Upgrading cd player
I thinking about upgrading my Rega Isis CDP. I’m thinking about the Audio Research Ref 9se or the McIntosh MCD1200. Can anyone give me any thoughts / options on this ? Also I heard that Audio Research stopped production on the Ref 9se due to not being able to get the lasers anymore / that Phillips stopped making them ? I would also rather stick to a one box unit than separates. Ty. Also if anyone else can recommend anything also I would appreciate it. My budget is up at about 12k
There's the Audionet Art G5. It's a top loader that uses the Streams Unlimited CD Pro8 drive that Pro-Ject uses in their CDP, as well as Gryphon and Acoustic Arts but the last two go for well over your budget limit whereas the Art G5 is about $1000 under it. Digital food for thought. All the best, |
@nonoise Thanks for the info. What do u think of the Mc MCD12000 ? |
It’s been a long time since an Audio Research component was in my system. I had a preamp from the early 2000s that I was the third owner. I enjoyed it but sold it when I was going through a divorce and saw it listed for a thousand more than I had paid for it, so at least back then they were holding their value. I have to say the one Mac CD/SACD player that I heard sometime before the pandemic didn’t do much for me when I had it in my system for weekend. I prefered the Oppo 105 that I was thinking of replacing, although the Mac had a bigger soundstage and looked nice, the Oppo sounded more realistic to me. The Mac was big and hazy and I thought really poor value for money. Things change in digital, so my comments may or may not be relevant, except that both labels are known for cultivating a house sound. If you can’t audition in your own system, I’d get the ARC, and forgo the pretty glass and meters on the Mac |
@mahler123 Thanks for the response. I also was thinking the same as u said. About if I can’t demo the Mac at my home in my system then forget it. It’s a 12k. CDP and the least they can do is have me demo it with my rig. It’s definitely gonna sound different with their Mac equipment hooked up to it. And my whole system is ARC so I know the sound. I read a lot of great reviews on both the 9 and 9 se. I do really liked the looks of the Mac with the meters and green display lit up showing the tubes. 😂. But it’s a lot more than looks. Plus I do love the top loading players. |
