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Best CD Player for Classical Music?

I realize that a CD player that is good for classical is good for anything, but the reason I was specific is because the classical section of my CD collection is the fastest growing section. And not being very familiar with classical music I rarely heard it live. But now I'm going to more concerts and I'm looking for a CD player that can get me close to what I'm hearing live.

To be more specific, most of my classical listening has been through my system and not live. But when I hear it live it sounds softer, smoother, and flows more naturally. It sounds effortless, unforced, more relaxed. I then realize how "hard" sounding classical music sounds through my system. It may be that it's digital that makes it sound hard, but I'm not going analog right now so please stick with the CD player recs : )

I'm looking for something for my headphone system. My headphone amp, a Grace 901, is a highly resolving amp so a quality source really shines through. My favorite instruments are the cello, violin and piano and I would prefer to find a CD player that excels at making these sound natural. I'd also like something that is not too forward.

Maybe I'm crazy thinking I can find what I'm looking for in a CD player, but please let me know if you have any recommendations. I'd like to find it if possible. Thanks.
budrew
aida_w
308 posts
 
I'm listening to classical only - well 95%. My solution after many and long auditions and decision making is what Wadia does with their DigiMaster algorithm. Give it a try. I never heard a beter piano coming from a system (am a pianist myself).
Good luck!
rtn1
535 posts
 
I'll second the Wadia for classical music. It does an amazing job at resolving the detail, color, and tone of acoustic instruments, from solo to full-scale orchestral. It also has the capability of throwing a realistic soundstage, just like a live performance.

Out of the box, the Wadia can sound a little etched. Brought to its full glory with the proper tweaking, it is wonderful.
jkphoto
167 posts
 
Budrew ... I know for me that when I started to attend live classical performances - or POP performances for that matter - I came to the same conclusion as you - real music was soooo much sweeter than our stereos present it to us.

On top of that, we as audiophiles have become enamored of the "open and airy" sound ... which generally moves the music in the opposite direction of the real thing.

So the same thing you experienced began my quest for "the absolute sound" of what I hear when I attend a concert. Here is what I have learned so far ...

a) It is not about any one component in your system
b) The single most important factor is likely your room
c) Concert halls sound different (almost certainly it is a different hall from the one the music you are listening to was recorded in)
d) Different seats in the same concert hall sound different (not only tonal differences but perspective differences)
e) Instruments sound different from one another (piano A <> piano B etc)

So ... now that it sounds impossible ... what do we as audiophiles do? I think you started at the MOST important point - the ease and grace of live concert music. Though there is "bite" at times, there is seldom "edge."

I have found that as I tuned my room; changed components; repositioned speakers ... as I have moved towards the effortlessness you described, that instruments also sounded more real, more alive, more palpable.

If I were to start anywhere, it would not be a component first. It would be speaker location and then it would be room treatment - first you have to be able to hear what your components are really giving you.

Good Luck and Good Listening!
blptwp
40 posts
 
Jkphoto
Excellent post. I can't agree with you more. To me, the #1 thing is your room, #2 is the recording and pressing and #3 is the rest. #1 and #2 together is about 80% of what you hear and the rest 20% is your gears. So, after achieving a certain level in your gears, keep upgrading doesn't get your money's worth because #1 and 2 play such a part in your sound. I listen to 100% classical music (vinyl) and I also attend concerts frequently. I find record playback is the only thing that gets me closer to life concerts.
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