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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
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.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

My current player is crapping out (technical term!) - a CARY 306


Cary Audio Design CD 306 8 x PCM1704 – PMD100 -VAM1202

Cary Audio Design CD 306/200 8 x PCM1704 – PMD200- VAM1202

Your Cary 306 is a great multibit player if it's the laser which is usually the case, very easy to replace and costs peanuts to buy a complete mechanism with laser.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=VAM1202&_sacat=0

Cheers George

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