DK Design VS.1 Ref. mk II ,& a good matching CD.


Hello,
I have a new DK design MK II coming. I was wondering if anybody can recommend a good cd player that would work nice and look nice with the DK.
I am also not sure if this unit has enought power since i am used to running a pair of Carver TFM-35 amps in vertical bi-amp.

Thanks
Bob
sonicbob
I have heard a system with Consonance Droplet CD player, DK VS-1 Mk.3 integrated, and Kharma Exquisite Mini Speakers. This was probably the most synergystic combination I have ever heard - I was getting goosebumps.
I was answering the original question, which did not refer to pricing.
"Hello,
I have a new DK design MK II coming. I was wondering if anybody can recommend a good cd player that would work nice and look nice with the DK.
I am also not sure if this unit has enought power since i am used to running a pair of Carver TFM-35 amps in vertical bi-amp."

Thanks
Bob
In a subsequent answer he did mention pricing, but since I have many emails to read, I did not see the price until you mentioned it.
I actually personally bought an Exemplar, and feel that it is one of the best digital pieces I have heard, anywhere near THIS price, and some much higher.
I don't think I understand your question about demo'ing DK's with Exemplar players "with" John?
What does that mean? When people hear my system, they hear the Exemplar player since I own it.
It was quite an improvement over the Lexicon, both audio and video wise.
"Demoing the DK's with Exemplar players with John?"
Please clarify what that means. I have yet to meet John personally, though I intend to.
Clearly with the budget of $2K this is the wrong suggestion.
The Audio Aero Capitole or Consonance Droplet 5.0 will sound very nice with the DK integrated.
Good Luck
Larry, I agree that the Exemplar 3910 (based on what I heard from Exemplar 2900) is likely a great choice and John Tucker is a wonderful fellow, but isn't it like 3 times the stated budget of $2K? Are you demoing the DK's with Exemplar players with John?
Bignerd100,
appreciate your quick response. These are names I have heard before but now I am going to pay a much closer attention to them. Especially the the MD receiver you mentioned (might solve my 2nd HT setup too). I ideally would like to listen/compare them to the new Dk offerings and then choose one (I agree that auditioning is the key if possible). Great information. Thanks again.
Mumum,
I like the YBA integraeds very much. As with all things YBA, the specs are cryptic at best (much like the specs for the DK). Their attitude is "Listen to our amplifier, and love it. Now stop asking questions." Their Passion 100 is a big bang for the buck in that price range.
It may be worth looking at the Magnum Dynalab receiver. It has been available for a little while now and in spite of the fact that it got a rave review in Stereophile this month it should prove to be a decent receiver (though I have yet to hear one).
Some of the Audio Research integrateds can be had in that price range as well.
NAD has a new line of electronics that looks promising (replacement for the Silver Series). The integrated is jam packed with useful features that may or may not be of interest to you.

As with all of this stuff it is wise to audition at home with your equipment. Sometimes logical combinations sound really bad.

Good luck!
Really like the Exemplar Audio by John Tucker.
It's a universal player based on the chassis of the
vaunted Denon 3910, with a couple of tubes thrown in for good 'measure' sorry couldn't resist.
This is one player that sounds like theyre supposed to.
Rewired with Siltech, better internals on the audio side, (hey it already gets 'top' video measurements as it is--)plus who is better to deal with than the inimitable John Tucker?
Great gear. Terrific 'sound'.
lrsky
I have one of the first productions of the DK amp, VS1-MI, and have been using an Opera Consonance, as others have suggested here, with good results. I would try to listen to the players first (I personally think that testing at home with all your accompanying gear would be the best, but, probably not easily done. Depends on your dealer).

Bignerd100,
I am planning on a second listening room. What other amps would you recommend (as you pointed in your post) aside from DK in the same price range? I am happy with my DK but would like something different for variety. Thanks.
Really like the Exemplar Audio by John Tucker.
It's a universal player based on the chassis of the
vaunted Denon 3910, with a couple of tubes thrown in for good 'measure' sorry couldn't resist.
This is one player that sounds like theyre supposed to.
Rewired with Siltech, better internals on the audio side, (hey it already gets 'top' video measurements as it is--)plus who is better to deal with than the inimitable John Tucker?
Great gear. Terrific 'sound'.
lrsky
I used a Northstar Model 192 DAC & Transport with my DK amp for about 8 months. It was a great combination. The Northstar units could be had used close to your 2k budget and are excellent for redbook. Lots of good choices already mentioned.
I think you will find quite a lot of headroom with the DK and your speakers. I have heard the DK paired with a Musical Fidelity A5 and this combination sounded very nice.
Hello,
Thanks for the replys. I listen to almost all kinds of music,Classic,jazz,rock and almost everything in between but no country. The speakers i am using are an older pair of Paridigm Studio Monitors with 2-8"woofers,5 1/4 mid and a 1" tweeter that run about 88db@6 ohms. Like i said before i am used to my Carver TFM-35 amps. Although not the best, i can listen to them all day and they have almost unlimited power.
As for a budget i picked up the DK for a great price so i am not looking to spend over 2k for a cd player. I was thinking maybe a Shanling.

Thanks
Bob
Bignerd100,
I wouldn't expect an onslaught on this thread, since Bob's just asking about component matching. It's obviously not a schilling post (an adverisement disguised as a legitimate thread), which are the ones that get abused.

Bob,
Try one of the Consonance cd players. I know folks who gravitate towards the D&K also like the Consonance line.

John
Bob,

Prepare yourself for an onslought of mean and possibly nasty comments. That amp has been bashed here numerous times and the thread usually gets taken off within a week.

The reason that people give it heck is because of the way it has been marketed. It is everywhere and kind of considered a flavor of the month amp.

The good news is that in reality it is not a bad amp. I have listened to it and there is nothing wrong with it. Can you get a better integrated for 3K? Yes. But that can be said for about 95% of the integrateds out there that retail for 3K.

As for a good CDP you could look at one of the top Denon DVD players or one of the Sony ES players. Opera players are likely available from the same dealer that you got the DK from. They are good players too. Try to audition before you buy. A lot can be said for "synergy."

Wheather or not your DK has enough juice is dictated by your speakers, listening habits, and room size. Chances are that it does have enough gutts though.

Good luck!