Primare CD31 with 1704 chip

Have you considered the Bryston BCD-1? IMHO it's the leader in the price range you specified.

I listened to the CD31 and thought it very good. Very listenable over the long term. Similar feelings about the Naim CD5x. But--admittedly in another system--I prefered the Cambridge 840c to both of those (more air), and then the Bryston to the Cambridge. Bryston=more robust, and a (cliche alert!) veil being lifted.

More than the differences between chips, I'm coming to the conclusion that the (certainly a) crucial element for CD players is how the analog output stages are handled, after all the decoding, and in this the Bryston is second to none.

Its supposed to be a really good chip as far as those things go.

Twoleftears

Thanks. I looked into the Bryston BCD-1 on the Bryston website. Very nice. Also read a few positive reviews.

Coincidentally, I recently had a conversation with a tech as to the importance of the analog output. He feels it is a key factor. I'm a tyro so I'm not sure why.

I must say that I'm enjoying the hunt.

Respectfully

When is it easier to play a Cd?I found the opposite to be true lately since the changeover,cheers,Bob

Bob

I don't have a very large ripped library as of yet and keep some key discs near. Have you pretty much abandoned using a player? I feel I may be heading in that direction. What sort of dac are you using? Are you familiar with some of the different dac chips?

Thanks