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CD player - need your opinion

I decided to try to replace my CD-player (a heavy modded Toshiba SD-4900). In the past 7 years I had the chance to listen to very few CD-players that, in my opinion, were performing great. And these are:
- Teac Esoteric UX 1 and DV-50
- Linn Unidisk 1.1, 2.1, Sondek CD-12, Ikemi
- Sony SCD-333ES, Swoboda
- Sony SCD-XA9000ES
- Tag McLaren DVD-32
- Theta David
- Accuphase DP-100 + DC-101
- Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista
- Naim CDS3 and CD5 + Flatcap II
- Burmester 001
- Mark Levinson 390S
- Wadia 301
- Arcam CD-23 T
- Lua Cantilena
- T+A CD 1240R

I liled them a LOT and, in my opinion these CD-players were head and shoulders over anything else that I listened.

I think the most I enjoyed Linn Sondek CD-12 and Naim CDS3.

The problem is that all these are over $2000 USD and I was never able to commit that much.

Even right now, I cannot commit more then $1150 for a CD-player (new or used in pristine condition).

My question: for $1,150 USD, what I can get in today market that is close to what I liked?

Thank you for you opinions.
rmihai
niravp
55 posts
 
A lot of these players come from manufacturers that have similar models at lower price points - have you investigated those?

If you liked the CDS3 that much (a $15,000 player, btw), you can buy a used Naim CD5 for about $1300, and upgrade to Flatcap at a later date, when your budget allows.

If you liked the Arcam CD23T, you can get a CD92 for well under $1000. It contains the same DAC as does the CD23 and sounds similar to its more expensive sibling.
audiofankj
373 posts
 
Audio Aero Prima - take two. This is a very good player, and can be had used for close to your price point.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Jolida 100; tube output stage, a very fine player that in my opinion is the best value for the $$$. Get a quote from Joe Sausa at New Tube.
rmihai OP
55 posts
 
Thank you,

Audio Aero sounds interesting. I will have to check into that.

I liked indeed Naim CD5 but ONLY togheter with Flatcap 2!!! Without it, sorry, I do not care about it. And this is my problem. Both of them will be over my budget. Just the CD5 I don't like it.

Arcam - I tried CD92, and I found that is not as close as it theoretically should be to CD23. Sorry, I don;t care about CD92.

I didn't listened yet to Jolida stuff. I tried to say aside from the Chinese stuff. But I will give it a try.

Thank you once again to all of you
niravp
55 posts
 
Actually, the FMJ-23 should be available at your price point. I've seen it for betwen $1100 and $1200
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