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How about the older CAL CD players?

I am interested in getting a secondary CD player for use if I send my EMC-1 off for a DAC upgrade. I used to own the CAL Tempest II years ago, and remember the whole CAL line from that time, which included the Aria and the Tercet players, as incredibly musical and well-made. I see there are several of the older CAL players for sale here on Audiogon, including many Icon Mk II's w/HDCD. Also the Delta transport and both the Alpha and Sigma DACs. I would like to pick one of these older units but am getting confused as to which one. The Icon's are most numerous and sell the fastest. Are they that much better than the old Tercet and Aria? The Aria has a tube in it, as I recall, and I love tubes. Both my amps and one preamp are tubed, plus I love my old Mac Mr-67 tube tuner. I remember looking at the Aria about 15 yrs ago but couldn't afford it at the time. Can't recall how I managed to afford the Tempest II, which cost several hundred more than the Aria. Anyway, I've also been reading the thread from Lakefrontroad about upgrading from the CAL Delta transport. Should I consider the Delta w/either an Alpha or a Sigma as my secondary player, instead of the Aria, Tercet, or Icon? Anyone w/recent experience w/the CAL players, esp the models I've mentioned, please give me some opinions, advice, about which CAL to go with.
Thanks so much!
Sarah
sc53
sc53 OP
718 posts
 
Correction: Lakefrontroad's thread is on other kinds of CD players. It's another guy's thread on the Delta transport. Anyway, it's informative.
centurymantra
133 posts
 
I only have experience with the Icon MkII and can vouch for it as a pretty darn good player. Very solid, well built (like a rock almost) and quite nice sounding. At it's going used price, a very good deal. I have heard mixed things about the HDCD/Powerboss upgrade and have a hunch that, given this would be a secondary player, if you did go for a Icon you may want to save a few bucks and simply go for a standard Icon MKII. I just sold the one I had in storage, though I hung onto it for quite some time as I really didn't want to see it go, especially since it came in quite handy when my Densen CDP was in the shop for an extended visit at one point. Re-visiting the Icon for awhile reminded me that it's a damn good player. As they say, you could certainly do a lot worse. Good luck
miami_a1a
15 posts
 
I have the CAL delta and sigma II DAC without upgrades.
I have heard that the upgrade was not worth the money charged to do it. If I recall corectly, I spent less than $500 for the pair. I like them almost as well as my vinal.
I think you can't go wrong with the pair.
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