spwal
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2003
- Posts
- 630
- Likes
- 10
wadia 830.
and keep the change.
or bel canto DAC2 plus good transport.
and keep the change.
or bel canto DAC2 plus good transport.
Originally Posted by nanahachi wow, thanks guys. i guess i have even more homework now. I hope I can find somewhere in southern Calif. to audition some of these suggestions. |
Originally Posted by Ferbose I have never owned a $1000+ CD player, but I assume SACD being played on my Sony can match CD being played on $3-5k players. |
Originally Posted by Ferbose Its headphone amp section is also quite good. I never had a dedicated headphone amp before so I can't make direct comparisons |
Originally Posted by Ferbose Using AKG K501, a superb violin CD recording actually sounds like a real (but not great) violin. I think this is an indication that the amp section is of high quality . |
Originally Posted by gregeas I second the Arcam CD33T rec. I've paired this player with a Singlepower MPX3 amp and HD650s... The result is fairly amazing (the new Wilco album was made for this setup). See the latest issue of Stereophile for a rave review of the CD33T (not that I put much credence into these magazine reviews). I have a tough time imagining a much better sound; at a certain level it's all about personal taste. I do wonder what the Meridian players would sound like in my setup. GE |
Originally Posted by tom hankins 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. |
Originally Posted by nanahachi So, what can i say, I can't decide. |
Originally Posted by nanahachi Any further thoughts would really help. Cary owners, speak up!! |
Originally Posted by nanahachi Thanks for the ideas everyone. At this point, the main contenders are: * Meridian 588 * Meridian 508.x * Cary 303/x00 * Cary 306/x00 I have found a 588, 303/200, and 306/100 all at about $2000. Right now, I am truly stuck trying to decide between the Meridian 588 and the Cary 306/100. Sooooooo many good things have been said about the 588, especially from people whose opinions I respect, but I have no real experience with the player myself. I loved the Cary 306/200 that I listened to just a few weeks ago, and after talking to the people at Cary, the 306/100 is pretty much the same as the 200, except for some minor changes (upsampling to 192, not just 96 with the 306/100), newer HDCD chip, etc) So, what can i say, I can't decide. I'm terrible when it comes down to making a choice btwn 2 contenders, and I know that I probably can't go wrong either way. The Meridian is a safer bet (it's newer, has a warranty, etc), whereas the Cary is older (<3yrs) but built like a brickhouse. Any further thoughts would really help. Cary owners, speak up!! |
Originally Posted by tom hankins This is only my opinion. I have a Meridian 508.24, and a Cary 306/200. I use the Cary in the upsampled 24/192 mode all the time. it is a much nicer player than the 508.24. Better detail, more bass, and a more even balanced and smoother presentation. Through speaker systems they are closer than than through headphones. next to the Cary it just is not in the same league IMO. |