Ayon CD-1

So I have my WA22 setup, and all I have to drive it is a Marantz DV8400. Not a bad piece, but definitely not the right piece for the headphone amp. So I went shopping. And found exactly the right piece. Balanced tube outputs and very highly reviewed. Im not very familiar with Ayon, but like what I read.

And the silver finish and blue backlight on the buttons matches my amp. Should have it by the end of next week.

Well FEDEX just delivered the Ayon CD-1. My headphone setup is at work, so Ill open it there. Im working tonite and tomorrow nite, so plenty of time to do a thorough audition. I also grabbed a set of Acoustic Zen silver reference II XLR interconnects. I got my LCD-2's last week. No plans to open those until I get a good feel for how this new combo sounds. 

This new player should significantly improve what I hear thru my balanced T1's. The Marantz is 24/96, single ended and puts out 200mV from the RCA plugs. The Ayon is 24/196 and the balanced outputs deliver 5V. I have 2 balanced inputs on my Woo WA22 and plan to flip between players for a real A-B compare.

Well, the CD-1 is hooked up to my WA22 and I have listened to a couple od CD's. Emerson Lake and Palmer and King Crimson. I can sum the difference up in 2 words. Jaw dropping. Im hearing things from this player I never heard before on CD's Ive been listening to for decades. Soundstage is huge. Placement is precise. Clarity and accuracy of the recording is like Ive never heard before.

In short......I do not have any buyers remorse.