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difficulty finding CD player match for Magneplanar

I have a California Audio Labs Mk II CD player (CAL) that has one channel going out. I might be able to get it repaired (if I'm lucky), but I wanted to listen to the latest CD players to see if I could find a replacement.

I home-trialed an Arcam FMJ-something at around $1000 U.S. Too bright, not enough bass, not enough "power" to drive rock and jazz/fusion.

I home-trialed the much-vaunted Rega Saturn. Not enough "power" or bass for rock/jazz fusion, upper midrange and highs OK, but lower midrange sounds like being in nosebleed section of concert hall (very distant and hard to understand).

I've got Magneplanar MG-IIIa speakers, original Adcom preamp and 60w/ch. amp.

It seems to quite troublesome to find a CD player for the Maggie's in my listening room that isn't too bright or too distant and has enough power/drive/authority and solid bass to really drive electronic music.

Neither player was really involving. They seemed to present information off the disk, but just didn't grab my interest. Pretty boring. Good detail, good this, interesting that, but in the end, not enjoyable.

Others have raved about Arcam players and about the Rega Saturn, but they haven't worked for me in my system.

Anyone had similar experiences with the Maggies and found any players that worked better with the Maggies?
timoteo

Showing 2 responses by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I think you are getting some pretty consistant, and good advice here, before you change out the disc player, check into a new amp.

First of all, I will admit that the best speakers I have heard for Rock music are not Maggies, that would be Klipschorns, period in my book.

Number 2 would be my 3.6R's, and I should know, I have had them for some time, and tried many other brands and types of speakers, always returning to the Maggies. If they have the correct amount of power, they will reproduce a kick drum, a bass line, cymbals, guitar and voices like nothing else. They have great impact, if you have the right amp, and that is the key.

My brother has some 20 yr old IIIa's driven by an Innersound ESL with a Vandersteen 2wq for the low end, and that's a truly spectacular combo with tons of impact.
Great for rock music or large orchestral pieces.

Other suggestions for amps:

Bel Canto Ref 1000 (agree)

Cary Audio CAD 1000 MB

Parasound JC-1

Spectron Musician II

Good luck!!
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Timiteo, I think the point everyone is making, and it's the main point here, is that your amp cannot drive those speakers. 120 w into 4ohms for those large panels is very under-powered. The range and dynamics are greatly restricted due to the lack of power, especially bass.

All of your sources will wake up if you get a more powerful amp. I don't think the IIIa will really wake up with anything less than 300w into 4ohm, and more better.
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