Which CD Player for around Rs.50K ?

[gobble]

Here's a huge thread in PFM about the new CD/CDQ with a lot of inputs from the designer John Westlake. He was also behind the DaCapo, the original DacMagic and the Peachtree DAC's...

At last...................... - pink fish media

Good thread but ....

Originally Posted by JohnW
The problem is to find partnering Amplifiers / Speakers that will do the 8200CD/CDQ/DQ justice at ANYWHERE near the price (Really dont ask me.) I well (maybe) be designing a new amplifier for AudioLab to match but this is still 6 to 9 months away

Immediately made me suspicious like another forum member took it up hyeah:

I know that you are highly respected by members here, so you deserve a lot of leeway, and I'd like to hear your DAC for sure. But these sorts of statements really raise red flags IMO. There really aren't any value priced amps that would be good enough for your DAC unless you designed it?

 

[grubyhalo]

Parental pride maybe?

 

[reignofchaos]

Rega Apollo is a good option.

Recently I had a chance to audition an Ayon CD-2s at my home and I compared the sound of the transport playing the physical disc to my computer with an EMU sound card serving out data through SPDIF with the same CD ripped.

It was a no contest. I completely and totally preferred the latter. The cd transport was not even close to the sound card.

I shall not be buying a disc spinner ever after that experience of mine.

 

[gobble]

Rega Apollo is a good option.

Recently I had a chance to audition an Ayon CD-2s at my home and I compared the sound of the transport playing the physical disc to my computer with an EMU sound card serving out data through SPDIF with the same CD ripped.

It was a no contest. I completely and totally preferred the latter. The cd transport was not even close to the sound card.

I shall not be buying a disc spinner ever after that experience of mine.

Hmmm I read the last few pages of the thread on pinkfishmedia. The unit has a host of problems with QA/QC. People are reporting the CDP DoA (Dead on Arrival) and the dot matrix screen is too small with even smaller fonts to be useful. And the CD tray is not only el-cheapo flimsy but the cds keeps jumping out and getting stuck in the door when inserting.

Going by the problem reports, definitely not worth risking an import from abroad. The cost of replacement will be too high on shipping.

Think the issue is settled, The xonar it is. Lets hope my results compare favorably like yours

HTH

 

[Kittu]

Think the issue is settled, The xonar it is. Lets hope my results compare favorably like yours

HTH

I will be closely watching this thread..

Xonar/transport/CDP/DAC whoz tha winner ?

 

[avidyarthy]

I will be closely watching this thread..

Xonar/transport/CDP/DAC whoz tha winner ?

me too ....... though was not concerned too much when this thread started ...

 

[Shivam]

I had looked into these other options too but I hate the noise from fans to keep the system quiet. This is the main reason why I am still interested in a decent cd-player.

( I have a hard disc based media player and my choice was based on the absence of a fan in it apart from sonic considerations !!! )

I am interested in a couple of players from NAD and Rega Apollo. Audiolab is a new option that has been opened up for me to consider.

 

[ravi_d]

Immediately made me suspicious like another forum member took it up hyeah:

I have been following that thread for a month or so and almost went through all the 100+ pages in that thread. Its good to see the designers contributing to answer the queries.

There are many choices of power amps in the market out there for those going for the 8200 CDQ CD Player with pre amp or 8200 DQ DAC with pre amp.

I'm sure as per the reviews these new Audiolab CD Players should be better then Rega Apollo. For those considering a CD Player in the range of a Rega Apollo and an external DAC for other digital sources the Audiolab 8200 CD/CDQ will be a better choice. A pure Class A headphone amp is what you get on all their products except 8200CD CD-Player.

As suggested by Venkat you still can have a music PC with a Xonar sound card connected to one of the audiolab CD Player or DAC and have a great sound quality.

I would like to share some pics of Audiolab's M-DAC and 8200 DQ from the same thread on PFM forum

Audiolab's MDAC - DAC with pre amp. Only digital inputs. Yet to be released

Audiolab's 8200 DQ - DAC with a pre amp. Both analog and digital inputs. Yet to be released.

NOTE: I'm not related to Audiolab in any way. I'm just interested in their products like others.

 

[longshanks]

Rega Apollo is a good option.

Recently I had a chance to audition an Ayon CD-2s at my home and I compared the sound of the transport playing the physical disc to my computer with an EMU sound card serving out data through SPDIF with the same CD ripped.

It was a no contest. I completely and totally preferred the latter. The cd transport was not even close to the sound card.

I shall not be buying a disc spinner ever after that experience of mine.

Was the digital out from emu fed into the NOS dac and the NOS DAC's analog out was fed to pre amp ?

This sounded better than ayon cd payer's analog out?


Let me know cause iam in the process of changing the resistors in my NOS DAC.

 

[venkatcr]

I had looked into these other options too but I hate the noise from fans to keep the system quiet. This is the main reason why I am still interested in a decent cd-player.

You get really quiet fans nowadays. Even ordinary fans that I have on my PC does not even flick the SPL dial beyond 1 meter. Some new processors also claim completely passive cooling with no fans. Just a little effort is needed. Believe me, unless you have a completely dead room, the PC is not louder than the usual collateral noise that you have in a room.

But the upside after listening to Xonar STX is a massively in favour of a PC based system.

Cheers

 

[venkatcr]

And if that is not enough, some companies make audiophile HD based players. One example is Naim's HDX Player. I am sure there are a number of other options available.

Cheers

 

[reignofchaos]

Was the digital out from emu fed into the NOS dac and the NOS DAC's analog out was fed to pre amp ?

This sounded better than ayon cd payer's analog out?


Let me know cause iam in the process of changing the resistors in my NOS DAC.

The CD player has an SPDIF in which was being fed by the EMU. There's no DAC in the chain. Its basically the CD player being fed SPDIF data compared to the same CD being played on the CD player.

 

[longshanks]

^ OK got it. So the internal dac in the ayon cd player is good.

 

[gobble]

You get really quiet fans nowadays. Even ordinary fans that I have on my PC does not even flick the SPL dial beyond 1 meter. Some new processors also claim completely passive cooling with no fans. Just a little effort is needed. Believe me, unless you have a completely dead room, the PC is not louder than the usual collateral noise that you have in a room.

But the upside after listening to Xonar STX is a massively in favour of a PC based system.

Cheers

Right. I was going to post the same thoughts but work kept me busy. A silent PC is more feasible today than it was 3 to 4 years back.

--Rahul

 

[Shivam]

And if that is not enough, some companies make audiophile HD based players. One example is Naim's HDX Player. I am sure there are a number of other options available.

Cheers

That's why I already have an audiophile HD based player and a net-streamer. I could not get my PC as quiet as my fanless media player even though I tried a lot.

I still need a good cd player. Suggestions are welcome. Please include the contact information of dealer too.

 

[Shivam]

After checking out the various options (including Audiolab, Marantz etc.), I have narrowed down to two models-
Rega Apollo
NAD C565

Now I have to find a dealer where I can hear them out.

 

[Lakozy Electronics]

After checking out the various options (including Audiolab, Marantz etc.), I have narrowed down to two models-
Rega Apollo
NAD C565

Now I have to find a dealer where I can hear them out.

Dr. Shivam you can hear NAD 565BEE at our Lajpat Nagar Showroom in New Delhi, please give us a call to fix up a demo appointment.

Ashish
9910041260

 

[Shivam]

Dr. Shivam you can hear NAD 565BEE at our Lajpat Nagar Showroom in New Delhi, please give us a call to fix up a demo appointment.

Ashish
9910041260

Can a demo be arranged where I can compare NAD 565, 545 ? Do you have Rega Apollo too ?

 

[Lakozy Electronics]

Can a demo be arranged where I can compare NAD 565, 545 ? Do you have Rega Apollo too ?

Yes we have both the NAD model for demo with us so you can do a comparison between the two.

Ashish

 

[spirovious]

shivam,

have you auditioned the marantz KI pearl lite CDP? if not pls listen to it.
this cdp is just beauty can also be used as DAC with digital and usb input.this is the only player along with audiolab 8200cd with dac facility.globally both are priced similar.marantz takes the edge because of usb as transport.

NAD & CA CDP come with optical & coax input,but no USB.