High End Red Book CD Player Opinions?

[Welly Wu]

e

 

[PATB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu Thanks for the notice. I think that that particular Meridian G08 needs to be sent back to Meridian for a firmware update so it can playback DualDiscs.

I believe Meridian's new stance is NO dual disc with the G08. If you like dual disc, do not buy a G08.

The G08 is also picky with CDs. I have two CDs that will make whirring sounds when played in the G08. I can copy these CD's and the copy will not make the annoying sound. Meridian's stance on this is that the G08 reads the disc at least 4x faster than regular players, resulting in slightly warped discs making the whirring sound. I can duplicate this problem with any G08 even the one in my dealer. Meridian claims that this is not an issue because a) the whirring sound is not loud enough to affect speaker people (I sit next to the player, so it affects me, although I can't hear it with music playing); b) the problem can be "fixed" by copying the CD; and c) it only affects a very low number of CDs (two in my collection of 400+ CDs). Still, with the street price of $3400 when I got mine over a year ago, this is not acceptable to me. I have no problems with the sound whatsoever. Nevertheless, given this level of "support" from Meridian, I would NOT recommend getting a G08.

Welly, you should read the February Stereophile "review/update" on the Ayre CX-7e (evolution).

EDIT: This may be OT, but I did not vote in your poll because if I were to do it all over again, I would get top notch DAC, like a Meitner or Reimyo, instead.

 

[Welly Wu]

.

 

[Bosch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATB The G08 is also picky with CDs. I have two CDs that will make whirring sounds when played in the G08. I can copy these CD's and the copy will not make the annoying sound. Meridian's stance on this is that the G08 reads the disc at least 4x faster than regular players, resulting in slightly warped discs making the whirring sound. I can duplicate this problem with any G08 even the one in my dealer. Meridian claims that this is not an issue because a) the whirring sound is not loud enough to affect speaker people (I sit next to the player, so it affects me, although I can't hear it with music playing); b) the problem can be "fixed" by copying the CD; and c) it only affects a very low number of CDs (two in my collection of 400+ CDs). Still, with the street price of $3400 when I got mine over a year ago, this is not acceptable to me. I have no problems with the sound whatsoever. Nevertheless, given this level of "support" from Meridian, I would NOT recommend getting a G08.

Agreed. Their customer support/arrogance is pathetic in this regard. G08...'G' for glitchy? I went for it anyway, despite such portents of doom. Originally, I had decided against the G08 for these reasons, but the secondhand carrot swayed me. No serious problems yet, touch wood, just fabulous music!

Here are some links to various online CD player reviews in Stereophile:

Original Ayre CX-7 - http://stereophile.com/cdplayers/840/

Other players - http://www.stereophile.com/cdplayers/

Boschy

 

[insomniac]

Me too, I've never had a single problem with my G08, reading discs or otherwise. Never dealt with their customer service, so I can't comment on that.

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATB The G08 is also picky with CDs. I have two CDs that will make whirring sounds when played in the G08. I can copy these CD's and the copy will not make the annoying sound. Meridian's stance on this is that the G08 reads the disc at least 4x faster than regular players, resulting in slightly warped discs making the whirring sound. I can duplicate this problem with any G08 even the one in my dealer. Meridian claims that this is not an issue because a) the whirring sound is not loud enough to affect speaker people (I sit next to the player, so it affects me, although I can't hear it with music playing); b) the problem can be "fixed" by copying the CD; and c) it only affects a very low number of CDs (two in my collection of 400+ CDs). Still, with the street price of $3400 when I got mine over a year ago, this is not acceptable to me. I have no problems with the sound whatsoever. Nevertheless, given this level of "support" from Meridian, I would NOT recommend getting a G08.

Now that you mention it I have noticed the whirring sound on one or two discs - off the top of my head I can recall one disc that always whirs. The vast majority of discs play quietly. Honestly I'm a bit relieved that it's not indicative of a problem with my specific unit.

It really doesn't bother me one bit. My two main concerns are sound quality and aesthetics. If gear has those qualities in spades I can put up with a minor quirk or two; nothing's perfect. Actually, as I recall my Denon DVD-2910 universal player has more frequent and more annoying whirring and is picky reading certain discs that the G08 has no problem with.

Fortunately my Audio Technica L3000 headphones are closed. This isolates any G08 whirring such that I'm free to enjoy the microphonic KenRad hum and Audio Technica rattle in their full splendor

 

[Alwayswantmore]

I own an Ayre amp and love it. I also own a Wadia CDP and love it. Its been a number of years since I looked at CDPs, but if I were in the market I would at least include Wadia in my "long list" of considerations.

Here are a few things that I like about my Wadia (beyond great SQ)...

The digital volume control allows me to vary the volume to the headphone amp without loss of SQ

The Wadia can drive both balanced and unbalanced outputs at the same time, so I have direct connections to both my Ayre and Aria (at the same time)

Wadia's digital volume control allowed me to remove my Audio Research pre-amp from my setup, which improved the sound

The combination of using the Wadia direct to amp + going balanced made big improvements in SQ

The Wadia has the option for digital inputs – I run my DVD audio through the Wadia – using the Wadia as a digital pre-amp to drive the Ayre

This is not a recommendation, just putting Wadia out there to see if you've considered this brand.

P.S. My audio dealer carries both Wadia and Ayre (Mark at Audio Perfection in Minneapolis). He's been in the business for years, and I trust him.

 

[magnum]

Not one problem with my G08 ether. The costomer support I've dealt with but only for upgrades when I had the 508. I didn't have problem with them, maybe because I purchased it from the nearest dealer, they seemed to make a big deal that that was my nearest dealer.

 

[Welly Wu]

.

 

[Welly Wu]

.

 

[Loftprojection]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu I am searching for a sound that is tonally accurate above all with sweeping dynamics, open clarity, and perfect balance along with a silky smoothness in the midband. A kindred soul for my equipment, if you please. I am financially prepared to spend whatever it will take to own the right Compact Disc player for my needs and not one single Lincoln more.

I know it's not made in the US but from the sound characteristics you describe, you might want to take a look at a relatively unknown company, Audio Aero.

 

[Patrick82]

Cary 303/300 is probably the last audio player I will ever own, because the 768 kHz upsampling has great synergy with my brain. There is nothing wrong with this CD player, it just shows the weaknesses of other components in the system which is why some people don't like it, but the problems can be solved...


Power conditioning

Power conditioning made a difference even though this player has buffered power supplies, A/B-ing didn't show big differences but long-term listening was much more enjoyable.

Stock cord plugged into the wall sounded compressed and bright like I was like listening to mp3.
Nordost Vishnu plugged into a PS Audio Power Plant sounded only little better. But when using a Nordost Valhalla power cord I didn't hear any weaknesses at all, it was neutral top to bottom and had more resolution and warmth. The layering was impressive and I could hear sounds at different depths easier.

So if I would compare the cords:

Stock cord + wall = 4/10
Nordost Vishnu + Power Plant = 5/10
Nordost Valhalla + Power Plant = 10/10

Surprisingly, the biggest bang for the buck is the Valhalla and not the Vishnu. Especially if you have bright cans like K1000.


Isolation

Solid-tech 3 step isolation (Reference 3) made a huge difference for the Cary, even though the transport doesn't need it because it re-clocks the signal.
But I haven't done any A/B-ing to confirm this like with the Valhalla, and I'm not sure I need to either.
This was the last upgrade I made to my system and it also made the biggest improvement I have heard. There was a lot more resolution, clarity and warmth. The sibilance was completely gone and all I could hear was the boosted treble in my brightest albums, there was no fatigue at all and it was very relaxing. For the first time I could listen to the music and not my audio system!! My job was done...


Using power conditioning and isolation cured the upgraditis for me, I don't need any better. I have now turned into a videophile.

 

[Welly Wu]

.

 

[Welly Wu]

.

 

[tkam]

You might want to add the Resolution Audio Opus 21 to your list. I picked up a used one a few weeks ago and it is a really nice player.