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dinosaur ISO player...

I'm searching for a new CD/HDCD/SACD player. DAC would be OK, but it is not a priority. My current player is crapping out (technical term!) - a CARY 306 that has been played to death. I have a big collection of discs, and I listen often. I haven't seen anything new that still does HDCD. I'm thinking reliability is a priority, so without starting a fight going, I'm honestly thinking Japanese.
Esoteric K05X, Marantz SA-10, Yamaha CDS 3000 come to the forefront of my search so far, but my HDCDs will be CDs with those players I believe.
 Any suggestions what player(s) I should be considering?
24phun
narumtr
12 posts
 
What about an unmodded Oppo?  All the models prior to the current decoded HDCD so you could probalby find a nice 105 or something from someone moving up for 4K.   My 95 has been rock solid.  Even if you don't like the stock DAC you mention DAC isn't critical so you could pass the digital signal.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
537 posts
 

 ARC Ref 7 CD player. It uses the same transport as CD jukeboxes so if needed, parts won't be a problem. And it is a real deal at the price they sell for used.

 I listen to a lot of vinyl, maybe half the time. The CD7 does not leave me wanting. It is very smooth, detailed and holographic. Just a truly excellent CD player. I have felt no need to upgrade even after I upgraded my phono preamp. My only other choice would be Esoteric. But I really like the smoothness the tubes provide.

 I have been down the Pioneer DVD player path some years ago when my Theta transport died. I picked up the Pioneer DVD player everyone raved about to use as a temporary transport. It was just horrid sounding even through a excellent DAC. DVD players do not make good transports. I ended up buying a demo Ref CD7 and selling my Theta. 


24phun OP
56 posts
 
I have heard this about DVD drives before.
The Oppos I've experienced were unbelievable values, but still not as good as really quality players - in true A-B testing. Hate to pop any balloons by saying that. My system is good enough to hear this fact.
I will certainly check out the ARC, thanks for that recommendation!
24phun OP
56 posts
 
The ARC while highly regarded, is not an SACD player. If I MUST give up something, it would be the HDCD readability. It's hard for me to grasp that there is not a more contemporary replacement for the Cary - I guess I'm in the denial phase...
djohnson54
396 posts
 
@24phun
The Oppos I've experienced were unbelievable values, but still not as good as really quality players
Given the players mentioned in your original post, that's why I listed the modded version rather than suggesting an unmodded model.

Another option, if you’re forced to give up HDCD compatibility, would be to rip your HDCD CDs and stream them - especially if your new player will also function as a DAC. The dbPoweramp ripping software has a plugin that will rip HDCD CDs as 24/44 files maintaining the 20-bit resolution.
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