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Player that excels at imaging..

My quest still continues for a new cd player.Most important is finding a player that excels at imaging.Don't get me wrong all the other things are important to - bass ,extended treble,natural midrange,etc.But nothing gets to me more in a system than when you get a nice wide soundstadge with great imaging.Players I'm looking at are Cary 303/300,Audio research 5,Resolution audio opus 21.My current player is a Sonic frontiers cd-1.It lacks the imaging & bass I'm looking for to complete my system.My other gear is Pass labs.Any opinions whould be helpfull..
spaz
dwhitt
347 posts
 
i think all above good be the answer, but i have owned alot of players, linn, marantz, musical fidelity, naim,etc...but the best player for the money is a cary 300/100 or 200, they are superb in every aspect and sell reasonable on the market used..good listneing and hunting....whitt
hamburg
69 posts
 
In my experience imaging and depth of sound stage has more to do with speaker choice and speaker position in the room. I have Pass Amps with WP7's. I recently moved them 1.5 feet further out into the room. Originally at 2.5 ft, bare recommended distance from back wall. A major improvement in the areas you describe. CD players or transports offer different presentations as too detail, position of lead voices or instruments to the stage, degree of analogness, and complexity of subtle secondary sounds missed by some. Edginess of high frequencies and base and certainly change between CD players. Therefore, a new improved player will not go unnoticed.
Good luck! Richard
spaz OP
105 posts
 
I have heard other players that shrink the soundstage in my system .With my sonic Frontiers it opens it up.Maybe I am looking for a player that puts the voices right in front of me.This sound to my ears like the image is holographic.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
You're more likely to get a more involving soundstage and imaging with a tube DAC or tubed player, at least that has been my experience.

Try a tube DAC and see if that helps. The mhdt Paradisea or Havana do not cost too much and are quite good. With the Paradisea, for better bass and dynamics, use the NOS Tung Sol equivalent tube in place of the stock GE tube that comes with the Paradisea.

If it does, and you want to go further, try a tube pre-amp as well.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Spaz, before ditching the SFCD-1, buy a used Virtual Dynamics Nite or Master power cord and slap it on that puppy and I bet that you get what you're looking for. You may not believe in p/c's, but I'm certain it sounds like what you're looking for. VD cables and cords escort you to the front row. Personally this doesn't work for me, I prefer a mid-hall presentation, but I know many that enjoy this immediacy.

If it doesn't work, sell it and there is nothing lost.

Cheers,
John
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