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Ruminations On CD Players

After multiple factory rebuilds, I'm ready to replace my twenty year old Arcam CD-73 CD player.  I've looked through lists of recommended CD players in the $2000 range, and have noticed that some are all-inclusive while others have separate transports and DACs.  Other than ease of replacement, what are the benefits of having the transport and DAC separate?  Any recommendations on CD players in this price range?  I only have music CDs so don't need anything that can do more than that.

 

Thanks,

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN

jrcotner
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,424 posts
 

+1 @lalitk 

I use Jay's cdt2-mk3 CD transport with Gustard x26 pro dac which is also running my innuos zenith mk3 streamer. It all sounds equally great. Build for the future!

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 

I have an Ayre all silver disc player....I love it

simao's avatar
simao
1,822 posts
 

Pair a Denafrips DAC with a good Rotel or an Oppo 105 (if you can find one) and call it a day. 

mrskeptic
262 posts
 

The only real plus for separates is ease of upgrade but plenty of people believe that separates of any type (pre-amp/amp vs integrated) will sound better but without a way to verify it. Of course the huge negative is cost as well as more connection points to introduce noise. 

wolf_garcia
6,704 posts
 

Try the new Schiit "URD" CD transport (just released, USA made of course) as they seem to know what they're doing, and if you use it with the Bifrost 2/64 (I have one...sounds excellent) you can utilize their own "unison" USB connection and get there for 2100 bucks or so. 

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