Looks like I can be of serious help to you because I also own the decapo's but they are the new i iteration.The audio aero capitole mk1 is really in a class by itself and I've heard very good things about the mk2.You can grab a mk1 for 4k or so and thats what I would do.Theres a great synergy going on with the decapo's and the capitole,aliveness is the best way I can describe it,dynamics that make the hair on your neck stand up and a relaxed unforced feeling.As you already know the vocals have great natural in the room feeling on the decapo's and with the capitole you will not be disappointed.Hope this helps in your choices.You can't have mine for another ten years.
'Last CD Player' search
Has anyone else noticed how many new CD players there are? Now that we're supposedly in the new world of DSD and 24/192 and universal players, it seems that everyone's thrown one last hat into the upsampling cd player ring.
As it happens, I still have a fairly shitty digital source, and, unfortunately, a fairly revealing system. The time has come for me to drop some coin on my first (and hopefully last) Real CD Player. I am looking for a one-box solution that makes redbook sound like music; one I can use as a reference source and build a system around.
I am looking at the following players (in order of price):
- Naim CD5 - $?
- Primare D30.2 $?
- Classe CDP.10 - ca$3000
- Audio Aero Prima 24/192 - ca$3200
- Copland CDA-822 - ca$3500
- SimAudio Moon Nova - ca$3800
- Gamut CD 1 - ca$4000
- Cary CD-308T - roughly ca$4000
- Ayre CX-7 - us$3000
I have also listened to the Musical Fidelity 3.2 and 308; I find the 3.2 does weird things with dynamics, and the 308 is too expensive--it was not $1000 better than the Copland. I have tried to stay away from separates; but I have heard good things about the Audio Note DACs and the PerpTech P1a/P3a combo. Thoughts?
If you own or have experience with any of the above:
- Are you happy?
- How did the sound of your system change with the purchase?
- Do you feel like there's more to be had from redbook CD's?
- What was your previous source, and what was the difference?
- Any comparisons/contrasts between any of the above appreciated.
Also: How have other people approached this kind of buying situation? How do you audition all the possibles? Sometimes the logistics are dizzying.
My system:
Reference 3A MM De Capos
Acurus DIA-150
VPI HW-19 Jr / MF X-LPS
Van den Hul power, signal and bi-wire speaker cables
Lovan Reference racks and stands
AC regeneration by 2 APC UPS units in series w/ sinewave output
Persian rugs and bookshelves on absorbtion/diffusion duty
(Current digital source is a Pioneer DVD player and Audio Alchemy DDE)
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
Cheers,
Chris Younkman
Toronto
As it happens, I still have a fairly shitty digital source, and, unfortunately, a fairly revealing system. The time has come for me to drop some coin on my first (and hopefully last) Real CD Player. I am looking for a one-box solution that makes redbook sound like music; one I can use as a reference source and build a system around.
I am looking at the following players (in order of price):
- Naim CD5 - $?
- Primare D30.2 $?
- Classe CDP.10 - ca$3000
- Audio Aero Prima 24/192 - ca$3200
- Copland CDA-822 - ca$3500
- SimAudio Moon Nova - ca$3800
- Gamut CD 1 - ca$4000
- Cary CD-308T - roughly ca$4000
- Ayre CX-7 - us$3000
I have also listened to the Musical Fidelity 3.2 and 308; I find the 3.2 does weird things with dynamics, and the 308 is too expensive--it was not $1000 better than the Copland. I have tried to stay away from separates; but I have heard good things about the Audio Note DACs and the PerpTech P1a/P3a combo. Thoughts?
If you own or have experience with any of the above:
- Are you happy?
- How did the sound of your system change with the purchase?
- Do you feel like there's more to be had from redbook CD's?
- What was your previous source, and what was the difference?
- Any comparisons/contrasts between any of the above appreciated.
Also: How have other people approached this kind of buying situation? How do you audition all the possibles? Sometimes the logistics are dizzying.
My system:
Reference 3A MM De Capos
Acurus DIA-150
VPI HW-19 Jr / MF X-LPS
Van den Hul power, signal and bi-wire speaker cables
Lovan Reference racks and stands
AC regeneration by 2 APC UPS units in series w/ sinewave output
Persian rugs and bookshelves on absorbtion/diffusion duty
(Current digital source is a Pioneer DVD player and Audio Alchemy DDE)
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated.
Cheers,
Chris Younkman
Toronto