What CD Player(s) Sound best with B&W?

[SRT-10 Viper]

I have B&W 800Ds, in front, 802N rear and HTM2D center. I currently have a Denon 5910 CD player and have recently purchased a Philips Blue Ray drive. I believe the video with DVDs on the Philips is close to the Denon and of course Blue Ray discs are much better. So now I am considering replacing the Denon with a CD (and maybe SACD) only player to get the best sound. I'm looking at the Meridian 808 (Ref CD only) or the Esoteric X-01 Limited (CD/SACD). Anyone have experience with these? What other Players should I consider?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

PS: Also just bought a Transporter and have all my CDs ripped with FLAC. Great system, yet I still think my Denon has a slight edge in sound. I will keep the ransporter for it's advantage (great sound, All CDs easy to access at any time) and go with a high end player for critical listening.

[sikoniko]

I have been thinking of building a media pc for convenience sake... Im trying to hold out until the dual HD/BD drives come out thout...

anyways, to the original question... understand you are opening a can of worms here...

This CDP claims to be the cats meow if you can use 240V or have a way to convert it.

I just got an incredible deal on a classe CDP-100 and love it. I a/b'd it against the ayre cx7e and the classe piece blew it out of the water. I have not heard it, but if you are looking for reference level, I am sure the CDP-202 is amazing, plus it offers DVD-A that you can preview on the touchscreen w/o having to turn your monitor on.

so that is my opinion...

[Jesse111]

I have 800D's and am exclusively two channel. The best CD player I've ever heard and now own is the McIntosh MCD/MDA 1000 combo. It is simply astounding.

[akhter]

I have B&W 800Ds, in front, 802N rear and HTM2D center. I currently have a Denon 5910 CD player and have recently purchased a Philips Blue Ray drive. I believe the video with DVDs on the Philips is close to the Denon and of course Blue Ray discs are much better. So now I am considering replacing the Denon with a CD (and maybe SACD) only player to get the best sound. I'm looking at the Meridian 808 (Ref CD only) or the Esoteric X-01 Limited (CD/SACD). Anyone have experience with these? What other Players should I consider?

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

PS: Also just bought a Transporter and have all my CDs ripped with FLAC. Great system, yet I still think my Denon has a slight edge in sound. I will keep the ransporter for it's advantage (great sound, All CDs easy to access at any time) and go with a high end player for critical listening.

I like the Linn (Igemaki/Unidisk) and Arcam (CD36) cd players. I have heard the lower priced Naim ones which are also really good.

[Shyamalan]

What do you think about this http://www.pioneer.es/es/products/42...-S/index.html?

Thank you in advance for your oppinion

[Angioguy]

Sacd

I recently picked up a Musical Fidelity Tri Vista SACD player. CD and SACD sound incredible with my McIntosh MC-402 and the 802D's! :T

[Eliav]

I am using the Classe cdp202 with the 802d. I found it amazing.

Eliav

[colinwong]

I'm using musical fidelity A5 with my 802Ds. Good match.

Colin.

[chuck1801]

The Ayre C-5xe is the best I've heard. I'm using it with my 802Ds. I use a Denon 5910ci for video and multichannel but the Ayre is so good, I tend to listen to mostly 2 channel. I have quite a few of the Living Stereo hybrid SACDs in 3 channel which presents a quandary. The 3 channel version sounds impressive, seamless but the 2 channel through the Ayre sounds clearer and more dynamic -- seems to get the most from the speakers. Now if Charlie Hanson made a 3 channel version then I wouldn't have this problem, only the problem of how to buy it.

[jayhawk75]

what did you compare ayre to before purchase?

[sikoniko]

I liked the ayre fine until I compared it to classe. I preferred the classe. so did the ayre dealer I brought the classe cdp to to a/b against each other.

[KRC]

I went from a $150.00 Sony CD player to a Rotel 1040 DVD player as my main source. The differences were night and day, no "Golden ear" required, it was like my whole system was upgraded. So it comes down to, is the base question a fantasy question of who can spend the most money or what player sounds great on your individual system?

[Pieter Stolk]

Audio Research CD3 MKII

I 've heard a B&W 803D with Audio Research CD3 MKII and its sound was wonderfull, the best cd-player I have heard.

[jericho]

I have 800D's and am exclusively two channel. The best CD player I've ever heard and now own is the McIntosh MCD/MDA 1000 combo. It is simply astounding.

I must agree with Jesse, I also own 800D's and 802D's, McIntosh amps and a McIntosh MVP_861 player.My friend has the MCD/MDA 1000 combo and I had the occassion to try that combo on my set :E :E :E :E :E
I've never heard something playing better, it's just ;x( ;x( ;x(
This is going to be my next buy

[Pieter Stolk]

Price in Europe: EUR 33.000 = USD 40.000 :E

[jericho]

Price in Europe: EUR 33.000 = USD 40.000 :E

23000€ will be enough in Europe!!!! 12000+11000 = 23000€

[Pieter Stolk]

You're right, Jericho. The total price will be EUR 23.000.-- = USD 30.000.-- That's still an insane amount of money...!

[jericho]

You're right, Jericho. The total price will be EUR 23.000.-- = USD 30.000.-- That's still an insane amount of money...!

Believe me Pieter, the MDA is worth every cent

[Pieter Stolk]

Yes, I believe you but unfortunately I don't have that money

Have you heard the Audio Research CD3MKII or CD7 Ref red book cd-players? They also sound wonderfull...!

[chuck1801]

I compared the Ayre to Musical Fidelity, Classe CDP102, Meridian G08, Sony XA-777ES, Krell SACD Standard, Wadia 302?, Wadia SE, Arcam FMJ and others since. To me, the Ayre was the best sounding and the only one that played all formats, i.e it will play my Talking Heads DVD-A Brick and my Living Stereo SACDs in hi-rez, as well as being an awesome RBCD player. Also, although not cheap at $6K, the Ayre was within reach.

[chinets]

I have the LINN majestic, and I think it is awsome, and not too expensive ,but I am dying to hear the MCD/MDA 1000 combo that was discussed above!
Cheers

[Briz vegas]

MCD/MDA 1000 combo - In Australia it is about the same price as a new Ford Focus (base model) on the road.

How does it compare to the new Naim 555. I reckon the naim looks better so if they are of the same reference quality I would go with the naim, only I think the Naim is 50% more expensive.

Back in the real world I will keep saving for a flatcap or hicap 5x. I found it added great enthusiasm and a nice fun factor to my system when I borrowed one recently.

[Briz vegas]

ooops not MCD 205 but MCD1000 - lets swap the base Ford Focus for the bells and whistles model. Regardless the Naim 555 would be my "wish list" preference.

After all it glows green which I think I prefer to blue :-)