Attention Cary CD Owners

How do the new Cary players compare with their older cd 300 player?

I'm getting used to the lights. The trick is not to stare into them. I think I was hypnotized by the sound of the unit especially after the new Acoustic Zen interconnects and power cord were installed. I really don't know how the new ones compare with the old ones. I do know that everyone that posts on AudioReview.Com that has a Cary loves it no matter the model. Id bet they have improved. The fit and finish of the unit is superb. It is heavy and quiet, quiet,quiet. I doubt I'll be selling it anytime in the near future as HDCD is getting more and more popular with the recording studios and the difference between 20 bit and 24 bit recording is remarkable. The 306 lists for 5k and I got one six months old for less than half of that. I don't think price is a major factor in determining what to buy but I do think I'd have to pay twice what I did to realize an audible difference. Another bonus is the little sticker that must be on the bottom somewhere that states: Made in the USA!!! Cary, NC to be exact. I've been there, absolutely beautiful town just outside Raleigh-Durham. Some of the best EE's in the world live there. In my humble opinion, it's about the music but, it's not all about the music.

Does Cary offer a upgrade of the 306 to the newer version?

They do offer an upgrade....it's past midnite here so my brain has run out of gas, but I recall it being $1000 or so. You get new innards. The new metal remote and tray, and faceplate do not change.

I contacted most of my customers and worked out a deal with them to let them exchange and pay a difference that I worked out with them. It made a number of people happy campers. I did not want them to be without during an upgrade, and when you DO an upgarde and sell it later, you have to explain it is an upgraded unit, etc etc and take a financial hit.

I felt it was better for customers

Acatnthehat... I just sold my 306 and will be getting a new 306/200 as replacement. The Cary players are excellent, highly detailed, yet musical machines. However, if you look on the back of the unit you will find a label that says assembled in Hong Kong. Surprised? Cary designed the unit, but at least some of them are put together elsewhere. I was a little surprised when I saw it too.
If anyone finds an asthetically acceptable way to tame those eye piercing lights, I wish to know also! You'd think that they would have heard about and therefore addressed that problem with a dimmer or something for the new model. Regardless, I think the Cary units are hard to beat in their price range!