Recommendations for a good used CD player, $2-$3K budget - Page 2

The PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC + Transport connected via HDMI sounds extremely good. 6moons.com just published a review of the combo that is quite positive and I think is accurate. However, I am using the Perfect Wave gear in my speaker/home theater setup because I need a multiple input DAC for other digital sources (DVD player, cable box) and I am also using the DAC as a preamp, as I don't have the space for a separate preamp. So I don't plan on using the PS Audio in my headphone setup. I might buy the add-on "Bridge" that PS Audio is planning to release, although the proposed retail price of that unit keeps rising and its release date keeps getting getting delayed.

As far as CD players for my headphone setup, I was strongly leaning toward stretching my budget and buying a used Ayon CD-2, two of which were listed recently on Audiogon. The unit came to my attention when I e-mailed the seller of a GNSC-modded Resolution Audio Opus 21. He replied that he was selling the modded RA21 and his Cary 306 because the Ayon CD-2 was substantially better than those units. His comment certainly caught my attention. The reviews and impressions of the Ayon have been universally positive, with Stereo Mojo stating that the Ayon beats the PS Audio combo on redbook playback. I like the fact that the Ayon has a SPDIF digital input, which means it can be used as a DAC as well.

Unfortunately, the sellers of both Ayons listed on Audiogon decided to keep the units rather than sell them. So the Ayon remains high on my list, but no used units are for sale and it costs $4850 new. (It retails for $5500 with dealers across the board offering a 12% discount.)

So for now I am lying low in the weeds. I doubt I will get the Eastsound modded, primarily because my unit's build quality is unimpressive. A used Ayon will remain high on my list. If one doesn't come up for sale, I might buy a Sony 5400 and have it modded by Dan Wright.

The Ayon only shares the same chassis as the Raysonic. Otherwise, it is not the same player as the Ayon, at least according to 6moons reviews. I also want the CD player in my bedroom, and my understanding is that the Raysonic throws off a lot of light.

You are right that changing tubes in the Ayon is supposed to be a pain. Steve Brunelle, the maker of Gabriel Gold cables, has kindly offered to instruct me on how to change tubes if I buy the Ayon, as he owns the CD-2 and has rolled to NOS tubes with great results and I own many of his cables.

At this point, I am waiting for PS Audio to launch its Perfect Wave Bridge and NAS. If the price is right and users say it sounds as good as the Perfect Wave DAC + Transport, I might go that route, as the PS Audio stack really sounds terrific and I would like the flexibility offered by a music server.

So I am lying low in the weeds at this point before swapping out the Eastsound. But I appreciate all the recommendations and may even consider modding my Eastsound.