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Cary 303/300 or Musical Fidelity A5 with Mac gear?

Looking to upgrade from my Arcam cd player. Looking for a better source to match my Mac MC-207 and C-2200. The Arcam is ok but it isn't the smoothest or the fullest sounding player out there. Does have good detail though. Looking for some insight from other Audiogon members. Have borrowed a Mac MCD-201 and like it. It is better that the Arcam but its fuctions are alittle odd. Went looking for an Ayre CX7e but was told that Ayre isn't producing them currently and will not take orders for any (by my local dealer). I am open minded too, for other options, but top loaders will not work in my system. Any thoughts?? Would like to keep it at or under 4k too. Thanks!
hawkeye43
steidlguitars
90 posts
 
I didn't like the A5 amp very much but I do like the A5 CDP.

Buying a DAC could certainly be a smart choice, especially if you wanted to try PC-based audio at some point where it would be offer some flexibility. I have a Paradisea that I use in my bedroom set-up.

Like CDPs, different flavors of DAC appeal to different tastes, so no simple decision there either!
wireless200
415 posts
 
I'd go with the Cary. I haven't owned one but every time I've heard a Cary CD player it sounded suprisingly good in the system. I've heard them sound great with Krell. I have Mc gear myself and I'd go with Cary or Rega if I were buying another CD player.
hawkeye43 OP
32 posts
 
Taking back the Mac MCD-201 tomorrow and my borrow a Primaire cd31. Many odd little issues with the Mac. Curious to see how it sounds. Read a good reivew of it in the absolute sound. But also considering the MF A5. Does anyone with Mac gear have one?

Thanks

David
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
I you search BCD-1 you'll find an old thread where I compared CDPs from Arcam, Rega, Naim, Primaire, Cambridge and Bryston. I found the Arcam to be the most analytical of the bunch. The Primaire struck me as smooth and musical. Highly competent and listenable, but lacking that ultimate extra something. As always, given system synergy, YMMV.
cgw
29 posts
 
I have a Cary 303/200 and two Cary 306/200's. I find they are much better than my Lavry DA10 DAC which is comparable to the Benchmark. The Cary 303/300 is meant to be even better sounding, but having a digital input is very important to me. I was very excited about the McIntosh MCD500 when I found out that it had digital inputs. I have not heard the MCD500 yet.
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