Ayon CD2 is AMAZING

Hello Mcondon
Perhaps you should consider the Sony CDP at Best Buy, those Sony's, they are very layed back and detailed. I'll bet you will love it.

Jim

Jim,

Sarcasm duly noted. The Ayon CD players receive nothing but positive buzz on Audiogon. My experience with Ayon left me pretty dismayed. I was especially struck when the person who sold me his Ayon then wrote to ask me if I was selling the unit because it was too "bright" (his words, not mine.). More evidence on this front...I recently had an e-mail exchange with another Audiogon member about power amps. As an aside, we discussed digital sources. When I mentioned my experience with the Ayon, he replied that he had just sold the Ayon CD-5 because he did not like it at all and could not understand how Ayon CD players are so well-regarded.

For anyone considering buying an Ayon, I strongly recommend trying to demo the unit if possible. If not they should at least first read Doug Schroeder's review in Dagogo of the Ayon CD-5, in which he ranks quite a few digital sources. The CD-2 comes off looking pretty weak in that review, considering its high cost. I frankly think he was too kind to the CD-2, as I thought my $800 Eastsound E-5 sounded better than the CD-2.

I used to own the Ayon CD-2 and could not understand why it was so highly praised. I thought it sounded very forward and lacked detail. Overall, a very fatiguing source. After I sold the Ayon, I received back channel e-mails from other Audiogon members who owned the Ayon, all asking whether I had sold it because it was too "bright". They wouldn't post this on Audiogon. Presumably to protect the value of their investment. But I don't understand the buzz. Certainly, the Ayon CD-2 was as far away from vinyl as any source I have ever used.

For the same money, the PS Audio Perfect Wave stack is far better than the Ayon. For less money, the Eastsound is better.

I have Ayon CD-2s. It's not bright. It's a bit on analytical side, detailed but not bright.

Has anyone else noted there are several members who have only ever posted very positive comments regarding Ayon."Ayon is far superior to brand XYZ which I have owned several etc etc.Some of these guys claim to have owned lots of other highend gear but have never posted a single response about the other gear they claimed to have owned.
Just look at the history of some of these posters and you will see what I mean. Do these people really think the other members are that gullible?