Time For a CD Player Upgrade


I've been using a Rega Saturn Mk 2.  I recently upgraded my turntable to the Mark Levinson 5105 w/ the Ortofon Quintet Black S.  In comparison my CD's are sounding overly bright.   Any thoughts on a comparable upgrade to my CD listening?  My budget is about $4000-5000, new or used.  The Hegel Viking looks interesting.  Any recommendation for an upgrade will be appreciated. 

 

 

mellowshifi
Post removed 

Buy an Audio Research Reference CD7   
.... it is in your price range and is an outstanding cd player.

@pindac You had mentioned..."A Local Audio Dealership is handling Jay's Audio, as said on another occasion, I am tempted to have a listen / comparison to my own CDT > DAC, but do not want to be a Tyre Kicker with the Businesses Time."

If you have a sincere interest in how the Jay's would sound and perform, I think the business would be delighted to let you listen to it.  How else would ever know if you liked it or not.  You might be surprised as to how much you like it and if so, you might share that positive experience with us on the forum and therefore generate more business for the business.

I think you should give it a try wink

Best wishes,

Don

 

My two cents:  Late last year, I upgraded from an Oppo UDP-205 (which I've kept for Blu-Ray audio & video), to PS Audio's PerfectWave SACD Transport and their DirectStream DAC MK2.  I did so mainly to access the DSD layer of SACDs previously unavailable, through the I [squared] S output/input arrangement of the companion units.  

That feature is stunning, yielding DSD 64 playback that has been a pleasant surprise from The Doors catalog to many classical SACDs.  But the biggest surprise is CD playback, on par with the best-sounding SACDs in my collection.  

I don't really understand the technology, but PS Audio's "digital lens" is apparently the secret, a way of conveying the audio signal across a pathway independent of the hardware involved.  I doubt that's an adequate description; visiting their website is mandatory.

At $8000 + $7000, the combo isn't cheap, but PS Audio has one of the most generous trade-in programs I've ever seen.  Original MSRP for any component in resellable condition, no matter now old.  I've made some amazing deals with these people over the years.

Finally, full disclosure.  I'm completely unaffiliated with PS Audio other than being a thoroughly satisfied customer.

If I were you I would get a CDT/DAC combo such as CEC TL5 CDT (directly from Japan)/Gustard A26 or SMSL SUX DAC(directly from China) for less than $2000, instead of spending that much to upgrade your CDP... the S.Q. is far better than any CDP and offers its bluetooth convenience you can play Spotify via your iPhone or Galaxy phone besides playing your favorite CDs.