Aqua 'La Diva' ($9k) or Gryphon 'Ethos' ($39k) versus. Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T ($3k)?
What sensible rationale is there for buying either of the two above-mentioned VERY COSTLY CD spinners (Aqua ’La Diva,’ a CD-only transport, and the Gryphon ’Ethos,’ a CD player with built-in DAC) when we can get the same pure Red-Book CD digital output from the Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T for FAR less money?
What is a potential buyer getting for their significantly increased expenditure other than fancy packaging and possibly a boost to their egos from ownership of a prestige brand-name item? The one component (and a crucially-significant one at that) which all three of these products have in common is the new Philips-based Stream Unlimited CD Pro 8 CD player mechanism. Aside than that, what one appears to get with the two far-higher-priced components is little more than pure window-dressing, not substantive gains in performance over the CD Box RS2 T.
It is little wonder that one reviewer of the RS2 T thinks of it as nothing less than a "giant killer," in that it makes it nearly impossible for any level-headed purchaser, even one with the means to spend lavishly, to rationalize spending thousands of dollars more on these two competing products (or on others like them) when one can get the same sonic results (which from most reports are splendid) from the humble little CD Box.
Any thoughts? Do we audiophiles finally have good reason to come to our buying senses? To me, Pro-Ject Audio Systems may have struck a true winning vein with their CD Box when prospecting for gold.
Charles, glad you asked! I did drive both cars in 2004 and the Porsche was very comfortable but slow as molasses at 9+ seconds 0-60; R32 around 5 seconds. Cayenne with the turbo 8 cyl was quick enough but twice the $$$. erictal, it's worth noting that the average new car price was $46,329- in November! |
@ notlistening: Interesting point you make: my guess is that Elon Musk and his Tesla brand of electric cars (and the move toward electric-powered cars in general) are driving up the average new-car price. I know it’s off-topic, but with respect to transitioning from gas-fueled to electric cars, "range anxiety" plus the time it takes to fully recharge an electric car versus "gassing up" a petrol vehicle, remain full game-stoppers for me. Hybrids currently offer us the best climate vs. practical convenience option we have right now. |
Thanks. The comparison between the two vehicles you test drove weren't nearly as close as the two transport comparison mentioned above. Lucky for us music lovers. 😊 @erictal4075 a friend of mine recently purchased the MSB Select II, a 3 chassis (2 power supplies) DAC that retails for 100K and he is very happy with it and I'm happy for him. We all find the market niche that suits our desires and comfort zone . Charles |
OMG I've got a massive hard on for rich people and I'm just a poor person on a hifi forum and I've got a secret I paid $15k USD for a pair of interconnects once, does that make me bad? Should i have given the money to Bob Geldof or Sting? Listen Douche go and have a listen if you don't think you're getting your $39K's worth just tell them you're going for a dump and don't go back. |
No, lordmelton, your buying those $15k interconnects didn’t magically transform you into a ’bad’ person in any way. It’s far more likely that you might have been scammed out of your hard-earned money, but as charles1dad has pointed out, that is for you to decide. I do have to wonder why some audio gear is priced as astronomically highly as it is ($100k for a DAC). The audiophile world is reknowned in some quarters for its unrestrained extravagance. Take a look at the INVICTUS NEO record turntable, listed at US$189,995.00. Invictus Neo - Acoustic Signature That price is for the turntable alone. You want a tone arm for it? Then you’ll pay more. Fortunately, most of us manage very well with far less costly gear. The Pro-Ject CD Box RS2 T is a stellar example of a truly excellent value-for-money purchase. |
