CD Oracle & Audio Research

I currently have an Audio Research CDT-1 and DAC 3 MK II and looking to upgrade. Has anyone had listening experience with the Oracle CD turntable or the Audio Research CD3?

Any other player suggestions? Thanks for your input.

Rick

 

The Carys are said to be excellent.

Can you dispel the rumor that ARC might be closing its doors?

 

If budget isn't really an issue there's the new Classe' SACD player that sounds like a little piece of heaven.

Prayin' for lotto, prayin' for lotto...

 

I heard the Audio Research CD3 at the Stereophile Show in June. Although not an ideal listening environment, it sounded very good. Since that time, I have read many extremely positive personal accounts on the CD3. It's a little out of my price range but it's a firts class cd player with a very rugged transport.

On a different note, I have not heard anything about ARC going under. I hope it's just an ugly rumor as they are an incredible audio company that has put out some really fantastic equipment over for many years. Their new line of value price amps and preamps are really quite good (I heard them at my local dealer) and should sell well.

 

Thanks for the input.
I have not heard anything about ARC going out of business either. I know their new hybrid electronics are receiving good reviews but not great as usual, ie VT100 MK II vs MK III. I don't think they are selling as many units in the hybrids, and home theater is so much stronger than 2 channel. Their lower priced units I think are doing well and I'm sure their overseas market is strong. They are one of the best high end companies around, I'm sure they will be here for a long time.

Rick

 

The cd3 is a great player I've owned it forabout 6 months and it keeps getting better and better with more playing time.You'll hear that comment from most owners,it takes about 3-500 hrs. of burn in. I just wonder why so little attention is being paid to this very musically,analog sounding player on other forums,including this one?

 

What system did you hear this in Dave? Were you able to compare the Classe with a more common (i.e. cheaper) SACD player in the same system; and if so, what conclusions could you draw as to the contribution this very expensive player was making to the overall sound?

I haven't been able to see this particular unit yet in the Bay Area.

Regards,
Geoff

 

Metralla,

I can't really comment too much as I heard it at a Classe' dealership (at Claus's recommendation) and compared to the Sony's I heard along with it....It just blew the Sony's out of the water. Although they didn't have the SCD-1 or the 777ES just the 555ES, plus it wasn't on my own system. Final conclusion....the Classe' sounds a lot more like analog warmth than the Sony's.

Claus heard it on his own system and maybe able to give some more insight.

 

I drew the same conclusion with my ARC cd3 vs. the Philips sacd,in my dealers room the cd3 was warmer than the sacd. We a/b'd 1 disc "Chet",so the results will vary with different dics's I'm sure but it just goes to show that it's never a slam dunk with any format,it's more software dependant.