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CD Player Advice

I am looking for advice on CD players. My current player is the Rega Planet 2000. I'm fairly new to the quality audio market, and probably don't have the right vocab, but I can say that I find the Rega a bit harsh.

Other equipment: Creek 5350, VA Bach, Wastach LC-530 speaker cables, Wasatch 104-U interconnects

My favorite music is acoustic, blues - a lot of Calpton, Garcia, Grisman.

I'm willing to spend 1-2K, used or new, solid state or tubed.

The other CD player that I have listend too on my system in the creek CD43, which I liked alot - better than the rega. IT seemed to have a softer and more realistic sound, but I'm guessing that I can even better than that.

any advice is appreciated. thank you
benmcgill
tonnesen
138 posts
 
I've been looking for a CDP in about the same price range. There are many many many recommendations in the archives, I've spent the last week reading the archives, and my conclusion is.... (drum roll)

...lot's of different advice and the only consensus is that you MUST audition the different players, and it's best if you can audition in your system.

Good Luck!
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,784 posts
 
This may be below your sights ... but you could try the Music Hall CD-25 ($500 range). If you listen to a lot of Grisman & Acoustic Disc music ... that is all HDCD encoded ... and the Music Hall is an HDCD unit. Old & In The Gray, (for example, Pet Sounds, is another) sounds absolutely superb. I have owned the MH for about a year now and it is a nice sounding, well put together machine. The marketing for the MH compares it to a $1000 machine. You could also try the Shanling CDT 100 (imported by Music Hall; same manufacturer as the Music Hall CD25)

http://www.shanling.com/CD-T100.htm

Regards, Rich
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
I second the Audio Aero Prima. I love mine. It cannot be touched for the price; and will hold its' own with players costing more than twice the price. This baby is absolutely amazing. The Prima has a couple of tubes that keep the digital a little toasty, if you will...you can email me for info about where to purchase the Prima. I got it for a great price through a very reliable source. peace, warren
s23chang
620 posts
 
I've done A/B test with Rega Planet 2000 vs Marantz CD 17 MKII, CD 67SE and Meridian 508.24. Didn't like the SONYs because of thinner sound.
All the players are better than Rega 2000 except CD 67SE is less detail but more musical.
All of them are not harsh at all.
508.24 is warmer (very tube-like, detailed and excellent bass extension)than CD17 MKII (musical, lively, and detailed) and CD67SE ( musical, less detail than CD17 MKII.)
All test were done with home made 12 AWG CVH DIY shield power cord.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
If acoustic music is your thing you MUST definitely audition a belt driven CD transport before purchasing anything. I just got myself a used Parasound (built by CEC) belt driven transport and my acoustic music just comes out sooo musically involving it's not funny. I never thought CDs could sound like that. The unit's electronics are wanting in bass slam, impact and dynamics when compared to my McCormack SST-1 transport but Dan Wright http://www.modwright.com is going to take care of that soon. Dan Wright is a specialist on digital modifications, so you might want to check his website
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