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CD player to compete with my vinyl rig?

Greetings,

I find that I have stopped buying CDs, which I regret because there is so much great new music out there.

My player is a Cambridge 640c and listening to it just doesn't do the 'suspension of disbelief' thing. It has all the right stuff: black backgrounds, dynamics, PRAT, detail, air, frequency extension, but as soon as the orchestral strings well up or the horns start, I want to turn it off. The timbral qualities are weird (especially massed strings, voices) and the sense of real people playing instruments isn't there. There's a sheen and confusion to the soundscape. My vinyl rig offers by far the more realistic experience. I have multiple copies of Mahler's 2nd Symphony on both CD and vinyl, and I never listen to the CDs any more.

I would like to find a CD player that makes me want to listen to CDs as much as vinyl!

I'm looking at reviews of the Rega Apollo R, the Teac PD H600, Audiolab 8200CD and the Decware Zen triode player. (Yes, around $1000 budget).

My rig: Pro-ject 2 Xperience/Shure V15-IV, Jico SAS, Cambridge 640c, Rogue Cronus Magnum/KT120 tubes, LS3/5a speakers, Kimber, Zu cabling.

Music tastes: Sibelius, Mahler, Bruckner, Bach, fifties torch singers.

I would love to hear suggestions from members!
Thanks
sumaato
sumaato OP
100 posts
 
Lowrider57, I'm really glad to hear of your experiences with the same music that I play! This gives me confidence to look in the Jolida direction, thanks a lot.
The tube CDP option is why I also wondered about the Decware player. It seems to have good build quality. I have not heard any personal reports about it though.

Tomcy6, you are right, the CD was never the heart of my system, analogue is. But I'll be happy just to be able to treat both media with the same enthusiasm, even if they sound different.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
My Jolida was a wonderful player, but early in my quest. It was pleasant, musical, forgiving and easy to listen to. I have gone through the phases of wanting articulation/precision to musical/romantic. It lies more to the romantic side. These days I prefer to let the analog signal from the LP play or try to make the digital signal sound as close to analog as I can. That led me to find a DAC that transforms the digital signal from the HD into a sound that mimics my LP version. I'm still looking. It is sort of a Don Quixote quest. It is a case of trial and error until you find the sound you like. Buy used and sell and buy until you are content.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
the original cdx (naim, citca 1992), would compete with anything out there.

of course its all opinion.

with respect to analogue, there are many cartridges that have such an imbalanced frequency response, especially a peaky lower treble), that most well constructed cd components are preferable.

it is fruitless to compare "analog to digital".

it makes more sense to compare a specific turntable, arm and cartridge with a cd source.

the original tempest would be a worthy competitor to many analog setups.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Let us know what u decide. I was in the same position...looking for a CDP that would reproduce classical as close as possible to vinyl. (and with the $1000 budget).
sumaato OP
100 posts
 
So far, I like the idea of a CDR with a tube output stage. From comments here and elsewhere, it seems that it might shift the listening experience closer to the joy I get from vinyl. I'm pondering the options, but the Jolida sounds compelling.

I want to be able to surf the thrift stores in ten years time, cruising for CDs like I now cruise for vinyl! Maybe the Jolida will still be working for me then. I'll let you know what gets my money....thanks people.
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