Tuberoller
Divorced an Orpheus to keep his wife.
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2001
- Posts
- 4,941
- Likes
- 15
I spent the better part of a year auditioning players in my system,at meets,dealers and shows. I still have three borrowed players that have to be returned. There are a lot of great players out here and my earlier theories about the gap between the best and worst being very small were proven at least partially false. I'm willing to admit that I learned a lot about the state of high-end digital and that's saying a lot about an analog freak like myself.
Anyway,My top three:
Meridian G08 - This player reminds me of clean water,it's clear,liquid and satisfying. This is the most analog sounding player I have yet heard. There is detail,dynamics and smoothness in great measures and an overall resolution that I have not heard in much more expensive players. This player truly sounds like a well executed analog rig. I bought the unit I borrowed.
Accuphase DP-85 - I came very close to buying this player until the G08 showed up. My decision to go with the G08 had more to do with my disgust with the way SACD is being marketed than any shortcomings of the DP-85. It had great redbook playback and absolutely stunning SACD playback. It lacked some of the analog midrange qualities of the G08 but still was hard to return at the end of my audition.
Teac Esoteric DV-50 - this is a tough one. I am really not enjoying the latest "universal players" but the DV-50 is the best I've auditioned so far. It sounds good with redbook,very good with SACD playback and absolutely amazing on DVD-A playback. The redbook playback was a bit of a letdown and the SACD playback is a little better than some Sonys I've heard but the DV-50 is so far superior to the latest Marantz,Denon,Linn,Bel Canto and McCormack players I've auditioned ,that it deserves at least a mention. If Teac could work on making this player sound less "digital" it would be even better. I did'nt keep this and instead went with a Musichall Maverick which offers equal SACD and superior redbook playback to my ears. Right now this is the universal player to beat.
I hate that I can only mention three because there are so many players I've heard that deserve some consideration. Standout players that I really like are the
Wadia 302- excellent in so many ways and a big departure from the Wadia sound. Very nice build,great midrange and stunning treble detail.
Musichall Maverick -I bought this player after an audition and have enjoyed it immensely since. It plays back SACD nearly as good as I've heard it and does a very good job with redbook playback as well. Upsampling does'nt hurt and this player has downright killer dynamics and bass definition. QC has been an isuue and the "quirkiness" of this player keep me offering a budget component alert.
Cambridge Audio Azur 640C - To my ears this player sounds almost exactly like the Arcam players I like so much. Definition is very good and bass is great. This is the least expensive player I've heard that does really good redbook playback. next to the Philips 963SA,I think this is THE budget source component,especially if SACD playback is not required.
Sorry,I mentioned six but I think these players are great for a variety of reasons and all should be considered amongst the "best"
Anyway,My top three:
Meridian G08 - This player reminds me of clean water,it's clear,liquid and satisfying. This is the most analog sounding player I have yet heard. There is detail,dynamics and smoothness in great measures and an overall resolution that I have not heard in much more expensive players. This player truly sounds like a well executed analog rig. I bought the unit I borrowed.
Accuphase DP-85 - I came very close to buying this player until the G08 showed up. My decision to go with the G08 had more to do with my disgust with the way SACD is being marketed than any shortcomings of the DP-85. It had great redbook playback and absolutely stunning SACD playback. It lacked some of the analog midrange qualities of the G08 but still was hard to return at the end of my audition.
Teac Esoteric DV-50 - this is a tough one. I am really not enjoying the latest "universal players" but the DV-50 is the best I've auditioned so far. It sounds good with redbook,very good with SACD playback and absolutely amazing on DVD-A playback. The redbook playback was a bit of a letdown and the SACD playback is a little better than some Sonys I've heard but the DV-50 is so far superior to the latest Marantz,Denon,Linn,Bel Canto and McCormack players I've auditioned ,that it deserves at least a mention. If Teac could work on making this player sound less "digital" it would be even better. I did'nt keep this and instead went with a Musichall Maverick which offers equal SACD and superior redbook playback to my ears. Right now this is the universal player to beat.
I hate that I can only mention three because there are so many players I've heard that deserve some consideration. Standout players that I really like are the
Wadia 302- excellent in so many ways and a big departure from the Wadia sound. Very nice build,great midrange and stunning treble detail.
Musichall Maverick -I bought this player after an audition and have enjoyed it immensely since. It plays back SACD nearly as good as I've heard it and does a very good job with redbook playback as well. Upsampling does'nt hurt and this player has downright killer dynamics and bass definition. QC has been an isuue and the "quirkiness" of this player keep me offering a budget component alert.
Cambridge Audio Azur 640C - To my ears this player sounds almost exactly like the Arcam players I like so much. Definition is very good and bass is great. This is the least expensive player I've heard that does really good redbook playback. next to the Philips 963SA,I think this is THE budget source component,especially if SACD playback is not required.
Sorry,I mentioned six but I think these players are great for a variety of reasons and all should be considered amongst the "best"