[markl]

Hi bifcake. The 555ES Hot Rod is by far and away the best Redbook CDP I've ever owned. Redbook CDs on the 555ES Hot Rod sound subjectively better than SACDs/DVD-As on other $1000-$1200 players I've owned. You won't have to throw out your CDs or replace them with SACDs if you don't want to, nor will you sacrifice on Redbook performance. SACD playback is just a nice bonus on this machine. Cheers.

 

[jefemeister]

check out the thread about the recent detroit meet at Jude's house.

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=44538

 

[Nightfall]

Quote:

Originally posted by markl Hi bifcake. The 555ES Hot Rod is by far and away the best Redbook CDP I've ever owned. Redbook CDs on the 555ES Hot Rod sound subjectively better than SACDs/DVD-As on other $1000-$1200 players I've owned. You won't have to throw out your CDs or replace them with SACDs if you don't want to, nor will you sacrifice on Redbook performance. SACD playback is just a nice bonus on this machine. Cheers.

I couldnt agree more. At this point in time, I couldnt possibly see any logic in spending more than the $1200-1400. 00 that the Hot Rod costs. The sound with Redbook cds is simply superb.


JC

 

[bifcake]

Those are some strong recommendations considering how adamant I am about getting REALLY GOOD CD performance. I'll have to definitely check that bad boy out!

Thank you.

 

[smokey]

bifcake,

There truly is no substitute for your own ears. Audition players to narrow your choices, then see if a dealer you trust will lend you a unit to try for a weekend or so.

If you must buy blindly, I like Cary a lot. I just bought my fourth. (306/200, 303/200, 303/100, 308) But reasonable people differ, and I can see where some would like MF, ML, Meridian, AA, etc.

After conversations with Carlo, I'm now with you on the hi-res thing. With SACD II just around the corner, it doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on SACD I. On the other hand, Redbook has 20 years of experience and a lot of software, that IMHO makes the investment in a great Redbook player worthwhile.

 

[markl]

Quote:

With SACD II just around the corner, it doesn't make sense to spend big bucks on SACD I.

As far as I am aware, we still don't know IF there is an SACD2 let alone what it might be, or if there may be any compatibility issues. If there is an SACD2, I am betting that there will be no backward or forward compatibility issues, that would be suicide for the format, and they just aren't that dumb. From what we "know" so far from the *rumor*, is that SACD2 will add video content to match DVD-A's capability. Maybe you want to look at still photos of the artist on your TV while you listen, may not.

 

[bifcake]

To me, the SACD capabilities of a player are irrelevant anyway. If a SACD player has class A redbook playback capabilities and runs for under a grand, I'm there!!!

 

[KrooLism]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bifcake /img/forum/go_quote.gif Given a choice of REDBOOK playback ONLY, which of the following would you choose? a) Musical Fidelity NUVista b) Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista c) Cary CD player d) Separate transport and DAC combo e) Other Keep in mind that we're talking about Class A and we're trying to keep our price range under $5k on the used market

I know you said that SACD playback is of no consequence, but you may regret that some day if you just buy a redbook CD player.

Why not plan and anticipate the future.
Like smokey said, audition a few players and see which one suits your ears. Even go into a hi-fi store with your headphone amp and ref cans and demo that way.

I found my M902 -> Cardas -> HD-650 was far far more accurate and detailed for referencing than any of their listening rooms.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrooLism /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know you said that SACD playback is of no consequence, but you may regret that some day if you just buy a redbook CD player. Why not plan and anticipate the future. Like smokey said, audition a few players and see which one suits your ears. Even go into a hi-fi store with your headphone amp and ref cans and demo that way. I found my M902 -> Cardas -> HD-650 was far far more accurate and detailed for referencing than any of their listening rooms.

You quote yourself in your sig?

 

[bifcake]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrooLism /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know you said that SACD playback is of no consequence, but you may regret that some day if you just buy a redbook CD player. Why not plan and anticipate the future. Like smokey said, audition a few players and see which one suits your ears. Even go into a hi-fi store with your headphone amp and ref cans and demo that way. I found my M902 -> Cardas -> HD-650 was far far more accurate and detailed for referencing than any of their listening rooms.

There are a number of reasons why I don't go for SACD

1. I don't think SACD is the future. In fact, I think it's a dead format. It will be replaced either by blue ray or hddvd or some other variant of it.

2. Most SACD players don't play redbook as well as dedicated redbook players.

3. I'm not about to switch my entire CD collection to SACD

4. The difference in SACD vs CD isn't that great to warrant other compromises.

 

[DigiPete]

For much less than $2000 you can get a SACDmods modded Denon 3910 or SACDmods Sony 9100ES, both have killer Redbook and SACD, and the Denon adds DVD-A to boot.

Unmodded I would look at the Rega Saturn or the Denon 3930CI.

 

[jp11801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigiPete /img/forum/go_quote.gif For much less than $2000 you can get a SACDmods modded Denon 3910 or SACDmods Sony 9100ES, both have killer Redbook and SACD, and the Denon adds DVD-A to boot. Unmodded I would look at the Rega Saturn or the Denon 3930CI.

I have to second the modded Denon choice I have an Exemplar 2900 and it is the goods, I own a Wadia 302 and sold an Ayre cx7e and I think it is superior to either

 

[bifcake]

I have no desire to go the modified component route.

 

[ezkcdude]

Am I the first to mention SqueezeBox? Come on, folks! CD players are so passe.

 

[PsychoZX]

Esoteric DV-60 would be my choice.