Msmcelwee,
I have the Ayre CX-7e in my second system. If you want to be within the $3,000 range and you don't want to consider modded players, the 7e is the ticket.
However, if timber accuracy and grain free and fatigue free characteristics are very important to you, I would suggest, if possible, stretch your upper limit to about $6,000 and get a fully modded APL 3910. I have the APL 3910 in my primary system. It's performance is close to the no-holds-barred players currently available in the market for about one-third the cost! It's detailed, yet not analytic. It reproduces the sweet delicacy of music without smearing the fine and rich harmonic texture. It's ability to re-create the textural and dynamic nuances draws you in into the music. It is very involving. It's realism at times is jaw dropping. Extention in lows and highs is superb; as are the dynamics, both micro and macro. If you value balance and coherence, it delivers. Personally, I don't listen to music (mainly classical) for the soundstaging and imaging, but both are impressive on the APL. Find a source where you can listen to it and decide for yourself. After a brief listen I was hooked and stretched my budget to place the order. If you are not able to extend the upper limit of your budget, talk to Alex at APL HiFi, he can do a partial mod for less than $6,000. This player is in a much higher league than those you listed. A distant second to the APL 3910 is the Ayre CX-5e (retails for $6,000). It too is in a higher league than your listed units.
Great Listening,
John
I have the Ayre CX-7e in my second system. If you want to be within the $3,000 range and you don't want to consider modded players, the 7e is the ticket.
However, if timber accuracy and grain free and fatigue free characteristics are very important to you, I would suggest, if possible, stretch your upper limit to about $6,000 and get a fully modded APL 3910. I have the APL 3910 in my primary system. It's performance is close to the no-holds-barred players currently available in the market for about one-third the cost! It's detailed, yet not analytic. It reproduces the sweet delicacy of music without smearing the fine and rich harmonic texture. It's ability to re-create the textural and dynamic nuances draws you in into the music. It is very involving. It's realism at times is jaw dropping. Extention in lows and highs is superb; as are the dynamics, both micro and macro. If you value balance and coherence, it delivers. Personally, I don't listen to music (mainly classical) for the soundstaging and imaging, but both are impressive on the APL. Find a source where you can listen to it and decide for yourself. After a brief listen I was hooked and stretched my budget to place the order. If you are not able to extend the upper limit of your budget, talk to Alex at APL HiFi, he can do a partial mod for less than $6,000. This player is in a much higher league than those you listed. A distant second to the APL 3910 is the Ayre CX-5e (retails for $6,000). It too is in a higher league than your listed units.
Great Listening,
John