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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
yyzsantabarbara
4,850 posts
 

If you have a good DAC then the D.BOB DSD/PCM converter is hard to beat. It cost $700-$1000. I use a $150 used Oppo player as a transport to the D.BOB and the D.BOB connects into my DAC via SPDIF. You connect the D.BOB with the transport by HDMI.

My prior CD player was one of the best ever made, the SONY SCD-1 (modded by Vacuum State to 5+ level). The D.BOB is better in some ways and the SCD-1 is better in others. However, I have no need for a new CD player given the level of quality of the D.BOB.

 

jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,416 posts
 

+1 on the Marantz ruby sacd/dac.  Very smooth with great detail. The DAC is wonderful too.  I run horns in my bigger system and have no patience for harshness, glare or fatigue. 
 

But, like others, I’m surprised your Rega is the culprit. 

regafan's avatar
regafan
74 posts
 

I own a Marantz SA-KI Ruby currently. It sits on top of 4 Stillpoints to mitigate the effects of vibration. They helped. If I was buying a new CD player right now I would be looking at the Luxman brand. I enjoy the Luxman sound from their CD players.

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