CDPs for full orchestra


I listen mainly to 19C and 20C classical orchestral recordings, Berlioz to Gorecki, symphonies, concertos, etc. etc.--you get the picture. It seems to me that these kinds of recordings present the greatest challenge to home audio in terms of rendering not an accurate but at least a convincing soundstage with a 90-piece orchestra arrayed within it.

In particular, any recommendations for CD players that are particularly capable at sorting through the jungle? That create good soundstage depth and layering?
128x128twoleftears
Raysonic 168, then add Herbie Tube dampeners, and isocup/balls. I also use a Morrow MAP 2 PC, and Machina Dynamica Code Name torquios in the well.

YOu can find a review here, annd more by googling. It's available from Underwood HiFi
This may not be the answer you were hoping for, but CD players have little effect on soundstange, imaging, or rendering the complexities of orchestral music. For the qualities you are seeking, the recording is the most important factor. You'll never get anymore out of a recording than what is already there. Next most important are the speakers, their ability to deliver those qualities and how they interact with the room.
05-31-08: Pacific_island_audio
This may not be the answer you were hoping for, but CD players have little effect on soundstange, imaging, or rendering the complexities of orchestral music. For the qualities you are seeking, the recording is the most important factor. You'll never get anymore out of a recording than what is already there. Next most important are the speakers, their ability to deliver those qualities and how they interact with the room.
Pacific_island_audio (Answers)

I disagree. Source is the beginning. CD players sound different. They also image and soundstage differently. Recording quality varies from disc to disc, that's true. But to say that CD players have very little to do with soundstaging is an incorrent statement. I tried more than one cd player in my system, also tried several different DACs. Beleive me, some soundstage and image better than others and the difference is immediate.

If your system is capable of certain level of resolution, you will hear difference between components much quicker and easier than you would with a lower resolution system. The better your components get, the more important synergy becomes. Don't ignore the source.
Twoleftears - Here's from another serious orchestral music listener, CDs and Lps. I agree with a lot that's been said--it depends upon recording, mastering quality, etc. Frankly, I finally got so annoyed at the sound of orchestral CDs in general (though there were some exceptions) that I re-habbed my turntable and was forced to conclude that, for the most part, Lps do a better job with orchestral music. But still, that ignores 20 years of newer recordings. After a fairly long (and sometimes painful) search, I finally concluded that the EAR Acute was the CDP that was most compatible with my classical listening interests. As it happens, I described that experience in a post earlier today, which you can find if you do a search for "acute" (I assume).

Good luck and good listening.