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Wadia or Arc CD player?

Hello all, I have a bad case of upgrade fever...I have just recently rebuilt my 2ch system with Vandersteen 3Asigs, ARC LS25 pre and ARC VTM100MKII.
All Cardas Gold reference cables. Next piece to go for is CD player.
Currently using my Rega Planet 2000. I welcome your thoughts, I am impressed with the ARC line up and build quality thus far. Looking for a comparable CD player to drive this system. I would of course be looking for an improvement in sound quality over the Rega, but also important is a reliable product with service support.
Thanks!
vdosc
rtn1
535 posts
 
I'll take a dissenting view, based upon the ARC Ref 8. I thought the build quality was poor, particularly the transport. I also thought the presentation was smeared and colored.

The Wadia is not for everyone. It is very clean and precise. In some systems, it can sound dry. It needs very good supporting components and cables, along with a preamp. I think you need to listen to some of these and expand your choices.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Rtn1 - If you open any current Wadia player, and compare the flimsy, all plastic DVD-Rom drive Wadia uses to the cast aluminum Philips CD-Pro2 drive that can be found in all ARC players from CD-3 onwards, you would change your mind.

I agree that the aesthetixc side of ARC line is lacking in general (we somehow developed a liking for it over the years - talk about acquired taste) but the products are extreemly solid.
egidius
106 posts
 
as a late addendum: I owned the 781i, and as much as I loved that player, the transport tray left me completely puzzled.
but nevertheless, i am still open for a step up - with wadia.
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