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The Best of the Best Well sort of - CD players


I am researching a new digital source that is in the middle of the 'REAL' high-end range and need some advice choosing.

Here are the units I am looking at:
Esoteric DV-60 combo,
Denon 5910ci combo,
Sony SCD-1 with almost all possible mods,
Rega Saturn,

Ayre cx7e,

Oracle 2500, (this player is gorgeous)
Simaudio Moon Eclipse LE, (this player is pretty)
Wadia 861, (this player looks serious about digital as do the Meridians)

DCS (oooops can't afford this one, strike it off my list)

The top 4 are my finalist, the Ayre is not out of the game based on what I have heard and the last 3 players may me out of my price range but, I havent totaly ruled them out yet. Cosmetics and CD sound quality are important to me. Being a combo player is a nice plus- (but not the end all factor in my decision) -if you look at my current gear as I do not have an upscaling DVD player and do own loooots of DVDs and hi-res audio disc ie: SACD & DVD-A but I mainly listen to CDs on my system.)

In my player I am looking for beauty, build quality, somewhat neutral, even tonal balance, bass weight and control, detail without being to bright or clinical, PRAT, less fatigue for long listening is nice but, not a top concern, I am not super concerned with soundstage or exact imaging just so the player is not too forward or lacking in width.

I mainly listen to electronic and underground tracks from the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands
Aphex Twin, Download, Orb, Massive Attack, Kid 606, Meat Beat Manifesto, Kraftwerk, Enon, Goldfrapp, Royksopp, DJ Shadow, UNKLE, Dead Can Dance, etc. I do listen to other stuff but, this is my main gig.

Below is my current equipment:
Parasound C2
Rotel 1075 (Soon to be replaced with Parasound A-51)
- Rega Jupiter
- Marantz 8400 combo hi res
Onkyo m501 amp for rear channels
Camelot Lancelot phono stage
Music Hall MF7
Monster Hts 5600 (Looking at Shunyata Research Hydra 8)

Infinity Prelude HTS fronts and center
Artisitc Audio Mobius rears
Velodyne CHT-10 for sub (soon to be replaced with Martin Logan or JL Audio)
Polk back rear channels, I dont use these except for 7.1 movies

PS3 bluray
360 hd-dvd
Wii

Sony wega 50" A2000 sxrd 1080p

cables are audioquest, kimber, harmonic technology, jps, ixos, voodoo, etc.

Sorry this is soooo long but, I wanted to be detailed before letting this loose. So ANY suggestions would be welcome from those with similar music taste or have auditioned one or more of these players or even want to sell one. I excluded stuff from MF, Classe, Cary, Krell, Levinson, Lexicon, Meridian (The last omission is for cost mainly because I only like the expensive 808i)

THX
optitron
optitron OP
32 posts
 
FYI

I am still fond of the Oracle CDPs and the Consonace Droplet. Yes, stone me I think they are very sexy beast. The Moon Supernova and Andromeda are a little more straightforward in appearance but, still nice looking players. Classe Delta and Plinus players are gorgeous also. However, I think the Raysonic has the future/hi-tech look down pat without being overly gaudy----beautiful sound and design. Remember I am an artist and designer by trade so cut me some slack people. Sound is still the most imp. element.
alextychkin
87 posts
 
Optitron.
FYI, I own around 1200 ambient,drone, electro-acoustic, techno-tribal, Berlin School etc. CD's.

I am speaking from my experience. But suit yourself, though.
distortion
571 posts
 
Alextychkin says, "...it's mostly, money wasted on this type of music."

Thats not true. I listen to many genre's and IMO there are no more poor recordings in this particular one than any other.

I use the rule of thumb that states, you can not improve upon a bad source.

The Orcale is a fine choice, though I thought it was too expensive. I havent even seen a Raysonic yet so I cant comment there.
tlday
137 posts
 
To say that MF is overrated is just plain naive. This statement is similar to the MF bashers who have too much time on their hands. MF makes many different products, and in many cases makes the best value. Have you really listened to their products? The Tri-Vista integrated, in my opinion, cannot be touched at that price point.
optitron OP
32 posts
 
Alextychkin I don't care how many albums you own, I have many more and I still think you are wrong and I would bet most others who have such massive collections of the UG software as we do would agree with me.

Tlday. No I haven't heard all the MF stuff if you would like to send me some stuff to change my opinion I would be more than happy to take a listen. PS: I will settle for their headphone amp for starters. As I have nice cans but no good headphone amps.

This isn't a bashing forum. It's just educational. It's ALL subjective and yes a well recorded/produced album on a cheaper CDP can be better than a shitza recording played on a much more expensive CDP. Take chill pills and then listen again before you shoot out noise. Thank you both for your observations and Happy Listening! I know I will be ;O
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