Lyngdorf CD1::Can it compete with Rega Saturn-R?

In the $4k price range, the (now discontinued but still very much in demand) BRYSTON CDP is the one that I would look at as being on my short list along with the Saturn.

Yes I have heard the new Saturn cdp it and IMO is still at the top of my list
The issue is that a particular player will sound differently in different systems .

The AYRE is also a very fine piece - in its price range there are no bad players, But to express it as "best of breed" in the $10k strata .... Not-so-much IMO.

it's strictly a case of finding a player that works best in YOUR system. Just because one sounds good in a demo system is no assurance that it will perform in yours.

One thing that I would caution on is to be skeptical of raw $$ as a measuring tool and actually audition the kit itself independent of the price tag. It is precisely for this reason that the SATURN sits at the top of my suggestion list as the Goliath killer that performs way above its weight class.

Bo 1972, Thank you for the comments. Happily I am not a fool and have decided to pass on the Lyngdorf. I don't know if you have been doing high audio for many years, but occasionally even the most astute "philes" lose their minds and judgment looking for something exotic and yet a giant killer. The reasons are many, but I won't bore you with musings about them But thanks, you probably saved me about $1000 or so

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Akg-ca, I assume you were referring to the Bryston CDP-1. I think there is/was one for sale on AG this week. Nevertheless, I may have an unfounded prejudice against Bryston, having heard some of their separates combos a few years ago, and not being impressed. Also, and I have read this before about that Bryston, the CDP's are a bit bright. Nevertheless, I will check it out. I think even used, they demand too much money..

My feelings about the Ayre CX-7emp2 is based on many positive testimonials and endorsements by members and very solid reviews in TAS and Stereophile. In all honesty, I think the player is overpriced at a retail of $3500. Yes, it looks nice and is solidly built....but as you noted I could take a new or used one home and it might sound mediocre in my system or only marginally better than the Rega Apollo which has survived in my system for 6 years. I doubt that would be the case, but audio is a crap shoot much of the time.

Before, I owned a Sonograph Beta( vintage 1988),and moved to the Rega Apollo after 18 years of allegiance to the Sonographe....(without a doubt the Rega was a major upgrade). So I have owned two player over 26 years; I am sure this is laughable to many members, who are working on their 5 or 6 CDP.

The Ayre is appealing to me because it is less of a cucukoo clock loaded with computer audio electronics. Unfortunately, the new Rega Saturn-R is. Nevertheless, I might wind up with the Saturn-R if I can't score a Ayre Usually, the used ones require one or two upgrade by Ayre. The "MP" upgrade is supposedly the most dramatic improvement in sound

I think Rega needs to do some remarketing of its products. You don't hear much about this, and maybe it is only rumor, but Apollo-R was a bust for them. About a year ago, before AG changed formats, you could find as many 8 of these players on sale. A few as low as $600, the average 750 ($1095 was the retail) I heard the Apollo R in a local store, and it sounded good, but was not a large upgrade over the original Apollo. Which again leads me to the conclusion true or false, that the Saturn R is overpriced when compared to the earlier Apollo-R, IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE ORIGINAL SATURN WAS OVERPRICED COMPAREd TO THE ORIGINAL APOLLO WHICH MUST HAVE sold ALMOST TWICE THE AMOUNT OF players. Regardless, thank you for your advice. Jim

You have to judge audio for all parts it can give. It
doesn't matter what it costs. Audio is about realims in
sound and in quality. That is why I say: the best sound
always wins.

I judge audio ( every single set) for which parts are there
and which ones are missing. I use the word: Total Sound.
Everything needs to be there for the best sound. Many sets
are often incomplete.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rcabl&1393266431

goodluck and have fun

Some drive Fords, some drive Chevys

As far as the Bryston cdp is concerned, I base my positive comments on first hand experiences only and not on any of good reviews . Favourable Reviews are just the source reading information for me used to personally go and actually audition.

I've auditioned it numerous times personally at the dealers and one of my best friends has it in his high-end system that I listen to frequently .

My personal listening experiences are very favourable - detailed, dynamic, open, lots of slam, ..... Top shelf equipment performance wise and built like a tank like all the Bryston products. IMO , highly recommended to audition.

Again system synergy matters - big time ..... So some drive Fords and some drive Chevys. For me, it was the Rega Isis valve cdp as my best choice, FWIW.

Jim, re the Bryston CD player, I've owned a BCD-1 for five years, and IMO Akg has characterized it perfectly. And regarding the brightness allegations you mentioned having read, I can say that at least in my system (via both Daedalus speakers and Stax electrostatic headphones), and on well engineered high quality recordings (especially classical recordings, which comprise most of my listening) its tonal balance seems exactly right.

I don't know what they go for currently, but FWIW I paid $1700 for a used one here at A'gon, five years ago.

Good luck in your search. Regards,
-- Al