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Help on premium cd player

I've been playing around with separates (upsamplers, dacs, transports) seeking like many something that sounds right (like vinyl?). Lately been trying to find a good transport to work with my, largely used, collection of parts. Have now stepped back and realized that I'm already out $3-4,000 and still don't have what I'm looking for, and tired of the search. I want to listen to music. So switching tactics and looking for a really good player in the $3-5,000 range {used), then sell off my "inventory", rationalize cables and rack space and just enjoy (90% classical, jazz and vocals). My candidates, based on reviews and hours reading threads here and AudioAsylum, are

Accuphase dp 65x or 75
Audio Aero Capitole 24/92
Audiomecca Mephisto II
Electrocompaniet EMC-1 Mk2 24/92
Wadia 860x

As an old banker I get a warm feeling if the manufacturer isn't likely to disappear overnight. To those who suggest that I first audition and trust my ears, I agree 100% in theory, but it's not possible where I live.

Comments/recommendations from those who have owned more than one product or were otherwise able to directly compare two or more especially valued.

Oh, my equipment includes tube and transitor pres and amps so I'm flexible, not a zealot for either philosophy!

Many thanks in advance for your contribution. And apologies if this post is too long, just try to preclude questions rather than answers.
grandpad

Showing 3 responses by cornfedboy

cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
grandpad: just a note to you on your accuphase listings. there is a very significant difference between the dp-75 and the dp-75v (indeed, i think accuphase's product designation is a little wacky). the latter model introduced oversampling and employs an improved circuit topology; moreover, the 75v accepts upgrade slots that will allow the d>a sampling of sacd (tho the onboard transport doesn't output a sacd digital stream). i've heard all the cdp's on your list, except the audio aero. i would rank the top 5 in this order:

accuphase dp-75v
accuphase dp-75
electrocompaniet EMC-1 Mk2
accuphase dp 65-v
wadia 860

i would, however, be wary of the wadia products, given your concerns about the overnite disappearance of manufacturers. that already happened with wadia once this year and may well happen again. or so the rumor goes, FWIW. -cfb
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
WARNING!!! for those of you who might not have caught on by now, audionut is an audio retailer. i'd therefore consider his opinions with around a ton of salt. particularly since he's not seen fit to disclose his affiliations. nor has he registered as a member of the audiogon community. yet another hangeron, tryin' to get some free advertising. if you doubt me, check out this post made by audionut on a recent thread titled "dac recommendations" :

Forget a dac ,sell any digital source you own and find an Aloia cd player.It is
the new reference for playback period.I sat for 3 hours yesterday in utter
amazement.I have never been so shocked by a component in my 20 years of
audio.It surpassed all other front ends including my 20,000.00 turntable.My
reference system is about 150,000 us dollars and I never dreamed a single
component could make this much difference.Piano sounds exactly like the
instrument with the ability to hear all the harmonics with the right timber.The
day before I was listining to my sacd player and thinking this is not at all the
way a piano sounds and didn't expect cd could ever sound right.How wrong I
was.Don't miss this amazing product.

hmmmmm. smells a little like six-week-old halibut, eh? his website is: http://www.audionut.com/

-cfb
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
audionut: if you're not a dealer, then i apologize. just seemed like too many coincidences. it would help your credibility, IMO, to register as a member and tell us a bit about yourself in the "who r u" thread. -cfb
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