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CD Player: "Love at First Listen" recommendation

Hi,

I was interested in opinions on (unmodified) CD players that you loved the very first time you heard it.

In other words, it was new to your ears (there was no "burn in" period).

Also, you knew you had to have it before you could feel pressure to like it just because of any of the following: 1) the high cost, 2) the perception of the particular brand, 3) peer pressure, or 4) connection to the manufacturer or store.

Any price (but under $4K)

Thanks!
darsue
bearotti
164 posts
 
Three that caught my ear on first listen recently (I try and listen to a whole lot of equipment)...These were the Linn Mimik the Rega Planet 2000 and the McIntosh MVP-841...There is a Mimik on the gon for $350 right now...well below your asking price...the mac is a lot more and the Planet is in the middle. The only thing I can say is get something new, if it doesn't wow you in the first few minutes, box it up and sell it off and get something else to try!

You might also try working with DACs...A lot of great DACs out there...I have owned a few in the $500-1200 range that really were fantastic pieces and just require a so-so transport.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
BAT VK-D5, 7 or 8 years ago. First time that a cd player 'stunned' me with it's performance.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Raysonic CD 128. A friend raved about it. I couldn't believe it sounded as good as he said it did. But he was right. Even sounds better to me playing the CD layer of SACDs than my Sony XA777ES did playing the SACD layer. Dave
slikric3000
638 posts
 
I had a Roksan I thought was pretty good, I would buy another.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
The Resolution Audio CD-50 did exactly what you describe for me with the first cd. I distinctly remember thinking, this is what they mean when they say this "sounds like analog." After a couple of years it sounds just as good.
My Linn Genki has a similar quality but I was more prepared for it.
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