4 CDP's

[Dr.Bass]

That is your opinion and I fully respect it. Just to give some personal opinions, I belong to that camp which does not believe in auditioning in the same system, synergy etc as far as a source like CD player is concerned. It makes perfect sense to do that, for example, an amplifier-speaker combine where the speaker is the transducer changing the electrical energy to sound by mechanical means and the output to a great extent depends on how good the amplifier is able to control the speaker drivers.

As far as a source like CDP is conerned, it is the origin of everything and defines the boundaries of what you will hear from the speakers at the end of the link and so the source determines the resolution, timing, etc etc. I have also heard the Resolution Audio in different systems but never felt that it was lean, of course, my experience.

It is like writing an examination paper. Whether you use a Pilot or Parker or Dunhill or Cross pen, how good is your bond paper, what ultimately matters are the contents of what is finally written on the paper. This is determined by what is in the brain and as long as the contents of the brain are limited, the same will appear on the paper no matter how good the pen or paper is or how smooth the hand-pen-paper coordination is. As long as you don't know the answer to the question, it doesn't matter on the rest.

So some insights into the design of the CDP, quality of components used etc greatly help in its choice. I too had an Arcam CD-192 which is an excellent player but has its own limitations in design and quality, and when moving to a Ayre, I could notice the differences. I thought the Resolution Audio with its concept of 2-box design to keep the noisy and digital circuits separate sounded very well in whatever system I heard.

cheers.
murali

Yea, it could be a matter of taste.

 

[murali]

Yea, it could be a matter of taste.

Thanks.

But not always (I mean "a matter of taste"). Do you remember the Wadia 861SE which when it came out was more or less unanimously considered as the best single box CD player in the world? In fact it became the benchmark player. It has one of the finest transport systems (Pioneer), some great DACs, brilliant design and top quality components inside. You can never go wrong with that equipment as far as performance is concerned. Of course, it was no way cheap to own. But still, if we put it in a system of other good quality components, the system will "sing" with all its glory, but put it with some mediocre components like some A/V receiver, home theater speakers etc, the end result will be disappointing.

The point I am trying to make to the gentleman looking to replace the Arcam is whether he has looked into the rest of his sytem to make sure that a better player like Ayon or Ayre or whatever it may be will improve the sound he is getting now.

cheers.
murali

 

[Dr.Bass]

Thanks.

But not always (I mean "a matter of taste"). Do you remember the Wadia 861SE which when it came out was more or less unanimously considered as the best single box CD player in the world? In fact it became the benchmark player. It has one of the finest transport systems (Pioneer), some great DACs, brilliant design and top quality components inside. You can never go wrong with that equipment as far as performance is concerned. Of course, it was no way cheap to own. But still, if we put it in a system of other good quality components, the system will "sing" with all its glory, but put it with some mediocre components like some A/V receiver, home theater speakers etc, the end result will be disappointing.

The point I am trying to make to the gentleman looking to replace the Arcam is whether he has looked into the rest of his sytem to make sure that a better player like Ayon or Ayre or whatever it may be will improve the sound he is getting now.

cheers.
murali

Interestingly, I never could like the Wadia either. Some things about them were amazing but overall it was not for me.

Your point is valid though that a good CDP can only be appreciated in the company of equally good equipments (more or less). I do think Ajay's system can benefit from a CDP upgrade.

 

[ajay124]

@Murali
"The point I am trying to make to the gentleman looking to replace the Arcam is whether he has looked into the rest of his sytem to make sure that a better player like Ayon or Ayre or whatever it may be will improve the sound he is getting now."

I am looking into the rest of the system,to ensure whether a CDP upgrade would be worthwhile.Basically,what I am doing is,listening to various genres of music for 5-6 hours everyday
Since Chandigarh dealers,have nothing beyond Wharfedale,Jamo,Marantz,Yamaha
Denon,there are no auditions I can do here.I doubt,if any resident has anything I would be interested in auditioning.In Delhi I could visit Sound Of Music for Meridian.I did get a listen,on my last visit,but I was focusing more on the Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grand's and not on the Meridian.Beyond that,I don't think there is any option for auditioning a good CDP in Delhi.Perhaps someone from Delhi can suggest some place.
Therefore,I will have to rely on extensive 'virtual' research,followed by actual auditions in Mumbai?Chennai?Bangalore?+Singapore.
@Dr.Bass
"I do think Ajay's system can benefit from a CDP upgrade."
The reason I started a cdp upgrade thread (and not one for speakers or amps) is that I believe that the Arcam is already performing at it's maximum potential.It's a good cdp,great value for money,but it's probably giving it's best shot.The Bryston's,I believe have considerable unexpoited potential.The Vienna Acoustic's are the surprise package!They never seem to loose their superb touch,effortlessly handling,everything I throw at them.Not much is written about them on the net.But personally,I believe that they would give any similar or even higher priced,Sonus Faber,B&W,ATC,Spendor,Proac,Dynaudio a run for the money,and possibly emerge a winner.So,I believe that the VA's and I,have a long way to travel together!That just leaves the Arcam.It's the best I have ever had.But the day I hear a cdp which can considerably improve my experience of listening to the symphonies of Mahler and Beethoven,and is also in my budget range,I will say bye bye to the Arcam

 

[dranil]

The Shanling looks good not just for listening to music but also for flying to the moon
By and large has excellent reviews.Where did you buy it from?What is the price range?Can you provide more detail about your experience with the T1500.

Yes, the looks are also fantastic
I got it from Hongkong through one of my friends and the price was around
2500 US Dollars.

The experience, what should I say, is worth more than the money

 

[murali]

That is the point. The Bryston combo is often considered as a bit dry and bland in music thought it has excellent resolution and wonderful bass. Where they fall short are in the mid-range and upper bass. Try a good tube preamp like ARC or VTL or others instead and see whether you get more out of the Arcam. Before I forget, make sure your speaker cables are as short as possible. The Brystons never like longer ones. By the way, the earlier models had a completely different sound, more "solid state".

But of course, there are many who live happily with the Bryston pre-power combo and Brit made CDP like Arcam, Cyrus, MF etc.

Good luck in your quest.

murali

 

[prem]

For the budget the new Antelope Audio Zodiac DAC or the Weiss DAC with Mac Mini might be a better way to go.

 

[ajay124]

For the budget the new Antelope Audio Zodiac DAC or the Weiss DAC with Mac Mini might be a better way to go.

@prem
I am quite certain that I would only be looking at cdp's.Want to keep things minimalistic.Cdp,Pre,Power.No Dac.No Pc.

 

[arj]

For the budget the new Antelope Audio Zodiac DAC ...

Hi prem, this is the first time i am hearing of this.. have you heard this ? review seems pretty good

 

[prem]

Hi Arj, someone i know in Hong Kong was telling me its a very good dac. I trust his ears. I have not heard it. Antelope Audio are known for their clocks. In fact i am considering buying one.

 

[bhagwan]

For the budget the new Antelope Audio Zodiac DAC or the Weiss DAC with Mac Mini might be a better way to go.

Now you are talking;
However, the thread starter has specified - only CD Player.

My choice would be Ayre.

btw - Wadia 861 was a player I used a while back & except for the display, I did not have any issues with it. Lovely build - 6/10 performance.

 

[bhagwan]

Hi Arj, someone i know in Hong Kong was telling me its a very good dac. I trust his ears. I have not heard it. Antelope Audio are known for their clocks. In fact i am considering buying one.

clock or DAC ?

The Clocks are top line
The DAC's are mid line.

The Zodiac is a good 'go between' [interface]
As a stand alone DAC it may not 'suffice'
imho

 

[ajay124]

Does any forum member,especially in the NCR have an Ayre 5xe or 7xe?
Murali has mentioned on this thread that he has one.But since his location is 'neither here nor there' he would be hard to pin down

Has anybody heard the following?
Audio Reseach CD3/2
BAT VK-D5
Lector CDT-7
SoundStage! Equipment Review - Audio Research CD3 Mk II CD Player (4/2005)
Stereophile: Balanced Audio Technology VK-D5 CD player
SoundStage! Equipment Review - Lector CDP-7T/Mk III CD Player (8/2007)

Dr.Bass
"BTW,there is a demo Bluenote Stibbert Tube CDP on sale by the India dealer JNBSound."
JNBSound is Jacob Koshy,if I'm not mistaken?I have been in touch with Jacob a couple of times and he came across as very helpful and well informed.
Apparently below the Stibbert there is a Goldnote Koala too.Any information about this one.A cdp named after an Australian marsupial sounds promising!
Bluenote cd player

 

[prem]

Hi Shanti

What i meant was in that $2500 budget Antelope Audio Zodiac is a good dac. Its weak point i believe is its power supply. This friend of mine heard it with a much better power supply and said it was very good. But again it is in the context of $ 2500- $3000 dacs. With the external power supply he preferred it to the Ayre.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Dr.Bass
"BTW,there is a demo Bluenote Stibbert Tube CDP on sale by the India dealer JNBSound."
JNBSound is Jacob Koshy,if I'm not mistaken?I have been in touch with Jacob a couple of times and he came across as very helpful and well informed.
Apparently below the Stibbert there is a Goldnote Koala too.Any information about this one.A cdp named after an Australian marsupial sounds promising!
Bluenote cd player

I have not heard the Koala but it is a clear step down from the Stibbert is what I hear from people.

 

[awedeophile]

I too had the Wadia 861b. Never had any problems with it. Upgraded to the Cary SACD 306 Pro.

With regards to Ayre read the following post which shows that the Ayre DX-5 $10K player is a re-badged $500 Oppo!!

Ayre DX-5 at $10,000 is a rebadged $500 OPPO. - Head-Fi.org Community

 

[ajay124]

Hi Ajay
There is a used EMM labs single box cdp for sale. I think the model is the CD/SA. Google it.
Seller had offered it to me for 2L a week ago. I presume its still available.

Have heard this machine and it is great. Very different from the Cary on offer here on HFV. Both great machines with different sonics and both these are truly an upgrade to what u are currently using. IMO these are built to a different level as compared to the cdps u have listed.
Rgds

@Dinyaar
I notice that your CDP has changed from a Yamaha to an Accuphase.Grattan rates Accuphase very high,both the Amp and the CDP.What are your impressions as a user?

 

[murali]

I find a Audio Note CD player in hifi.com.sg for slightly over US$2,000 in their premium preowned sale list. Audio Note makes excellent players and may be worth taking a look. The dealer is very good and I had in the past bought some items from them and believe arj too has.

cheers.
murali

 

[ajay124]

@Murali
The Audio Note looks extremely well built and is available at a reasonable price.I may be going to Singapore next month and if it is still there I will check it out.
All sizes | Audio Note CD2.1x II - black | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Dr.Bass]

@Murali
The Audio Note looks extremely well built and is available at a reasonable price.I may be going to Singapore next month and if it is still there I will check it out.
All sizes | Audio Note CD2.1x II - black | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I like Audionote too. But I doubt this particular player would be able to beat the Bluenote Stibbert Tube player that is in your vicinity.