I bought an Ayre CX-7e and I haven't listened to this much digital since I bought my first turntable (about 5 years ago). I'm actually buying CDs again.
I'm kind of embarassed to say this, but I really didn't think I'd actually use it when I bought it (yes, that's one expensive paperweight). But the sound it so liquid and compelling that, right now, it's getting more attention than my analog front end. |
GNSC modded Resolution Audio Opus 21, my last CD player, until it dies of course. It's detailed, fast, without seeming to be so, like Naim players. No digital glare, I really do put it on a par with my Vinyl system |
MacBook to USB Wavelength Brick Silver DAC |
I use a Sony CDP with a tube DAC for a while, now I use the AH Njoe Tjoeb with upsampler. |
A MF Kw 25 DAC and transport that licks the pants off my vinyl set up when play the only XRCD 24 that I own. OTW vinyl rules.
Cheers |
ooops meant kicks the pants off...
Sorry. |
The new dCS Puccini one-box. I bought it primarily for its SACD capabilities. Although I only have about 100 hours on it, I am very pleased with the results in my system. Very highly resolving, none of the typical digital "glare," and particularly tight, deep bass. There are several recordings -- particularly large scale orchestral -- that sound as good or better than their vinyl counterpart. My time spent listening to digital has gone from about 5% to 30% with the Puccini. |
APL Philips SACD 1000. The first CD/SACD player I really didn't mind listening at home. |
AMR CD-77. It's the best digital source I have personally experienced and is very competitive with mortal analog sources. However, the highest end analog sources still hold the high ground by a noticeable margin. (IMO, of course.)
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Pioneer Elite DV-58AV modded by Ric Schultz with a Superclock 4 and beefed up and cleaned up input and output stages.
Dave |
I built an Audio Note 2.1x Dac kit and the sound now equals my Audio Note TT2 turntable, which really surprised me as I didn't think digital could ever sound as good as decent analog. |
Accustic Arts Drive 1mk2 and Accustic Arts TubeDac2: the closest thing to analog sound in my experience (AA replaced Metronome combo). |
Sony X77ES CDP to Krell Stealth DAC is a very nice sounding combo- but compared to my KAB Technics? They are 2 different animals, both good but definetly diferent. |
Shanling SCD-3000, modified by Reference Audio Mods, and using Amperex Bugle Boys. |
Audio Note Dac 2.1 signature kit from Audio Note kits. Much more analogue sounding than my wadia 301 (with mods) or my arcam fmj23. Highly recommended. Jeff |
Modwright modified Transporter. Very listenable and finally a digital source that gives my vinyl setup a rest. Had a highly modified XA777ES that was good but seldom found playing time. Digital very close now and happy with either. |
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I have a $15.00 Sony Playstation 1. One of the best sounding CD players I have ever heard. I think the top end is slightly rolled off which keeps the digital glare down,not to mention a much sweeter over all sound.
Since I am almost strictly a vinyl nut,this rig is perfect;minimal investment,good quality sound in a (IMHO)limited format.
For $15.00 at a yard sale,I certainly have no complaints.I would much rather put my money in either more LPs or
a better MC cartridge.
e |
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I enjoy listening to both cds and vinyl. I have an Audio Note 4.1x Balanced DAC and an Audio Note CDT-Two II transport. My analogue rig is a Basis 2800 Signature (vacuum) table, Vector arm and Dynavector XV-1s cartridge.
Don |
McIntosh MCD500...very analogue sounding. |
April Music Stello CDT-100 and Stello DA-100 Signature. With the I2S connection, XLR outputs and your favorite PC, you will be quite happy if analog is both your larger investment and favorite medium. |
I like pioneer stable platter design and use pioneer pd-65 and a pd-59 and a rega planet original. All are used as transports with outboard dacs and monarchy dips. |
Sony XA5400es
It has an organic & correct sounding presentation.
Enjoyable listen to CD's straight through. |
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A 4.5 TB server with a MF Trivista DAC. |
My analogue rig - TW Acoustics Raven One turntable/Graham Phantom II arm/Transfiguration Orpheus L mc phono cartridge (phono stage is built into my Karan Ref MkII preamp).
My digital rig - dCS Paganini transport + DAC (MIT Oracle MA digital clock cable with BNC terminations/Siltech G7 Classic Anniversary firewire cable).
The two exist happily side by side and I am not troubled by the superiority of one over the other when enjoying listening to music, digital or analogue! |
Paid $499 new - for under 5 Benjamins tough to beat. |
Sony SCD XA9000ES. Wondering if the XA5400ES is an upgrade or about the same... anyone? |
Recently bought Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP (+Kondo Vx interconnects) which I can listen to with the same pleasure as Raven One + Tri-Planar + Transfiguration Phoenix.
CDP does sound analog like, despite the statements in this thread :) (which I take with due respect). |
Tascam CC222MkII Player/Recorder and Music Hall Maverick SACD player modified by Underwood Audio for my main system.
I've been quite happy with how good the Tascam records and how both it and the Music Hall sound. I have had some problems with the Music Hall and had to have it repaired twice. Overall cost for the Music Hall was around $1700 with mods.
A Wadia would be a luxury but I can't relate to the cost at this time. |
For the digital front end I use a Music Hall CD 25.2 player as a transport and have a Cary Audio XCiter DAC. The two are connected via a DH Labs D-75 cable. I really like the sound of the Cary DAC; very smooth and no digital glare, but lots of detail and nice, full, rich sound. |
Another vote for the Ayre CX7e-MP. |
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Music Hall CD 25.2, but listen to vinyl 90% of the time, It is a solid CDP withg a nice sound and great price break. |
no cd player, media server playing full WAV files |
AMR CD-77 and the dac section is incredible too. |
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Mark Levinson 360S DAC/37 Transport. |
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I am using a Parasound 2000 C/BD Belt Drive Transport and am loving it. Truly it has an analog sound that is just beautiful. I am presently looking for a DAC that will be able to read and play HDCD's and other formats. Your suggestions are welcomed and thanks much.
Bob |
Currently, an Ayon CD-2. Upgrading to the CD-5 in about a week. The CD-5 has been getting smoking good reviews. |
Another vote for Ayre CX-7eMP. Overall, my vinyl rig sounds just a bit better, with small but noticeably more texture. But if I didn't already have a vinyl collection, I'd go digital only and never look back. I only have about 6-8 duplicate titles on CD and vinyl. In head to head comparisons, the vinyl kills the CD on Jack Johnson's "On and On". But I got the ripped CD from a friend and I wonder if it's MP3. On "Abbey Road", the vinyl is clearly better, but it's the 1980's CD and the remaster would certainly narrow the gap. On Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark", the sound is very similar. Other than the vinyl pops, I don't know that I could otherwise distinguish them blindfolded. I have four duplicate Bruce Cockburn titles. I prefer the CD "Circles and Streams" simply because the used vinyl is just hammered - barely listenable. "World of Wonders' vinyl notably betters the 1980s CD. But the remastered Rounder CD releases sound every bit as good as vinyl. In fact, I actually *prefer* the CDs because they seem to better highlight vocals while surrendering hardly anywhere else. |
Playback Designs MPS-5, as close to analog I have heard yet. |
While there are lot amazing digital playback systems out there, in my experience its the recording rather than a rig that closes the gap between digital and analog playback.
I have a few Japanese pressings of some popular albums and the magic with them is they absolutely make you forget about "digital" playback. You dont remember the source at all when these CDs are playing, all you do is listen to music !!!!
Thats very similar to what Vinyl does.
But then very very few other CDs (not pressed in Japan) are able to replicate that feeling. And interestingly these are not some exotic record labels like MoFi or XRCD...these are the same vanilla flavor stuff but manufactured in Japan.
Something to think about !!
BTW my digital rig:
TEAC VRDS 10 (modded)
Reimyo DAP-777 |
Pani,
We would appreciate some of those references to enable us to expereince this.
Give us a few of your "top 10"
Thanks
Tim |
This player after many others made me smile with cd again.
Great analog sound. |
dCS Puccini with clock is the solution I have choosen ... but good LPs just sound marvellous and so natural |
Rotel RCD-1072....................Since most of my $$$ goes into my analog front end and buying more LP's (a constant adventure), I didn't want to spend a lot on a CD player. This Rotel RCD-1072 is a beautiful sounding deck, and it's "very analog sounding," bringing out the best of my CD's without breaking the bank. |
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