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Source Upgrade -- I'm ready (up to $2500) - Page 4

post #46 of 66
7/4/04 at 12:06am
The comments by Ferbose pertain exactly to a dilemma that I'm facing right now. I will soon own an Sony MDR-R10, and I plan to drive it with a Singlepower Maestro. My concern now is what CDP to use as my source for this fine system. I currently own a Marantz SA8260, which is supposedly a fine player for SACDs. My current concern is directly related to the matter raised by Ferbose. Since I'm perfectly happy to restrict most of my future purchases, which are mostly classical music, to SACDs, will I gain anything by buying a more expensive Redbook player and buying Redbook CDs instead of SACDs? And, since lots of relatively inexpensive universal players are about to be released, isn't it better to buy one of them, and restrict my future CD purchases to SACDs and DVD-As?
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post #47 of 66
7/4/04 at 12:38am
Thread Starter 
[dons flame-thrower]

call me anal, but this thread is about my options for a $2000 redbook player, speicifically requesting comparisons or info on Meridians and Cary's. I dont mind playing Off Topic police. You and Ferbose can talk all you like about your format dilemma, but no such dilemma pertains to my problem since I have decided to stay with redbook.

[/flame]

Now, i cant directly answer your question, but i would suggest that you use do a search about DVD-A and SACD vs redbook, because there have been many discussions on the subject.

I dont mean to be a grouch, or even a grinch , but I insist we stay on topic. I dont hijack others' threads.

feel free to elect me cranky b@stard of the week, month, or reigning champion since 1978.
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post #48 of 66
7/4/04 at 12:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nanahachi
[dons flame-thrower]

call me anal, but this thread is about my options for a $2000 redbook player, speicifically requesting comparisons or info on Meridians and Cary's. I dont mind playing Off Topic police. You and Ferbose can talk all you like about your format dilemma, but no such dilemma pertains to my problem since I have decided to stay with redbook.

[/flame]

Now, i cant directly answer your question, but i would suggest that you use do a search about DVD-A and SACD vs redbook, because there have been many discussions on the subject.

I dont mean to be a grouch, or even a grinch , but I insist we stay on topic. I dont hijack others' threads.

feel free to elect me cranky b@stard of the week, month, or reigning champion since 1978.
Sorry, but I didn't realize that you defined your turf so narrowly, or was so protective of it. BTW, your statement that you've decided to stay with Redbook is very helpful to me in understanding the limitations that you placed on contributions to your thread. Would have helped to have seen this statement earlier.
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post #49 of 66
7/4/04 at 1:40am
nanahachi, I hold Cary 306/200 & 100 in great esteem, but don't see how I could be enjoying life any more than I am at this moment listening to a Meridian 588.

Also, as I posted early on, do give the Ayre line a look - outstanding, but rare, and hard to come by.

Oh, I just reread a recent post of your's, and see you are decision challenged. In that case, based on my experience, go to Audiogon this instant, and find a 588 for $1800 or so. You will be a happy man when you get it.
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post #50 of 66
7/4/04 at 1:54am
Thread Starter 
guys, if i came off rude, sorry. that post was partly in jest. my sarcasm and seriousness sometimes blur together.

agile_one, ygpm. thanks for the info
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post #51 of 66
7/4/04 at 4:32am
the meridian 508.20 (i think) that i heard wasn't that great, in my opinion. it was very laid back and too polite for my tastes. also, meridian gear has been hit by the ugly bus on numerous occasions. it amazes me how people can stand to own such eyesores.

i've known two people who've bought open-box 303/200's (almost new) from kevin deal, with warranty, for under $2k and they both have been extremely happy with them. personally, i'd try to stay away from older digital (306/100, etc.) but that's just me. i got my 306/200 for $2500 and have seen them go for less, so if it might be worth spending the extra time saving up for it if that's really what you want.

personally, i bought the 306/200 saying that it was going to be the last cd player that i ever buy. so far, so good.
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post #52 of 66
7/4/04 at 7:17pm
I havent tried the 303, but from what i've heard in brief at meets, I like both the Cary 306 and the Linn Ikemi more any of the meridians i've heard. The 588 was nice, but did have this soft sonic character that left me wanting more with the Gilmore Reference/Joseph Grado combination. The Ikemi on the other hand just hit the spot on that setup for me.
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post #53 of 66
7/4/04 at 8:34pm
I will vote for the Cary 303/200 and 306, used 303/200 are really excellent value for the sound.

W
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post #54 of 66
7/5/04 at 3:04pm
I just read this article by Positive Feedback online on the ModWright Sony DVP-NS 999ES. Certainly a consideration if it's even close to being as good as the reviewer says. Anyone hear (or hear about) this modded player?

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...right999ES.htm
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post #55 of 66
7/5/04 at 5:23pm
I have a Sony XA777ES with the ModWright Full Truth mods. This is one fantastic sounding player, but at the cost ($2,000 for the player and $3,500 for mods) its a little beyond the cost being discussed here.

One small caveat though. Mine developed a weird noise in the left channel. Kind of a morse code type signal, independent of volume or even having a disc spinning. When first discussing this with Mr. Wright he indicated that during the early days of this mod he tried to physically stretch some component (resistor?) too far. He stated he had an easy fix for this. However when I finally was ready to mail it back for repairs, he had fogotten our conversation, and had no idea what I was talking about. The player has now been sitting around, unused for a couple of months now, since I've not been able to drive it to the UPS store.

Just a word of warning, you never know what you're going to get when you have something modded, or DIY built.
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post #56 of 66
7/5/04 at 6:19pm
Naim has a new CD Player-- the CD-5i-- it goes for about $1750 new and might be an interesting option I was actually going to go audition one today but the dealer here is closed.
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post #57 of 66
7/24/04 at 7:43pm
Nanahachi: Judging by your signature, I assume you bought a 306/200. Correct?
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post #58 of 66
7/24/04 at 8:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tom hankins
I'll add my vote for this player in your price range. The equal in redbook to the Trivista DAC ($2.4K), close to the Cary 306/200 ($4K) better than the 508.24. With sacd it took the redbook audio research CD3 MKII ($5.5K) to get by it. The 555ES with mods is knocking on the doors of the $3K redbook players. It's almost there. With sacd playback it is there plus some.
The Sony 9000ES dvd-sacd-cd and 999ES player that go used for about $5-6 hundred with the Modwright.com ultimate truth tube mods (another $1300.00) are supposed to be even better. If I was going to spend in the $2K range for a CDP some kind of modified sony or denon would be in my furture.
Glad to hear as I'm sending mine out for mods in the next few weeks. I've been told that after the mods, it's an entirely different beast. Difference is supposed to be night and day. Here's hoping it's so.
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post #59 of 66
7/26/04 at 1:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenW
Glad to hear as I'm sending mine out for mods in the next few weeks. I've been told that after the mods, it's an entirely different beast. Difference is supposed to be night and day. Here's hoping it's so.
Night and day indeed, without question. You will love it.


JC


loyal member of Team "Hot Rod" 555ES
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post #60 of 66
7/26/04 at 3:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bln
Nanahachi: Judging by your signature, I assume you bought a 306/200. Correct?

yep, i found a Cary and snatched it up right quick. It's gorgeous, and sound good too

i'll post my impressions as I get to know it better, but I definitely love the newfound clarity and detail it provides. Yet, it makes me yearn for Stax all the more....
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