Goose,
I was in the market for a new cdp also when my audio research cd2 bit the dust on me. I listened at lenght to the Ayre and Bryston players and preferred the Ayre. The Bryston did not do anything wrong and sounded quite nice for the money, but the Ayre was and improvement I feel across the board. The Ayre was more lively sounding with more of a forward sound, but was cleaner with a bigger soundstage.The system consisted of the Ayre mono block amps with a Levenson pre and Thiel 3.7 speakers.
I must add though that at the same audition I preferred the Linn Majik player over the Ayre on that system and on Jazz music.
My listening was done by the way at Gifted listerner audio in Centreville Virginia near the D.C. area. I forgot the gentleman who was the owner who spent time with me but I must say it was a most enjoyable time, no pressure, took his time , I felt very comfortable and could just listen to the music. A rare dealer in this high pressure time.
Good Luck!
I was in the market for a new cdp also when my audio research cd2 bit the dust on me. I listened at lenght to the Ayre and Bryston players and preferred the Ayre. The Bryston did not do anything wrong and sounded quite nice for the money, but the Ayre was and improvement I feel across the board. The Ayre was more lively sounding with more of a forward sound, but was cleaner with a bigger soundstage.The system consisted of the Ayre mono block amps with a Levenson pre and Thiel 3.7 speakers.
I must add though that at the same audition I preferred the Linn Majik player over the Ayre on that system and on Jazz music.
My listening was done by the way at Gifted listerner audio in Centreville Virginia near the D.C. area. I forgot the gentleman who was the owner who spent time with me but I must say it was a most enjoyable time, no pressure, took his time , I felt very comfortable and could just listen to the music. A rare dealer in this high pressure time.
Good Luck!