Schiit Yggdrasil is very good for the money. I own a Gungnir and a friend has a Yggdrasil.
Need a new CD player. Suggestions please.
The past 3 years I've put together a modest new system including a NAD C538 that is failing. It doesn't sound as good as it used to even with an external DAC and if you skip a track it doesn't play the first few seconds of the next track.
Looking for a replacement has been frustrating. My last CD player was a Sony ES 400 disc changer that played everything including SACD. I almost wish I hadn't let it go when I moved.
The CD players that appeal to me are in the $3k to $5k range. I'm not sure I want to spend that much. Can somebody recommend a new CD player for $1k or less? I'm fine with a transport and don't mind using an external DAC. I have a smattering of SACD's but a non SACD player wouldn't be the end of the world.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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I would get a cheap OPPO transport that plays everything, mine cost $150 used. Then spend $600-$900 to get a GeerFab D.BOB. You will need a DAC that supports the D.BOB. I had a Benchmark DAC3B that worked flawlessly with it. However, I sold it and now my 2 remaining DACs, the Schitt Yggi+ OG and the Schitt Yggi+ MIB, do not do DSD so the D.BOB is sidelined. DACs that support the D.BOB can range in costs from $200-$100 000. I was thinking of spending $400 to buy a used Chord Mojo 2 as a stop gap until I get a killer ESS chip-based DAC that I like much more than both Yggi+ I own. That DAC will work with the D.BOB since it does DSD over PCM. Read the Stereophile review. GeerFab Audio D.BOB digital breakout box | Stereophile.com BTW - my last CD player was a modified Sony SCD-1. The D.BOB is no slouch and will surpass the great modded SCD-1 when I get the new DAC ($24k). |
meyersrbs Sorry, no can do on the 12th to 15th upgrade, the new Pontus 15th is basically a Venus; the Venus 15th is the old Terminator, the Terminator 15th is the old Terminator Plus. Sell the 12th and get the 15th IMO I'm upgrading this winter, and I may very well go with the Terminator 15th.....but that depends on tarrifs |
I appreciate this thread. My ref CDP is my trusty brutalist (40lbs!) Electro EMC-1 UP. However, I want to reintroduce CD playing in audio shows I will exhibit with my ArgentPur amps and cables and a partnering speaker-maker. So I just purchased a small, light, SMSL PL200T, probably feeding an SPL DAC, to a Backert Rhumba Extreme and then my GaN-FET monos. I may not even bother to compare the SMSL to my Electro at home, as life is short. I eschewed more obvious CDT options like the affordable Cambridge et al, thinking the myriad connectivity of the SMSL would make it fairly future-proof. Anyone using one of these to front a ref system, and thus perhaps tell me what to expect? First use will be at AXPONA with YG Carmels. Thanks. ErnieM ArgentPur.audio |
I first want to thank everybody for their suggestions and advice. For a variety of reasons I ordered the Advance Paris X-CD9 and couldn't be happier. I didn't want to shop for a new DAC right now and the Advance Paris being a player with a decent DAC and interesting analog output fit the bill. I really didn't think my system could sound this good with just a new CD player. Back in the day I used to believe that a CD player was just a CD play. How wrong I was! Thanks again everyone. Now, I guess I start the search for a DAC to try with it. |
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