I am looking for a short list of the best CDP from the 90's era. I own a few hundred Redbook CD's that I want to enjoy again. I am very nostalgic about the nineties as that's when I first got into the hobby.
Are you also nostalgic for burnt-out lasers and failing disc drives? There are other things like speakers, amps, preamps, etc. you can more safely be nostalgic about from the 90s, but if you’re intent on rolling the dice this one would be among the cream of the crop. Meridian is another great recommendation. Good luck with this.
In the 90’s, I liked the Linn CD12 a lot. It was nearly $20k back then, so it was one of the more expensive machines. It didn’t hurt that it was one of the most elegant looking machines out there.
Audio Aero Capitole was another nice machine from those times.
Check out the Arcam FMJ CD23T. I believe this was released in the very late 90's and it was noted for its Ring DAC which had been licensed from DCS. I have one and for fun I did an A-B using it's optical out to a Geshelli Labs DAC (J2 w/AKM4493 chip). After all these years the Arcam was very close to the Geshelli J2 though the J2 was audibly a bit more precise. Lots of info if you do a search.
If you are married to the old stuff with all its warts and distinct and inevitable assured risk of cd laser or cd transport failure from old age, then think this one as a fine performer indeed.
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