I thought I would copy this post from the AK forum which I posted before as it might be relevant to this thread:
I have been busily auditioning several brands of CD players since the demise and return of my very nice sounding MCD201 to my Mc dealer. I am keeping a very open mind on all players on the market and my budget could be anything from 201 price (3.5k) to MCD/MDA combo (15k).
Thought you might like to see what players I have on my shortlist of what I consider high end. Of course some may call these very high end whilst others will consider them medium-end. To each his own!
1. MCD/MDA 1000 combo (15k): Very Mc sounding piece. Obviously matches well with other Mc gear. Remote control is an embarrassment IMHO but player is very nice sounding. I consider it a better version of the 201's sonic signature which I guess is what you would expect. Also nice to have additional digital inputs but shame no analogue inputs. No SACD / DVD-A. Pre-amp capabilities a bonus. Won't go into sound signature as I guess we are familiar with this one.
2. Meridian 808(i) (12k(14k)); Huge machine but in black looks perfect with mc gear as well. Superb learning remote control. Can play DVD-A (not much use to me). Huge soundstage (up and to the side) IMHO more detailed and better depth than MCD/MDA, more detail but not digital sounding player at all (read:Wadia). Vocals and mid-range very smooth. Some might say a little 'polite'. I don't agree with this mis-nomer. Drawer is DVD-rom so quite rackety (like 201). 808i version has digital AND analogue inputs and both versions have volume control.
3. Metronome CD5 signature (10k); not sure why this player costs 18.5k in the USA . Great detail. Soundstage wide and tall. Sounds very smooth but ever so often can be fatiguing (which I was suprised about since it has a tube output). Was told that crystal cable may be too clear for it and to try Shunyata pythons (power and XLR). Absolute bullet proof build and top loading (which is nice). Great remote. In black matches Mc somewhat. Depth is not as great as Meridian. Volume control included. Redbook only. No inputs. Apparently T2i is more warm sounding (10k!!!!) so need to A/B soon. T2i in US is even more than CD5 (20k) so this is a real bargain in relative terms.
4. MBL 1521/1511 (14k); Massive top loader in black or silver. I think black has an illuminated blue logo (mc?). Very detailed but warm sound. Sound seems to extend beyond confines of room. Suprisingly engaging and relaxing sonic signature as I expected it to be harsh sounding. Digital and analogue inputs an option. Volume control. New version (F version) coming out any time now is a SACD transport and Dac. Bullet prood build. Good remote.
5. Burmester 061/001; (11-12k); awful!: highly detailed but head-ache producing. Fine if you like wadia and krell and esoteric but even more resolving. Great player I'm sure but no thanks! I read somewhere that the player was overly warm???? I think the reviewer was on drugs. Argued with the dealer who claims "detail is everything, resolution is king. You can always make it warm with cables." Bollocks.
6. Nagra new player or transport/dac (about 11k); not heard it yet. Looks swiss, looks funny but apparently sounds quite sweet and warm. Need to audition asap. Matches Mc like a daisy matches my dogs. Built like a brick shxt-house.
7. Audio Research Ref CD7 (7k); Also cheaper than US I think. Looks great in black, crappy remote. Nice top loader. Great clean, detailed sound. Dynamic. Sounded great with Magico Minis but not quite warm enough for my taste. A bargain IMHO. If wife beats my budget down, definitely a contender.
8. Lab 47 Pi-tracer and Progression DAC (27k); way too expensive and esoteric for my taste. Will scare my dogs when the top jiggles around. Not very resolving in detail but very musical.
9. Wadia / Krell / ML / Esoteric / Ayre / ; not quite to my taste as yet.
Hope this makes interesting reading.
howiebrou
p.s. I use Mcintosh pre-amp, power amp and Sonus Faber speakers.