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Suggestions for New CD Player

I'm looking for a new CD player, modestly priced under $1,500, that will  work well with a 2-channel system featuring B&W 804S floorstanders, a McIntosh MC402 power amp, and a Magnum Dynalab MD208 receiver used as a preamp.

My wife and I mostly listen to classical music, and have an extensive CD collection, particularly heavy in orchestral (e.g., Mahler, Beethoven) and opera (Wagner, Verdi) and piano/violin.  (My wife is a Julliard-trained musician.)   Pre-pandemic, we were frequent concert-goers, preferring about rows 8-15.  We also rock out on occasion. We appreciate fine equipment, but we're music-lovers rather than true audiophiles.

We previously had a Consonance Droplet CD player (tubed, nice sound quality, when it worked, which wasn't often enough) and a Lexicon RT-20 (a little harsh, and wouldn't play many discs).  I won't buy a used player.  In my experience, CD mechanisms are the most fragile of all components.

I realize I'm asking a lot at this price point, but life itself is compromise.  Don't really care about wireless capability or digital files.  SACD is nice, but redbook capability is what really matters to us.  Considering Cambridge Audio 851, Rega Apollo, but open to suggestions.

Your thoughts?






gg107
jafant
18,824 posts
 
gg107

Thank You for the initial report. 200 hours of play time is a good starting point. The player (any player) will continue to bloom every additional 100 hours until 500 is reached.

Happy Listening!
gg107 OP
71 posts
 
A further report on the Denon DCD 1600NE:

Jafant, you are correct.  After six more weeks of break-in, the Denon has improved.  Not dramatically, but audibly.  Particularly, the top end sound less "digital" and more natural.  While I'm still not in love with the Denon, I like it more than I did.  My wife, an experienced classical musician and former recording artist, feels the same.

The biggest improvement to this system, however, has been the addition of a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers.  After auditioning Focal Kanta No. 2, SF Olympica Nova II, and Wilsons (forgot the model), the Olympica IIIs were the clear winners, with an organic, non-fatiguing sound that serves the human voice, solo instruments, and full orchestra equally well, and invites long listening sessions.  

I'm now awaiting the delivery of new speaker cables, and I expect to take further steps to upgrade as time progresses.  

Audiogon has been a valuable resource in this process.  Thank you for your contributions.

jafant
18,824 posts
 
gg107

Thank You for the update. Good to read that the DCD 1600 bloomed after 500 hrs. You are a fortunate Man to have a Classical musician for a wife.
Sonus Faber makes a very fine loudspeaker. Which Cabling are under consideration?

Happy Listening!
gg107 OP
71 posts
 
The new cables are Audioquest Rocket 44 bi-wire -- an upgrade from the Home Depot solid copper bi-wiring I'd been using.  As hoped, they made an immediate difference.  

At this point, the law of diminishing returns may have come into play in a big way.  But that may not stop me from attempting further improvements!
jafant
18,824 posts
 
gg107

consider Straight Wire, which is a sonic match for SF loudspeakers.

Happy Listening!
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