Best redbook CD player

Chashmal, I find some of your lingo a bit confusing. First, you start this thread entitled 'Best redbook CD Player', then it turns out that you are not looking for the best redbook cd player, but the best under $2500.

Now I've already stated that 'best' is a relative term that means so many different things to so many different people that in reality it means nothing. Looking at this thread already this is the 19th post and we already have 10 different suggestions as to the 'best' under $2500 and even one suggestion for the 'best' well over $2500.

Next, you want to know if the RA Opus will 'blow away' your Meridian. Quite frankly, this is audio salesman jargon. In audio, as in many hobbies, one spends quite a bit of $$$ to gain that last 5-10% in performance. If one CDP 'blows away' or 'kills' another CDP, then you have one properly operating CDP being tested alongside one CDP in need of repair (laser issue, cold solder joint, etc.).
While I would prefer the sound of the RA Opus over the Meridian, I'm sure others may prefer the Meridian.....most 'normal' people will hear no difference at all.

Then you come in with the comment that vinyl is 75-90% of your source material. Now knowing this, I would recommend you just keep the Meridian and spend your $2500 to upgrade your analog rig, table, arm, cartridge, phono preamp, etc.
I know Linn is always coming out with mods for their LP-12. Many, such as Origin Live will mod your Rega RB-300 arm, or maybe you want a RB-1000 or even a Linn tonearm. If you like your Lyra Dorian, try a Helikon....etc, etc.
It would seem to me that you would gain more by upgrading your primary source than by spending all of that $$$ on a source you use only 10-25% of the time.

Just my $0.02, take it for what it's worth.

Cheers,
John

You know John, I completely agree. If it were not for the fact that I am setting up a second system I would probably get a new phono stage or tonearm.

I still want a CDP for my main rig, and my 2d system will be CD only (because it is for my work space). Thus I am using the Meridian for the 2d system and am thinking of having fun getting a digital upgrade, thus the dilemma.

My budget should have been stated in the heading, again I conceed.

gentlemen:

i am considering a lector 7 mk 1. i believe it is either 18 or 20 bit, with a 12at7-based tube output stage.

my friend owns one. i have heard the player many times.
i have seen a couple used, for under $1600. my only concern is the transport.

after what i heard last night, it might seem that the computer and software could be the heart of a digital front-end.

i visited a friend who uses his apple computer to send a wireless signal to a denon transport, via optical cable.
my friend was commenting on the foolishness of audiophiles who buy expensive cd players, when a computer may be a more efficient way to get a digital signal to a dac, than a transport.

OK Mrtennis, it makes sense and probably is in the future for many of us. The question remains how to accomplish this. The whole thing about mixing a computer with high end stereo makes me queasy for some reason.

Are you saying you want the Lector as the DAC and the mac instead of a transport?

By the way I love the Lector, but missed my chance to get an MK3 at a good price. They come up used, but not frequently.