Quest for the Best - High End CD Player

[vcoheda]

this website has some pretty thorough reviews of the Cambridge Audio Azur 840C, Rega Apollo, Ayre CX-7e and other CD players.

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Real_Hi...2Q2F3X6?page=3

 

[tmarshl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by howiebrou /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you considered just getting a DAC to output your MS300 through? A standalone DAC would be cheaper than a player of the same quality and you can use the DAC for other inputs like wireless beaming etc. MDA1000?? howiebrou

Funny you should mention that. For the last two years I have been running the digital coax output from my MS300 through an MDA 1000 DAC. I used FLAC for recording my 600 CDs. I would say this setup is great for casual listening, incredibly convenient. I am certainly going to keep this setup, particularly since it was such an ordeal getting those 600 CDs into the MS300.

But the difference between a music server and a high-end CDP is dramatic, and like every audiophile, I am on an endless quest for "better".

 

[tmarshl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif this website has some pretty thorough reviews of the Cambridge Audio Azur 840C, Rega Apollo, Ayre CX-7e and other CD players. http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Real_Hi...2Q2F3X6?page=3

I hadn't seen that site before. Thanks for the link.

 

[bordins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmarshl /img/forum/go_quote.gif But the difference between a music server and a high-end CDP is dramatic, and like every audiophile, I am on an endless quest for "better".

Even better if you could find a DAC that can reproduce "high-end" sounds from lossless FLACs. I almost find one, mentioned about.

 

[seacard]

If price is not object, the EMM CDSA SE seems like the best choice of the ones mentioned. I had a chance to compare the CDSA with the Prestige, and the CDSA sounded much better to me. It was very clean and transparent, while the Prestige was a bit too warm. Having said that, both are excellent players, and along with the Wadia 581 would be at the top of my list.

Just make sure you do need SACD. I almost never do comparisons on SACD when I audition gear because I have over 1000 Redbook CDs, and about 30 SACDs. Redbook is my main priority, and if Redbook sounded substantially better on a Redbook only player than on an SACD player, I would pick that one and sacrifice my ability to play SACD layers.

 

[neilvg]

I think for the price (or even at the price, depending on your outlook), my vote would also be the EMM CDSA SE. And only because it is the SE version of the player. The older EMM Labs DAC was not nearly as good as the new version and this alone makes it one of if not the best digital I have heard (minus maybe a certain stratospheric modded esoteric

). But anyway, I've heard many many players, and the Wadia is also very nice, built like a tank, and sounds great, BUT, I personally liked the Meitner better, especially with headphones.

There are so many CDP's out there... I heard the Nagra. VERY good, very small, stylish, etc... I don't know how it competes with the Meitner per se, but it is nice, but I believe it is around 10K. The sound of the Nagra, like the Meitner, is a marriage between Euphony and Analysis. Maybe a bit more on the Analytical side.

I have the DV50 and I've heard the DV60 along side it. They sound very very similar. If you must have 1080P, and silver, go with the DV60. For build quality, less expense (used Audiogon prices are a steal!) and the option between black and silver, go DV50. The video playback is very good with the DV50s as well.

Neil

 

[seacard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvg /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think for the price (or even at the price, depending on your outlook), my vote would also be the EMM CDSA SE. And only because it is the SE version of the player. The older EMM Labs DAC was not nearly as good as the new version and this alone makes it one of if not the best digital I have heard (minus maybe a certain stratospheric modded esoteric ). But anyway, I've heard many many players, and the Wadia is also very nice, built like a tank, and sounds great, BUT, I personally liked the Meitner better, especially with headphones. There are so many CDP's out there... I heard the Nagra. VERY good, very small, stylish, etc... I don't know how it competes with the Meitner per se, but it is nice, but I believe it is around 10K. The sound of the Nagra, like the Meitner, is a marriage between Euphony and Analysis. Maybe a bit more on the Analytical side. I have the DV50 and I've heard the DV60 along side it. They sound very very similar. If you must have 1080P, and silver, go with the DV60. For build quality, less expense (used Audiogon prices are a steal!) and the option between black and silver, go DV50. The video playback is very good with the DV50s as well. Neil

Neil,

Have you heard the Meridian 808 (or 808i)? How does it compare to the CDSA? And how are the new Esoterics (i.e. SA60, etc.)?

Thanks.

 

[neilvg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seacard /img/forum/go_quote.gif Neil, Have you heard the Meridian 808 (or 808i)? How does it compare to the CDSA? And how are the new Esoterics (i.e. SA60, etc.)? Thanks.

I only heard the 808 for brief periods and never with the mind for comparison. I love the G08 (probably one of the best in its class) and the 808 sounds like a much more refined and detailed version. The G08 is very smooth and musical, but not necessarily the most detailed. The 808 is very detailed but still with the smooth nature. Very nice. I thought it sounded a bit colored though, and it certainly imparted its own style to the music.

I have not heard any of the SA Esoteric line.

Neil

 

[tmarshl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by seacard /img/forum/go_quote.gif If price is not object, the EMM CDSA SE seems like the best choice of the ones mentioned. I had a chance to compare the CDSA with the Prestige, and the CDSA sounded much better to me. It was very clean and transparent, while the Prestige was a bit too warm. Having said that, both are excellent players, and along with the Wadia 581 would be at the top of my list. Just make sure you do need SACD. I almost never do comparisons on SACD when I audition gear because I have over 1000 Redbook CDs, and about 30 SACDs. Redbook is my main priority, and if Redbook sounded substantially better on a Redbook only player than on an SACD player, I would pick that one and sacrifice my ability to play SACD layers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvg /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think for the price (or even at the price, depending on your outlook), my vote would also be the EMM CDSA SE. And only because it is the SE version of the player. The older EMM Labs DAC was not nearly as good as the new version and this alone makes it one of if not the best digital I have heard (minus maybe a certain stratospheric modded esoteric ). But anyway, I've heard many many players, and the Wadia is also very nice, built like a tank, and sounds great, BUT, I personally liked the Meitner better, especially with headphones. ... Neil

So far, the EMM Labs CDSA SE is at the top of my list as well. I have a few more CDPs to audition before I decide, but it is clear that we share the same appreciation for the Meitner one-box product.

 

[Icarium]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvg /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think for the price (or even at the price, depending on your outlook), my vote would also be the EMM CDSA SE. And only because it is the SE version of the player. The older EMM Labs DAC was not nearly as good as the new version and this alone makes it one of if not the best digital I have heard (minus maybe a certain stratospheric modded esoteric ). But anyway, I've heard many many players, and the Wadia is also very nice, built like a tank, and sounds great, BUT, I personally liked the Meitner better, especially with headphones. There are so many CDP's out there... I heard the Nagra. VERY good, very small, stylish, etc... I don't know how it competes with the Meitner per se, but it is nice, but I believe it is around 10K. The sound of the Nagra, like the Meitner, is a marriage between Euphony and Analysis. Maybe a bit more on the Analytical side. I have the DV50 and I've heard the DV60 along side it. They sound very very similar. If you must have 1080P, and silver, go with the DV60. For build quality, less expense (used Audiogon prices are a steal!) and the option between black and silver, go DV50. The video playback is very good with the DV50s as well. Neil

True that Neil, the black DV50s is a thing of beauty, down with silver!

Edit: If you are thinking about going for the Capitole/Prestiege... I know Foo_me is thinking about upgrading from a Capitole to the EMM Stack... he needs more impressions first, but I think he basically feels that it is an upgrade. That's for his set up and this is only my recollection of his thoughts, I may be wrong!

 

[tmarshl]

Does anybody know if the EMM Labs CDSA SE is available with a black faceplate?

 

[Akathriel]

Highly Doubtful. I've never seen a black EMM anything. Its part of the brand recognition.

 

[neilvg]

Yeah, no black, sorry to say. I do like black, and now that I've made the decision to go all silver for my rig... I find myself wanting some black only gear

Oh well... if that's all I have to put up with in my quest for audio nirvana... not too shaby. Except for the really high end "brand recognition" dudes, most items come in both colors.

Neil

 

[tambrose]

Linn Unidisc 1.1 is a great CD player, SACD player, and DVD player.

 

[tmarshl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akathriel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Highly Doubtful. I've never seen a black EMM anything. Its part of the brand recognition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, no black, sorry to say. I do like black, and now that I've made the decision to go all silver for my rig... I find myself wanting some black only gear Oh well... if that's all I have to put up with in my quest for audio nirvana... not too shaby. Except for the really high end "brand recognition" dudes, most items come in both colors. Neil

I guess I could always pull the faceplate and have it anodized in black.