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CD vs CD/SACD Player – Tube-based or Not

Some of you might have read my previous threads asking for recommendations on CD/SACD player. That was roughly 6 months ago when I first started building my hi-fi system.
Now that I’ve settled on the back end of my system, I’ll finally select my digital source. My system consists of the following:

Harbeth C7-es3 on Sound Anchor (3-posts) speaker stands

Pass Labs XA30.5 – Power amp

Ayre K-1xe - Pre-amp

CD player – a modest 15-year old Philips CD player(the weakest link which I need to upgrade)

I want to get a CD or CD/SACD player that matches my system in terms of synergies, quality and performance. While I’ve done a lot of readings/research, it’s hard to narrow down on my selections before some fundamental questions are answered.

1. CD player vs CD/SACD player: my preference for music are vocal, some pop, classical (symphony, chamber), some rock, blue. I know the selection of musice in SACD is somehow limited.

2. Tube-based vs Solid State CD player: would my system benefit from tube-based CD player since both my pre- and power-amps are solid state? What’s the advantage and disadvantage of tube-based player? What’s the difference in sound?

3. So many choice in my price range (mostly used):

Ayon CD-5, CD-2s

Ayre C-7eMP, Ayre C-5eMP

Audio Research CD-7

BAK 51

Esoteric SA-50, X-05, X 03se, K-07

Luxman D06
SONY 5400ES, Sony 5400ES modified by Modwright (with tube output),

Oppo 95/105 modified by Modwright (with tube output)

4. I want to get a player with solid transport, digital output, balanced output(preferred); dynamic/solid bass, extended treble and most importantly fuller mid-range with great, accurate, lush presentation for vocal recordings.

What’re your recommendations and why? Thanks.
r0817
r0817 OP
55 posts
 
Batmobile, thanks for the detailed feedback. Also, thanks to others who posted their feedbacks.

As to Luxman, I thought if the unit needs service/repair, it will have to be sent back to Japan, which will take much longer time to turnaround and will be more expensive. Also, do you repair used ones not owned by the original owners? What's a fair price for a Luxman D06 players in excellent condition?

Would you take it over the Esoteric X03 SE SACD player? Thanks.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,842 posts
 
If the Luxman were bought stateside, it can be repaired, if under warranty. If not, i"d avoid it. Exoteric is nice but expensive. Like Batmobile says, you can try the Marantz SA-15S2b. I just got one and love it. Most of my listening so far is with CDs but having the option to play SACDs as well, and the robust build quality and power that the Marantz brings to the equation should win you over. I've never heard such resolution, layering and extension on CDs as with the Marantz.

Hope this helps.
All the best,
Nonoise
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Nonoise,
A number of comment on various forums support what you wrote about the upper level Marantz players. The Esoteric gets many raves but I find them to sound lean and clinical/analytical rather than natural/organic. Have you heard any Esoteric models, in particular the K series?
Regards,
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,842 posts
 
Charles1dad,
No, I haven't had the pleasure. For a long time I've read how wonderful they are and it's only been recently that the emperor shed some of his clothes. Some are now saying what you say about them: too clinical. It could very well be the context of the system or something as simple as cabling or preference, or just a house sound. A very expensive house sound.

All the best,
Nonoise
tweak1
3,660 posts
 
I have both a Oppo 105 and a Marantz HD CD 1, which I have used as a transport to the dac in my Audio Alchemy DDP 1 using a very expensive coax cable

My intent was to use the 105 for hi-rez discs and the trans/dac for redbook.


The weak link in the 105 is the cheap oem power supply. Replacing it with a Liner Power Supply available on Ebay (<$200) is fairly easy. It also improves redbook so much, I no longer use the Marantz

And because it has VVC I don't use a preamp anymore. 105 direct to my EVS 1200 which is an amazing class D amp


Tubes? I have had all tube systems, but I don't use them anymore, 


Im in Ft Lauderdale if you would like to hear it.
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