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Incredible CD sound for $1500??

I am having a hard time deciding which way to go on this issue, there are so many choices! I am trying to achieve the best CD sound for the money, I'm looking for a statement piece for my front end. I currently have a Phillips DVD 963SA for SACD & redbook. I plan on keeping this for at least DVD playback, my system consists of a McCormack DNA-1, CJ-PV10AL (soon to be replaced with Audible Illusions L1) & Tyler Reference Monitors & sub. I listen to clasic rock strictly & prefer detailed sound with a touch of brightness & wide soundstage.
My obvious choices are to keep the Phillips & add a DAC, plenty of choices there. If I did that I would prefer a newer DAC with 24/192 upsample options. Or I could purchase one of the popular one box players, i.e. Sony XA777ES although I have heard it's CD sound described as harsh at times? SACD doesn't really matter either way. I could also purchase a used transport such as one of the Theta's that are always available & add an "older" "higher quality" DAC. Plus now there are also plenty of "new" one box players on the market that are supposed to surpass the big dog players of the past, i.e. Jolida, AH, Music Hall, CEC, etc. The worst part of it all is that I plan on purchasing used so I can not hear it in my system first, which way do I go?
fishwater
fishwater OP
178 posts
 
I don't really think I want to go the mod route, normally in all my other hobbies I would be interested but for some reason I can't explain (probably resale) I don't want to get into a mod unit. The Cary's look like nice players, although I have yet to hear one. Wadia is a definate contender in the race from what I have read. The Benchamark DAC look good & has good reviews but I can't seem to take it seriously? I think if I kept the 963 & added a DAC I would always wonder if I was "missing" something. There are a ton of choices that are not making this an easy choice, at least it's fun shopping!
lgregoir
106 posts
 
Atoll CD100 is a great cd player for the price...

I beleive it's around $1000.

It's worth to audition.
fishwater OP
178 posts
 
Also, I have no intentions of getting rid of my pre-amp. Yes it would allow me to spend even more in my quest for the ultimate Red-Book player but it does not (at least at this time) seem like a practical idea.
windsurfer
16 posts
 
Yet another vote for Atoll. I have their In100 (100w integrated) and a cd100. I have tried a lot of speaker and they can even match with far more expensive speakers without being shy (proac d15 is a very good match). Also the Canadian distibutor (Dimex) is a very good guy to deal with.
metralla
945 posts
 
Sean writes:
My guess is that this was a preliminary design and that he wanted to get something up on his website to display. If such is the case, he really should post some more current pictures of how things are being done. Neatness DOES count, especially when it comes to digital circuitry.
My bet is it will look exactly like that. In fact, when I was up there last that's exactly what they looked like. Nothing wrong at all with it. There are Black Gates with the plastic cover removed, point-to-point wiring, unique custom-made litz wire low value caps, a great discrete analogue output stage of a proven design, damping material applied in crucial places etc.

I have a Ric Schultz modified Sony SCD-XA777ES with a fully-balanced output stage. The mods have a similar look to the Philips, and that's his style. It sounds fabulous.

Regards,
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