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Advice needed re: new CD player purchase

Hello everyone. New member but long-time lurker here. My system: Bryston 4B-ST amp, Bryston BP25 preamp, and Meridian 508.24 CD player (all purchased in 1998 and all performing flawlessly), Kimber KCAG balanced interconnects, Audioquest speaker cable, and Esoteric power cords. I have Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers.

I have about 4500 CDs (about 3% of which are hybrid SACDs). I love my system, but I want a new CD player. Am I right to think that advances in audio technology over the last 24 years have left my Meridian in the dust, sonically speaking? So I have been looking at various players. A few parameters: I will only buy new; I want XLR outputs; and I’d prefer to not spend over 5k.

I’m looking hard at the Bryston BCD-3, and the Technics SL-G700. Having owned Bryston products now for almost 24 years, I’m extremely impressed by their build quality and performance. However, the BCD-3 is not an SACD player. I’ve read a few solid reviews of the Technics, but I’m suspicious of their long-term reliability. There are no dealers where I live or within 200 miles. I looked at the Marantz line, and their only player with balanced outputs is the SA-10, which I’ve heard is awesome but I’m unwilling, at this point, to pay $7500 (although my mind is not closed on the matter).

Anyone here have either the Bryston or the Technics player? Will I notice a marked improvement with a new player (as compared to my 508.24)? Like most of you, this is my life. After work, I listen 2-3 hours per day, sometimes more on weekends. Thanks in advance for your advices.
jeroboam

Showing 9 responses by jeroboam

jeroboam OP
24 posts
 
Thanks for the responses so far.

stuartk suggested that I buy a recent used transport and DAC. My experience buying used items makes this a hard "no". I'd rather not inherit a latent problem that can't be resolved by a manufacturer or dealer. I will never "rip" discs so the one-box solution is perfect for me.

The Bryston BCD-3 seems almost perfect, other than lacking true SACD capabilities. But I'm leaning toward the BCD-3 right now. The Technics seems perfect, but I'm unable to audition it and don't know anyone who has one. 

For those who have recently bought a BCD-3 after a long stretch with an older player, my question is: did you notice a huge improvement in musicality? How does it sound with hybrid SACD discs?

Thank you, jafant, for your suggestion (on the Thiel thread) of the Marantz SA-10. I can afford it, but the Scot in me is holding me back, when the Bryston is almost 50% less money.
jeroboam OP
24 posts
 
@jdbsi: I'll most likely keep the Meridian.

@ghdprentice: you're right!  

@pmm: I don't know anything about Yamaha at all. I've always associated them with mass-market audio products.

I found a pro dealer about 250 miles from me, in San Antonio, who carries both the Bryston BCD-3 and the Technics SL-G700. I'm going to call him and perhaps arrange a day trip to hear both, if possible. 
jeroboam OP
24 posts
 
The only Technics player I'm aware of is the SL-G700, which is $2995.
jeroboam OP
24 posts
 
@skyscraper: I looked at the Marantz Ruby, but it does not have balanced outputs, and I've already invested in quality interconnects. But thank you.

Lots of interesting comments ... thank you all. I sometimes wish I were a streaming type of guy, but I'm not. I'm solidly wedded to CDs.

I've been seeing more and more great comments about the Bryston ... I've devoured info related to its design, and its dual AKM DACs. I guess it's fair to say I'm leaning toward the BCD-3. I'll let things percolate in my head for awhile, and will likely pull the trigger in a few weeks. Thanks again for all the comments. I've learned a lot. 
jeroboam OP
24 posts
 
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone. I'm sure the new Esoterics will be fantastic, @fred60, but I imagine that they'll be about double or more the cost of the Bryston. 

@beeswax, yes, that's what I was thinking ... is true SACD worth another 3-4K ?  Right now, I'm answering that as a "no" and the Bryston is in the lead.

@tweak1: I'm so intrigued by the Technics! I wish I could trial it in my listening room!
jeroboam OP
24 posts
 

Thanks, all, for the advice. As I mentioned originally, only a small portion (3%) of my discs are SACD. I would love to have true SACD capability, but not at double the price of a top red-book player. Having owned Bryston power for 24 years now, I trust their products, which is why I'm looking hard at the BCD-3. But I'm also looking hard at the Technics player, the SL-G700, which DOES offer true SACD playback (along with CD ... and streaming, which has no appeal for me). The warranties on both the Bryston and the Technics are the same, with the Technics being about $1000 less than the Bryston. Decisions decisions ....

jeroboam OP
24 posts
 

Well, I bought the Bryston BCD-3. Purchase was based on the opinions of owners; my own experience with Bryston products; and lots of reading and the exchanging of thoughts with multiple audio dealers. I'll provide a full report when I have a chance to finally listen, but the consensus of those with whom I spoke is that the BCD-3 is on a par with players that cost 10 times as much. And, Bryston will stand behind this product in the extremely unlikely event that there are problems. Thanks, all, for your comments and ideas.

jeroboam OP
24 posts
 

Reading through this thread, it could be deduced that you'd already made up your mind to buy the Bryston from the beginning. 

Actually, if you had read my initial post carefully, I was intent on buying either the Bryston or the Technics. I was looking for advice from people who had used either, or both (and looking for advice not just here). Between the date of my initial post, and the date I bought the Bryston, I received a lot of advice, and did a lot of research. Many of the responses here were about other players, or DACs, and that was to be expected. However, the only deduction you can reasonably make is that I set parameters, and stuck to them. But thanks for your observation.

jeroboam OP
24 posts
 

@jafant: it hasn't been delivered yet. I ordered through a dealer who gave me an excellent price, with no tax and no shipping. The unit is being made by Bryston and should be delivered around Christmas. I will certainly provide a full review when I get it.

@gradyjames: thank you for your thoughts on the Technics. I really really considered buying one, and almost did. In the end, my decision came down to manufacturer and dealer support, and I'm confident that I made the right decision. Now the hard part is waiting for delivery ... 

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