Best single box cd player - any recommendations

[Emre Üçöz]

I am on the verge of a decision wheter I should continue with transport+dac+clock or to switch to a one box cd player. Can I get your opinions on this.

My current digital configuration is Esoteric P-02+DCS Scarllati DAC+DCS Scarllati Clock.

Any comments on Burmester069, Soulution 5 and 7 series cd players, Metronome Kalista or any other digital single boxes vs separetes of Esoteric or DCS or MSB or EMM Labs?

 

[microstrip]

You already have an excellent DAC, I think only experimentation will allow any improvements.

The best digital system I have listened to was the Kalista with the C2A Signature DAC - but it was not with Soulution gear and it is not a single box CD player!

Sometimes synergy between pieces of equipment of the same manufacturer can make miracles - I would not miss the possibility of listening to the Soulution CD players. I have an ARC preamplifier and could not find a CD costing less than usd 20000 that could surpass the CD8 in my system.

 

[JackD201]

I went from an Emmlabs CDSD - DCC2 combo to an Eera Tentation for redbook. The Emms are still around for SACD but I don't play CDs on it anymore.

 

[Emre Üçöz]

I will also try out the soulution cd players as well. but Kalista integrated is also sound intresting.

 

[Emre Üçöz]

I went from an Emmlabs CDSD - DCC2 combo to an Eera Tentation for redbook. The Emms are still around for SACD but I don't play CDs on it anymore.

which format do you play more? is format a choice for choosing the best?

 

[Steve Williams]

I switched fromm EMM Labs to Playback Designs MPS-5. Never regretted my decision

 

[JackD201]

I play CDs more only because I have more of them than I do SACDs. Most of the time I listen to LPs.

 

[LL21]

Only heard the Metronome Kalista and Kalista REference. Phenomenally natural, effortless...actually quite shocking when the music flows so easily, my ears were not expecting it. My advice? If you do go with Metronome...try to buy the 4cm thick clear laminate base they use for the Reference...its worth it. The sound spectrum was a little uneven when i heard it without...and it turns out its sensitivity to surface evenness is like a turntable (or worse)...but with the clear thick acrylic base...it was incredibly smooth, effortless and even.

 

[microstrip]

I will also try out the soulution cd players as well. but Kalista integrated is also sound intresting.

I hosted the Kalista integrated for one week - it was more detailed than my CD8, and had better low bass. But my enthusiasm over it was not too great. However when I listened to the whole system with the separate DAC I found it in a completely different league.

 

[MylesBAstor]

I'd also check out the new Playback Designs single unit. Think there's a post somewhere here that Jonathan Tinn posted about its debut at the Newport Show?

 

[fas42]

If you do go with Metronome...try to buy the 4cm thick clear laminate base they use for the Reference...its worth it. The sound spectrum was a little uneven when i heard it without...and it turns out its sensitivity to surface evenness is like a turntable (or worse)...but with the clear thick acrylic base...it was incredibly smooth, effortless and even.

And that's how fussy you have to be with digital -- it's worse than vinyl ...!!!

Frank

 

[Steve Williams]

Actually, the one he'd want is the MP-S5 unless it is not necessary to have SACD features.

The new unit is a series 3 DAC, although as I understand it there will be (or maybe already is an MPS-3)a 3 series with transport but unlike the MPS-5 it plays only redbook and not SACD
This is a link to the newly released version

http://www.playbackdesigns.com/mpd3.html

 

[dan31]

I was very impressed with the latest Spectral CD players. Expensive but the best I have heard for CD playback.

 

[Steve Williams]

I was very impressed with the latest Spectral CD players. Expensive but the best I have heard for CD playback.

I would also second that.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Actually, the one he'd want is the MP-S5 unless it is not necessary to have SACD features.

The new unit is a series 3 DAC, although as I understand it there will be (or maybe already is an MPS-3)a 3 series with transport but unlike the MPS-5 it plays only redbook and not SACD
This is a link to the newly released version

http://www.playbackdesigns.com/mpd3.html

This is the one I'm thinking of Steve:

http://www.playbackdesigns.com/mps3.html

 

[Steve Williams]

Exactly. The MPS-3. The one Jonathan had at the show was the MPD-3

 

[MylesBAstor]

Exactly. The MPS-3. The one Jonathan had at the show was the MPD-3

So let me ask you You use the PD in your system but sound like you really like the new Spectral better. The PD was the best digital, esp. in the recreation of dimensionality and harmonics and the closest to the tape in comparison, that I've heard. If I had to plunk down money for digital playback, it would be the PD Does the Spectral have different strengths or do you feel is overall better?

 

[Steve Williams]

I don't like the Spectral better having lived with the PDS-5 for a few years now. Having said that the Spectral costs $5K more and only plays Redbook. Played in an all Spectral system it was very engaging. I like the PD MS-5 so much that I will be buying new outboard USB box for upsampling to 384 Khz Redbook and 6.1 Mhz DSD

 

[MylesBAstor]

I don't like the Spectral better having lived with the PDS-5 for a few years now. Having said that the Spectral costs $5K more and only plays Redbook. Played in an all Spectral system it was very engaging. I like the PD MS-5 so much that I will be buying new outboard USB box for upsampling to 384 Khz Redbook and 6.1 Mhz DSD

Gr8! Thanks for you insights Steve! From what I heard with Bruce's high rez files, ought to be a real treat!

 

[Emre Üçöz]

my only worry is that metronome is still using an old drive mechanism whereas esoteric ones are quite solid and becoming an industry wide standard