Has anyone heard Rega's Isis CDP?

Elinor,

Your findings are interesting but worthless, how can you possibly rate any of these front ends in completely different systems? How do you know what was doing what? I am sure the Neodio is excellent but is it better than an MSB or a Rega the only way you could possible figure that out would be to listen to all three in an identical system.

Audiofreakgeek, I find Elinor's comments interesting as well, thus they are not worthless, they are interesting. Thanks for posting Elinor, I am not familiar with Neodio and will look into it for future reference.

I am not saying his post raised the light on other front ends however, it shows Elnors inexperience. The only way you can judge anything is to switch out one variable and listen.

Going to three different rooms with three entirely different systems it is impossible to discern what is doing what to the sound, you could speculate that the front end is accounting for the difference but it is just one element in a reproduction chain, and then you have the room differences to counter as well!

I would add to the list of great sounding front ends out now

the Esoteric K03 and the AMR CD 77.1 both of these players sound really good, but without having a comparison to any of the other players it is all speculation on which sounds the best, and speaking of best that is a totally personal issue, best in what capacity?

I think that Elinor's response was very interesting. Yes it is impossible to tell what each piece is contributing to a system when you hear it at a show but it certainly sounds like the Rega Isis helprd produce beautiful music in a nice system.

Bobheinatz,

You have gotten the point. Certainly all 3 systems were different and in different rooms. Those variables play a part of what I heard. It would seem to me that is a given to any audiophile worth his merit be it at a show, in a store, or at a friend's home. I would think that at this price point you would explore these players in your own system, the only important one I might add, and make your decision. All 3 products seemed dynamic, transparent, and relatively non-digital for digital and yes, all 3 were excellent regardless of the variables. Good luck to you.