Best CD player

[Ronny Schilt 11]

McIntosh mcd600 verses rega Isis,  which one for a redbook CD user exclusively, no hi res,no computer,  no tidal or any streaming.  Thank you I want your opinions / advice on this

 

[Ian McP 5,552]

A way cheaper option perhaps?

 

Jay's Audio cd player, Redbook only

or cd transport and spend some cash on a DAC?

https://dacmanaudio.com.au/jays-audio/

https://www.jays-audio.com/

https://www.jays-audio.com/reviews

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/jaysaudio/1.html

 

regards Ian

 

[PG2019 13]

Perhaps the Bryston BCD-3 Cd player

[Ian McP 5,552]

 

[agentorange2 719]

1 hour ago, Ronny Schilt said:

McIntosh mcd600 verses rega Isis,  which one for a redbook CD user exclusively, no hi res,no computer,  no tidal or any streaming.  Thank you I want your opinions / advice on this

 

If it was my choice I'd go with the Rega , I have a mate with one paired with a couple of PMC speakers and seems to work quite well.

[Luc 10,239]

Rega Isis hands down. Top loader will knock over a mechanical front loading drive anyday, one less noise in the food chain. Owned three top loaders and two were Rega's, depending on budget one of the Ayon top loaders as well, but Rega are very very good at what they do when it comes to cd players. @rantan might take it a bit further.

[Irek 588]

Currently I don't see why to spend so much on a CDP. The reason is that DACs are getting better almost every year. 

If you like Rega I would go with Rega Saturn R + external DAC and use both analogue directly to amplifier and digital to DAC -  to enjoy 2 different sound signature. 

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Thanks guys, I'm kinda stuck with the dealer so McIntosh or rega or keep the marantz sa10 s1 flagship

[extract 111]

 

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Has anyone heard of the marantz sa10 using it's dac connected to a mac? If I keep the sa10 I have to learn how to download hi res music and stream etc OMG 😨

[maximus 357]

@Ronny Schilt  The Marantz SA10 is a fairly serious player, I'm sure its Transport/Dac component is of high quality, and I don't believe you'll hear greater sonic differences using a Mac as a transport. 

If you want to stick to a one box solution of higher quality, E G ; head down to Krispy Audio or Absolute Hi fi and listen to offerings from Esoteric and Accuphase,  just to see what else is about.

[petetherock 1,292]

I'm personally waiting for the Model 30N SACD streamer... that one is very interesting, especially if they price it right.. 

[stereo coffee 392]

If the topic could instead ask, "Best sounding CD player"   Features are no doubt important, but sound quality more so I think. 

 

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Thanks maximus but I was only going to use the mac to store music files, the sa10 would be the transport and USB  dac

[Ronny Schilt 11]

4 minutes ago, stereo coffee said:

If the topic could instead ask, "Best sounding CD player"   Features are no doubt important, but sound quality more so I think. 

 

I am stuck with a mutant from a dealer who is giving the opportunity to trade up and just pay the difference but their is I just the rega Isis and Mcintosh mcd600 to choose from that is why the topic is not bear's player.  If I had the money I would post such a topic as I saw some hi end gryphon players second hand at audio connection

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Sorry for my typos I meant marantz not mutant😂😂😂

[rantan 10,019]

2 hours ago, extract said:

 

Agree with this suggestion, although it is local pick up only.

 

McIntosh make great amplifiers and I would love to own one but IMO, their other component offerings don't quite reach the same (very high ) standard.

[stereo coffee 392]

7 minutes ago, Ronny Schilt said:

I am stuck with a marantz from a dealer who is giving the opportunity to trade up and just pay the difference but their is I just the rega Isis and Mcintosh mcd600 to choose from that is why the topic is not bear's player.  If I had the money I would post such a topic as I saw some hi end gryphon players second hand at audio connection

Money is not necessarily related, for instance we are in a era where CD integrated circuits to a large degree dictate what is heard.  many choices we used to have and really enjoy, sadly are no longer there, and features of use rather than sound quality gather attention.  We have sadly passed the baton of sound quality to those  who may, or may not not necessarily concern themselves with sound quality. 

 

Rather if we step back in time when the multi bit players were ( and still are ) the best sounding, we then approach a CD player purchase differently. the era of multi bit players saw specialist analog output stages, it saw attention to oversampling, and how digital to analog conversion occurred.  each area received individual attention, much to the delight of audiophiles. 

 

Indeed some modern players have adapted well from the golden era , but others less so. Widening your choices can only be of benefit, to what you then hear.

 

 

   

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Awesome information thank you stereo coffee. What you say is quite relevant. Some of the older dacs like the crystal ones like in my Cambridge audio 900 se and the one I had in my akai reference player (yes akai) just seemed to do a better job than the new sabre dacs as an example  I don't why they just did 

[Winter 368]

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Great picture 

[MattyW 2,208]

19 hours ago, Irek said:

Currently I don't see why to spend so much on a CDP. The reason is that DACs are getting better almost every year. 

If you like Rega I would go with Rega Saturn R + external DAC and use both analogue directly to amplifier and digital to DAC -  to enjoy 2 different sound signature. 

I'm in complete agreement there. I simply find a quality Blu-ray player and run that into the best DAC I can afford. The Denon DN-500BD Mk2 was one of the better priced rack mount capable players I could find to double for movies and CD transport for a DAC. Really if looking for something small an Olasonic Nano-CD1B would be fantastic if a touch on the expensive side for what it is. I have weirdly gone down the path of non oversamping DAC's based around old Phillips multibit chips like the TDA1540D and TDA1541. Sounds fantastic though done right 

Edited September 18, 2020 by MattyW

[Irek 588]

5 hours ago, Ronny Schilt said:

I am stuck with a Marantz SA10

It sounds a little bit like I am stuck with highest model of BMW. 

[Ronny Schilt 11]

When I say stuck I mean I can only change thru the same dealer unless I sell the marantz sa10 I only bought 6 weeks ago a and the only exchange options I can afford is the mcd600 or the rega Isis.  If you are only spinning cds got can uses transport and say a denafrips terminator which is worth it if you have a computer and hi music. I heard my cds through a chord dave $18000  I preferred the cds through a mf nuvista CD player

[Irek 588]

16 hours ago, Ronny Schilt said:

When I say stuck I mean I can only change thru the same dealer unless I sell the marantz sa10 I only bought 6 weeks ago a and the only exchange options I can afford is the mcd600 or the rega Isis.  If you are only spinning cds got can uses transport and say a denafrips terminator which is worth it if you have a computer and hi music. I heard my cds through a chord dave $18000  I preferred the cds through a mf nuvista CD player

All above mentioned CDPs and DACs are on the level of excellent. Only your personal taste can tell you which one is the best .   

Edited September 18, 2020 by Irek

[Aperalim 721]

23 hours ago, Ronny Schilt said:

Thanks guys, I'm kinda stuck with the dealer so McIntosh or rega or keep the marantz sa10 s1 flagship

Are you able to take your Marantz to dealer to compare side by side with the other two options?

[Ronny Schilt 11]

Hi Aperalim I left my marantz at the dealer with my oppo 105d as I was troubleshooting distortion which turned out to be the resolution of the sa10 not liking some recordings so I compared to the mcd600 from McIntosh and couldn't tell much difference. I know the McIntosh has an R core transformer and the ess Sabre 28 pro but that really doesn't mean much when spinning normal red book cds.  I have asked if they can get the rega Isis so I can compare that to the McIntosh. If they can't I might have to take a leap of faith. 

[Aperalim 721]

22 hours ago, Ronny Schilt said:

Hi Aperalim I left my marantz at the dealer with my oppo 105d as I was troubleshooting distortion which turned out to be the resolution of the sa10 not liking some recordings so I compared to the mcd600 from McIntosh and couldn't tell much difference. I know the McIntosh has an R core transformer and the ess Sabre 28 pro but that really doesn't mean much when spinning normal red book cds.  I have asked if they can get the rega Isis so I can compare that to the McIntosh. If they can't I might have to take a leap of faith. 

I am intrigued how audible distortion could be attributed to "the resolution of the sa10 not liking some recordings"?

Do you recall what those recordings were?

 

I have sometimes  taken leaps of faith like with my last CD player – Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD : )

 

 

 

[proftournesol 8,457]

I'd be keeping the Marantz and looking to upgrade with a good external DAC. You can also use that with your streaming option

[Demondes 682]

23 hours ago, Aperalim said:

I am intrigued how audible distortion could be attributed to "the resolution of the sa10 not liking some recordings"?

Do you recall what those recordings were?

 

I have sometimes  taken leaps of faith like with my last CD player – Esoteric Grandioso K1 SACD : )

 

 

 

My guess is that the CD’s could be poor recordings?

 

@Ronny Schiltcare to name the CDs that didn’t sound great or had an issue with sound on the marantz?

 

 

[Godot 245]

Can your try them with your intended amp and speakers? I think a good dealer should be happy to arrange that, you are talking about big $ whatever you do. It really should have been an option with your Marantz if it is only 6 weeks old. (ie; a trial, not needing to now trade it). I have a Denon DCD 2500 NE, it sounded better to me than the McIntosh players I compared it to. Your Marantz should be a better player again.  My Denon doesn’t magically make bad recordings sound great, but most CD and sacds played with it sound great to me. Enjoy the search!