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CD - upgrade, replace used, buy new?

After years of non-listening, I have upgraded my system and need to take the last step. System now consists of CJ MV-60 amp, McCormack TLC and Superfon/Stan Warren modified SP-100 (buffered line stage), Shearwaters, and old Pioneer PD-93 Elite CD player. This player was their top of line machine -- $2000, dual power supplies, dual Burr Brown PCM-63 DACs. I have listened to some of the new Rotels, Creek, Sonys, Rega Planet 2000. I must admit I am at a loss. The Pioneer side by side with a Sony DVP NS300 is a hard call. The Sony appears more forward and open on top (or is it brighter) but has no warmth, bass or depth compared to the Pioneer. The Pioneer is warm and musical. Let's set the budget at 2 levels 600 and 1000. I am also willing to trade or sell the Pioneer. Let the games begin. Many thanks.
cellorover
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
There are some cheap combos can be built but with older digital technology:
CAL DELTA transport -> EAD DSP7000 <=$600 you'll find lots of music there;
Theta Data II transport with the same EAD DAC;
Micromega Stage 5 integrated player;
Meridian 528.? integrated player(don't remember precise model number). Meridian is a king of digital technology.
gthrush1
241 posts
 
How about a used Theta Miles with variable output, and run that straight into your amplifier (no preamplifier necessary)?
ehider
286 posts
 
Hi,

Having owned the Pioneer PD-93 myself I can tell you that it will still hold its own against the typical $1500 recommendations. The Pioneer is probably the best 20 bit cd player ever developed by a Japanese manufacturer. When I sold mine, the new owner was absolutely floored by how great it sounded (not to mention its unbelievable build quality). He had owned a couple of the typical sub $1500 recommended cd players, and told me that the Pioneer was much better.

In order to trounce the Pioneer sonically, you may need to consider a 24 bit dac and transport. My thoughts are why not give the Awia/MSB Stan Warren modified combo a try? I've heard it displace many digital rigs that cost over $5000 , yet it is less than $1100 complete. Just last week we compared it to three high end DVD-A and one SACD player that all cost over $3000, yet it was no contest. The Awia/MSB combo won hands down again. I have yet to hear anything under $2500 that even compares to this combo.
outlier's avatar
outlier
381 posts
 
I haven't used the PD-93, but I own the DV-09 which supposedly retailed at around $2,200. I found the CD playback adequate. I then upgraded to MSB Link Dac III for CD playback and found improvement but nothing to write home about. Then I got a YBA CD1 and CD playback is unambigbously superior. Were I to take a DAC route, I think the best bang for your buck would be the EVS Millenium II DAC at about $1k. I think it would trounce any other DAC at the price, and this DAC is so hot now that were you not happy with it you could sell it for practically what you bought it for. Good luck,
John.
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