Thinking about a CD player, any opinions of these?

V

vortrex

New member
Joined
Jun 4, 2014
Messages
239
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
My rig has always been strictly vinyl. I don't want a DAC. I do see where a CD player could come in handy for certain circumstances though. I currently have a Shindo based system.

Any opinions on these and how they would compare to each other?

Audio Note CD3.1x
EAR Acute 3
Esoteric K-05
 
The EAR Acute 3 is outstanding. I had one and I'm sorry that I sold it. Tremendous 3D, wonderful sounding and so musical.

I recently heard an Audio Note CD player, not sure what model. I think that would be awesome too.
 
I had read your old thread Joe, which made me add it to the list. Is there anything else you can compare it to?
 
You might want to see if Jonathan can still get either one of the two Line Magnetic decks, especially the the 515. They should be in line with the Shindo sound you like.

LM Audio
 
I agree with Joe and I'll add that any one of those players on your list will be good. The Marantz CD players even down to the 5004 model do well too (Marantz did a good job on dac implementation on their entire CD player line). It's kind of hard to make a bad choice in CD players unless you go for the low-end, $100 run of mill ones in my opinion.
 
Another option if cost is not important is the Acoustic Plan Vadi which he also carries, but it is serious money. As of the only review I could find almost two years ago 12,000 Euros.
 
Jack said:
You might want to see if Jonathan can still get either one of the two Line Magnetic decks, especially the the 515. They should be in line with the Shindo sound you like.

LM Audio
Click to expand...

I had the LM 215 and thought it was great once the tubes were swapped out. Hoping to take it up a notch or two now.
 
Jack said:
Another option if cost is not important is the Acoustic Plan Vadi which he also carries, but it is serious money. As of the only review I could find almost two years ago 12,000 Euros.
Click to expand...

Definitely not looking to spend that much. This will mostly be used to test out music to see if it is worth buying on vinyl and then playing some things I like that are not on vinyl. I'm not expecting this to come close to my vinyl setup, but would like something fairly decent otherwise I won't be motivated to use it.
 
Has anyone heard the Audio Note or EAR and can compare that to the Esoteric? I am guessing the Esoteric sounds quite a bit different than the other two?
 
Vortex...assuming you want to stay in the EAR Acute III or Audio Note pricing zip code ($5-8Kish range)? Also, tell us what the rest of your system is like? Finally, what SQ attributes are you most looking for? The EAR and Audio Note are going to be more about tone, texture, perhaps seemingly if not actually a bit rolled off in the top end, spatially holographic and perhaps a bit more laidback presentation. The Esoteric is going to be more neutral, extended on both ends of the frequency band, very resolving of detail, and also very accurate in portraying soundstage and images within it, but with more edge definition around images and perhaps a bit drier or less air around instruments or vocals. This is more a general description of the house sounds of the brands than a specific comparison of the units you list.
 
vortrex said:
Definitely not looking to spend that much. This will mostly be used to test out music to see if it is worth buying on vinyl and then playing some things I like that are not on vinyl. I'm not expecting this to come close to my vinyl setup, but would like something fairly decent otherwise I won't be motivated to use it.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, your stated reason here puts a new bend on things and could save some dough. CD sound quality (in most cases) will be inferior to vinyl. It's all in the recording and mastering. The reverse is true if the source to vinyl is CD or bad digital.
Since your use is to test music you might want on vinyl and to listen to things not available on vinyl, you don't have to spend a bunch of money. You can easily get away with something such as a Marantz CD5005 or 6005 for example. You won't need to spend 4 digits on a CD player. Of course your free to spend and choose how you like, I'm just throwing an extra light on things. I'm not trying to push Marantz, it's just a good and convenient example for what I am saying.
Something like the Marantz example would be plenty decent in my opinion. If the CD player has a well implemented dac and the drive is well built, your good to go. (Most drives in CD players from the $300 level on up are good, not much to worry about). On the flip side having had a number of $100 to $200 players myself, I can tell you there is plenty to worry about with those.
Yes, it may not seem logical that a $300 player is that much better than a $$100 or $200 player, but that $100 can make a notable difference if you choose wisely. At least that's been my experience. Yours will be different. Example, some makes (like the Marantz) trickle down parts and build designs from their reference line into the line below. That adds good value for dollar.

In my opinion, a CD is going to sound like a CD, no amount of gear or money will change that. If the CD is mastered well and recorded with CD in mind it will sound pretty darn good on almost any player in the $300 and up range. If it is not done well, it will sound like a turd and you can't polish a turd. In other words, it will sound the same on a $300 or $400 player as it will a $3000 player.

Just my thoughts, worth about 2 cents on a good day.
 
Eric, great post. I have had 3 Marantz cd players in the past, the last being the KI Series CD17, now that was an awesome player.
 
If I was buying a CD player, it would be the EAR. It simply has a different sound than any other digital component I've ever heard.

Just beautiful to hear.
 
Mechnutt said:
I would give a listen to the Parasound Halo CD-1, it has gotten good reviews

Model Halo CD 1 « Parasound

Here us a Stereophile review saying it sounds like the Bricasti M1 DAC-

Parasound Halo CD 1 CD player Measurements | Stereophile.com
Click to expand...

Another good suggestion Mechnutt! Parasound makes great product for good price. I don't know the provenance of their products, but I've never read a complaint or heard anything bad. I have their cooling fan they used to sell, solid built unit and does more than a good job.
I'm keeping them in mind for a thing or two in future myself.
 
Man, I'd love to get my ears on , erm.. the EAR. For three years in a row, my disc spinner of choice has been the AMR CD-777. I can't help but wonder how these two would compare to one another!
 
My dealer is selling a used EAR unit. I have not asked him to hook it up so I could audition but it is nice looking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top