The most neutral, natural sounding CD player out there?

Well, I decided to wait a while before going SACD as my SCD-1 experience was disastrous (way too sharp and bright to my ears, well there was some problem with it, but it put me off SACD mood) and anyway I don't really need most of the SACDs released so far. On the other hand my 3500 CDs need a perfect player so I decided to get one (around $3000). My old cheap Kenwood is hardly a great machine but it has a strong point: it's lacks any colouring and it's pretty neutral. It's obvious that any good Hi End player will slay it with soundstage, detail etc. but I'm VERY afraid of sharpness, brightness and some artificial colouring of the sound. So the question is: can you guys recommend a GREAT, absolutely neutral and natural sounding CD player below $3000?

 

antonkk,

I really love my Linn Classik set up with Katan speakers, which is probably in your price bracket. It sounds nice and natural - you hear your music presented as it is IMHO.

Linn is not to everyones tastes, but I'd really recommend an audition if that is possible.

 

If you also have older CDs that were made in Japan; be suspicious to and beware of some of the new upsampling players. Even in the multimegapriced category (Linn!), there are models that cannot decode the emphasis properly (which I think is kind inacceptable for a player that costs a few thousand bucks)! Listening to those records without de-emphasis is what I would call sharp and bright...

 

Yes, I have lots of old japanese stuff and treasure them a lot. So I guess that would be a problem or me.
But how can I tell the "upsampling" player from the right one?

 

Upsampling doesn't have to be bad (even if I think integer 8x oversampling seems to be a better concept imho). Maybe you should take a closer look at graphs in test reports from hi-fi magazines...

 

I had a Denon 6-CD changer that I surrendered to a friend of my girlfriend's. It was a spare, as it was given to me, but I miss it because it was such a strong player... Very natural.

 

Upsampling and de-emphasis are two completely different things. An upsampling player should be able to recognize and apply proper de-emphasis just as well as a oversampling player. If there is a problem with de-emphasis in an upsampling player, it has nothing to do with the upsampling feature.

 

I do not say that this problem has to do with upsampling, or does it? It seems that quite a few of the new upsampling players are affected, so one could get the idea that upsampling and de-emphasis may interact with each other in a way. Remember this forum's statements about CBS half-speed vinyl mastering and its horrible outcome? What happens frequency-wise if an emphasized digital signal is accelerated? Food for thought, maybe...
Another possible explanation: brave new globalized world - cheap engineering even at high end companies? Whatever the reason for this issue is: it is not acceptable - not with a player for 49 $; definitely not with a player for 3000 $.

 

antonkk, I'm not really sure why your SCD-1 sounded so horrible, but I know that Steve swears the SACD-777 by Sony is "razor flat".

 

I have a Studer D730 which not only sounds good, it has lots of technical toys to play with and looks cool also. It's also built like a tank.

 

Anton mentions that there was something wrong with his SCD-1. Maybe that's why it didn't sound good. I've had a few opportunities to hear the SCD-1 and it does sound extremely fine.

 

Linn and Accuphase are the most neutral players what I've heard.

 

Another vote for Linn. I have the Linn Ikemi (around $3000). It is very natural sounding and the least "digital" sounding most analog CD player I've ever heard. When you listen to it you realize that these are the same people who make such classic turntables - they do know how to make things sound natural. When I auditioned it three years ago I was really looking to get the SCD-1. There just was no comparison - and I tried every filter on the Sony for lots of different types of music. The Linn was flat out better.

 

The SCD-1 goes through a period of break in where it sounds terrible with anything you throw at it. Also, it's filters 2 and 3 are not to my liking. If you demo'ed it within 40-200 hours of its life or with a displeasing filter setting, you may want to give it another shot. It's pretty much the best thing out there for the money. I also briefly had my unit modded not with Vishays but with another brand (whose name escapes me), and it sounded euphonic beyond belief. CDs that previously sounded harsh and digital sounded analog and smooth with that mod. It was not as fast and revealing as the stock SCD-1, but had a warm, pleasant quality. Unfortunately, I like a more revealing, forward sound that shows all the warts, so back to the mod'er the SCD-1 went. Other mods beyond caps/resistor upgrades greatly improve CD performance, e.g., the superclock 2.

These are definitely worth checking out and raise the bar not just on the CD performance but also the SACD performance.

 

Agree totally, Kayaker! Linn do seem to put the emphasis on nice natural analog sounding players, amazing for solid state kit. However, I do really like Sony - particularly for SACD. I have a Sony SACD/DVD ns900v combo running through the Linn Classik pre-amp and it sounds just great. The Katan speakers are hooked up with Linn K400 bi-wired cable and it sounds so real IMHO...oh, and no, I don't work for Linn!

 

the Linn Ikemi is still wonderful

the new Meridian Range G08 beats ANY sacd player I have heard, except the Unidisk.


go and dem these and I'm sure one will fit the bill

I'd personally avoid MF - reliability and they'll bring out a newer., better , cheaper model.

tim

 

Go with any player that uses the Ring DAC, such as some of the Arcams. You can get most of the performance of the DCS gear for about one-tenth of the cost if you go that way. I also think the Naim CD5 is an extraordinary player for $2250.

 

Thanx for all the replies! I seem to be pariticulary intriqued by Linn Ikemi. People praise it all over the web but mentioning often that it's great for solid state. Does it mean it wouud be TOO mellow with tubes?

 

I use my Ikemi with a Croft Pre amp and Quad II's - and it sounds fantastic -

tim

 

I have a Rega Planet 2000. I great player that makes harsh cds sound warmer and more musical. If you're into 80's new wave and punk it's a great pleasure to get rid of the harshness and have your cds sound more musical. At $900, it's quite the bargain IMHO.

 

Krell makes a great CD player that has dropped a LOT in price the last few years, from around $3000 down to $1499.
I heard it head on against the redbook side of a Sony 777 cd/sacd and it convinced to pass on the Sony. The Krell blew it away, big time. The Sony sounded veiled and mushy by comparison. Neutral? Dont know.
If I were in the market for a redbook player this would be the one. Pat.

 

I agree with Dave. There must have been something going on. I use the very similar SCD-777ES and it is simply one of the classic audio gear items and very flat on my recordings.

There is a nice alternative for you...buy the SCD-1 as a transport and then spend $1K on a Benchmark DAC. It sounds better than many high end players.

I also like the Musical Fidelity player, the Levinson 390s, and the new Rega players.

How would you know? The G Series is a DVDA playback device so comparisons would not be possible on hirez on an apples-to-apples basis.

 

Well, I auditioned Linn Ikemi in my system today. Sure it impressed me with detail, treble and bass, but for my taste it was too sweet (honey colouring if you know what I mean) and laid back. It lacked this dynamic rhythm that really makes all the enjoyment. Maybe because my tube amp and Vandersteen speakers are "intelligent" and laid back. Maybe now I understand that I need something faster, something more rhythmic? Maybe this 'english" or should I say "scotch" sound is not right for my system? Any suggestions?

 

Anton,

I think part of the problem is that Linn products generally do need quite a bit of run in time to really sing. Mine is just spot on now but it took about 3-6 months to get there. You're quite right to shop around and keep listening. Trust your ears and you'll find your perfect system.