BCD-1).

 

Happy Listening!

axo0oxa
98 posts
 

The Bryston DAC I have sounds great and I believe the CD player uses the same chips so that, certainly from my experience with their DAC, would be a great choice. I however agree that a transport and a separate DAC would give great flexibility and including an upgrade path were you just need to change out the DAC as that technology gets better. As mentioned the transport section is prone to issues as it ages so having to only replace a transport will be less expensive that one that includes your DAC. Another benefit, one day you may decide to stream your digital collection or even from a high end streaming service such as Qobuz or Tidal and the DAC will work into that arrangement nicely. I for one prefer separates over one box with everything in it.

holes3's avatar
holes3
19 posts
 

simaudio moon series.  very well made and sound fabulous...cant go wrong

jeroboam OP
24 posts
 

Thanks, all, for the advice. As I mentioned originally, only a small portion (3%) of my discs are SACD. I would love to have true SACD capability, but not at double the price of a top red-book player. Having owned Bryston power for 24 years now, I trust their products, which is why I'm looking hard at the BCD-3. But I'm also looking hard at the Technics player, the SL-G700, which DOES offer true SACD playback (along with CD ... and streaming, which has no appeal for me). The warranties on both the Bryston and the Technics are the same, with the Technics being about $1000 less than the Bryston. Decisions decisions ....

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