Xmore,
I kind of have the other side of the equation.
I auditioned the FMJCD23 about a year or so ago,I had an Arcam 7 cd player a few years back but have never heard the 9 or the new Diva's.
You'll probably know that the CD23 is really a modified 9,same DAC (DCS ring dac),this model is still Arcam's premier model.
I thought it was a good detailed player but maybe a little too laid back,hard to tell it was in a quite different system from mine.
I never really pursued it since I was little bit disappointed in the player.
If you are based in the UK,the old 9's are going quite cheap and possibly if money is a concern this may give better overall value than the CD23,which still sell pretty much list.
The other thing to consider if your arespending around £1k as the CD23 is,then there are further options now available than when the CD23 was first released.
The overall field at this price is pretty competitive.
Based on what I've read on this site-I would consider the likes of the Sony ES555 SACD player,you may find that this gives a normal CD performance close to the CD23 plus the benefit of being a SACD player.
Take your time and trust your own ears more than the reviews you might read,including this one.
Hope this helps.
Ben
I kind of have the other side of the equation.
I auditioned the FMJCD23 about a year or so ago,I had an Arcam 7 cd player a few years back but have never heard the 9 or the new Diva's.
You'll probably know that the CD23 is really a modified 9,same DAC (DCS ring dac),this model is still Arcam's premier model.
I thought it was a good detailed player but maybe a little too laid back,hard to tell it was in a quite different system from mine.
I never really pursued it since I was little bit disappointed in the player.
If you are based in the UK,the old 9's are going quite cheap and possibly if money is a concern this may give better overall value than the CD23,which still sell pretty much list.
The other thing to consider if your arespending around £1k as the CD23 is,then there are further options now available than when the CD23 was first released.
The overall field at this price is pretty competitive.
Based on what I've read on this site-I would consider the likes of the Sony ES555 SACD player,you may find that this gives a normal CD performance close to the CD23 plus the benefit of being a SACD player.
Take your time and trust your own ears more than the reviews you might read,including this one.
Hope this helps.
Ben