Disc Players Archives - The Absolute Sound https://www.theabsolutesound.com/category/awards/best-digital-sources/best-disc-players/ High-performance Audio and Music Reviews Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:31:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 2025 Disc Player of the Year: Luxman D-07X https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2025-disc-player-of-the-year-luxman-d-07x/ Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:31:56 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=59843 $9,999 Luxman’s newest universal-disc player derives from the company’s flagship […]

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$9,999

Luxman’s newest universal-disc player derives from the company’s flagship D-10X, which we favorably reviewed in Issue 317. The D-07X series bridges the gap between the D-03X at $4195 and the D-10X at $16,995. Priced closer to the 03X at $9995 but in features, performance, and overall design and engineering much closer to the 10X, think of 07X as a scaled-down 10X instead of a hot-rodded 03X. First, the onboard DAC is the BD34301EKV from ROHM Semiconductor, premiered in the 10X and retained here, still in dual-mono configuration with full soup-to-nuts MQA rendering and decoding. Second, the 07X’s transport is the same proprietary Lx DTM-I, with its superior disc-reading mechanism. And third, connectivity and useable formats remain unchanged. Excepting Blu-ray audio, the 07X will play virtually any audio-only two-channel or hybrid disc on the planet, including MQA CDs. The stated goal of Luxman’s engineers is to create products that are “musical and natural, never strident or aggressive. They want you to be able to hear all sorts of detail, even at the micro level, yet without fatigue, for a rich, musical experience.” Luxman has achieved this, but without sacrificing detail, resolution, or transient speed. Its presentation remains within the overall boundaries of neutrality, just that degree more inviting and easeful, a hint of warmth and smoothness, but applied with a commendably light and fastidious hand. Exceptional build-quality and Luxman’s elegant casework round out this superb player. (352)

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2024 Golden Ear: Kalista DreamPlay XC Streamer/Disc Player/DAC/Digital Preamp https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2024-golden-ear-kalista-dreamplay-xc-streamer-disc-player-dac-digital-preamp/ Sat, 24 May 2025 12:19:17 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=59304 $79,000  The Kalista DreamPlay XC from France is by design […]

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$79,000 

The Kalista DreamPlay XC from France is by design impossible to reduce to a single component category. The DreamPlay isn’t just a DAC or a streamer; it is both, as well as a CD/SACD player and a preamp with Leedh Processing volume control. In Kalista’s words, it is a “universal digital source.” Sitting on its optional, floating, anti-vibration Silent Base, it is also an object of considerable beauty. On physical discs, the DreamPlay’s presentation is so sumptuously rich, full, continuous, and complete that, on first listen, I was momentarily astonished—it sounded that much more like an LP or RTR tape. And it was near-equally analog-like on really good streams. With sonics that are like (and in some respects even a bit better than) those of my reference Soulution 760, it would be hard not to recommend the DreamPlay XC, especially since it also includes state-of-the-art disc playback. If you’ve got the dough for this gorgeous French number, you really should give it a long listen. You may find, as I did, that with CDs or SACDs very little else digital (in a single box) favorably competes or compares. (344)

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Editors’ Choice: Best Disc Players Under $2,000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/editors-choice-best-disc-players-under-2000/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:16:02 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=57532 The post Editors’ Choice: Best Disc Players Under $2,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.

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High-End Audio Buyer’s Guide 2024: McIntosh Labs MCT500 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/high-end-audio-buyers-guide-2024-mcintosh-labs-mct500/ Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:39:53 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=56635 $5500 The MCT500 SACD transport was introduced for audiophiles who […]

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$5500

The MCT500 SACD transport was introduced for audiophiles who already own a McIntosh preamp, integrated amp, or receiver equipped with one of the company’s proprietary DAC modules. It will handle virtually any 4.75-inch disc on the planet, including MQA (though only at Red Book resolution) and, of course, hybrid SACDs. With no built-in DAC, the MCT500 allows direct access to the DSD files on an SACD disc via a proprietary cable that can be connected only to other McIntosh products with the reciprocal MCT jack. It’s thus impossible to speak of its sound because its sound is that of the partnering McIntosh component. As auditioned by PS with the C52 and C53 preamps, its reproduction is as good as he has experienced with any other SACD/CD players or DACs, bettered by none and equaled only by a very few. (315)

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2023 Editors’ Choice: Best Disc Players Under $10,000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2023-editors-choice-best-disc-players-under-10000/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:50:02 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=52481 The post 2023 Editors’ Choice: Best Disc Players Under $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.

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2023 Editors’ Choice: Disc Players $2,000 – $10,000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2023-editors-choice-disc-players-2000-10000/ Fri, 24 Mar 2023 18:25:55 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=51286 Technics SL-G700M2-S $3499 Meticulously constructed with four separate internal compartments […]

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Technics SL-G700M2-S

Technics SL-G700M2-S

$3499

Meticulously constructed with four separate internal compartments to accommodate the power supply, digital and analog circuits, and the die-cast aluminum disc drive, the Technics SL-G700M2-S is designed with an eye towards minimizing both electronic interference and mechanical vibration. The D-to-A circuit features dual-mono architecture with two AK4497 chips outputting “native” DSD up to 11.2MHz and PCM up to 384kHz. Ethernet, wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity are provided; the SL-G700M2-S is also equipped for full MQA decoding. The player excelled at revealing subtle dynamic gradations, correct scaling of instruments, and image specificity and spatiality on good recordings. AQ, 300

Marantz SA-K1 Ruby

Marantz SA-K1 Ruby

$3999

The great audio designer Ken Ishiwata made his reputation with an exceptionally musical-sounding modification of an early Marantz CD player. The SA-KI represents his latest, possibly his last, digital component and is his finest work, offering the best SACD and CD playback from a single unit that TAS’s Paul Seydor has had in-house, and some of the best he’s heard anywhere. Its outstanding onboard DAC can be used with a music server to stream and play downloads in every resolution commonly available, including native DSD up to 11.2MHz. Those in search of the proverbial “last” disc-spinner need look no further. PS, 302

Bryston BCD-3

Bryston BCD-3

$4495

Reviewer Alan Taffel began his review by wondering if a CD player like the BCD-3 was even relevant in today’s digital world. He discovered, to his surprise, that it was. His next discovery was just how good the BCD-3 sounds, and how much of an improvement it represented over even excellent last-generation CD players. Then, the Bryston went toe-to-toe with one of the best CD players available—without embarrassing itself in the least. Lastly, he discovered that the BCD-3’s upgrade path, which consists of turning itself into a transport to work with future or more expensive DACs, really works. Put this together and you really do have what could be your last CD player. “If I were choosing a CD player that wouldn’t break the bank but was unflinching in its musical and sonic generosity,” Alan concluded, “the BCD-3 would be at the top of my list.” AT, 289

McIntosh MCT500

McIntosh MCT500

$5500

The MCT500 SACD transport was introduced for audiophiles who already own a McIntosh preamp, integrated amp, or receiver equipped with one of the company’s proprietary DAC modules. It will handle virtually any 4.75″ disc on the planet and, of course, hybrid SACDs. With no built-in DAC, the MCT500 allows direct access to the DSD files on an SACD disc via a proprietary cable that can be connected only to other McIntosh products with the reciprocal MCT jack. It’s thus impossible to speak of its sound because its sound is that of the partnering McIntosh component. As auditioned by PS with the C52 and C53 preamps, its reproduction was as good as he has experienced with any other SACD/CD players or DACs, bettered by none and equaled only by a very few. PS, 315

T+A MP 200

T+A MP 200

$5900

T+A’s MP 200 is best thought of as a CD transport plus a Roon-compatible streamer. There’s no DAC inside, but the MP 200 does everything to tee up multiple digital sources—including HDD, SDD, and thumb drives—for a downstream DAC. When combined with T+A’s DAC 200, the two act as a single unit. The MP 200 is a superb-sounding streamer, perhaps because it houses the same streaming module as T+A’s top separates. Further, the in-house-built CD transport rivals the best in the world. Add in a gorgeous, petite form factor plus great value, and you’ve got a home run. AT, 335

Mark Levinson No5101

Mark Levinson No5101

$6050

With a disc drive that will play CD and SACD, along with a fully equipped streaming DAC, the Mark Levinson No5101 will handle just about any digital source. The player is compatible with PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as DSD up to 4x. On the technical side, the unit has a 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC with user-selectable digital filters and a proprietary jitter-reduction circuit. The output stage is fully discrete, direct-coupled, and dual monaural, with the signal output on RCA and XLR jacks. You can operate the unit via a traditional handheld remote control or via a custom app, called 5Kontrol. The player has excellent sound quality, particularly in the transition from the upper bass to the lower midrange, which preserves the natural warmth of music without softening it. AHC, 322

Aesthetix Romulus

Aesthetix Romulus

$9000–$10,000

Another home run for Aesthetix, the tubed Romulus combines a disc player and DAC (USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF inputs) in a highly functional and great-sounding component. The additional $1000 from the base price buys you an innovative volume control that allows you to drive a power amplifier directly. The build- and parts-quality are first-rate. Sonically, the Romulus offers an exceptionally natural sound with a great sense of ease and an expansive soundstage. RH, 243

MBL Cadenza C31

MBL Cadenza C31

$9600

In today’s computer-driven marketplace the C31 CD player can just as reasonably be considered a “DAC with transport.” Either way, its performance is uncompromising. With Red Book discs the slot-drive transport gets a slight nod for its more intimate and lush perspective; however, with 24-bit/96kHz material the asynchronous USB wins hands down. A jewel of a player. NG, 228

T+A MP 2000 R MKII

T+A MP 2000 R MKII

$9825

Not just a glorified music computer, T+A’s R-Series MP 2000 R MkII is more accurately a hybrid of CD transport and DAC with potent network/streaming-client capability. Thus, it accommodates most of today’s digital sources, from discs to smart devices, USB thumb drives, outboard storage like a NAS, plus Internet radio and music services such as Tidal. CD and network playback are unerringly superb, with naturalistic timbres and harmonics, midrange bloom, and ripe bass resonance and control. NG, 275

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Editors’ Choice Disc Players $2000-$10000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/editors-choice-disc-players-2000-10000/ Tue, 30 Aug 2022 15:21:14 +0000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/?post_type=articles&p=48293 Technics SL-G700  $2999 Meticulously constructed with four separate internal compartments […]

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Technics SL-G700 

$2999

Meticulously constructed with four separate internal compartments to accommodate the power supply, digital and analog circuits, and the die-cast aluminum disc drive, the Technics SL-G700 is designed with an eye towards minimizing both electronic interference and mechanical vibration. The D-to-A circuit features dual-mono architecture with two AK4497 chips outputting “native” DSD up to 11.2MHz and PCM up to 384kHz. Ethernet, wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity are provided; the SL-G700 is also equipped for full MQA decoding. The player excelled at revealing subtle dynamic gradations, correct scaling of instruments, and image specificity and spatiality on good recordings. 

Moon 260D

$3600 ($2600 for transport only Moon 260DT)

The Moon 260D continues a tradition of fine CD players from Canada’s Simaudio. However, unless you are a CD-only loyalist, you really need to consider the flexibility of adding Moon’s optional high-resolution DAC section to the 260D. With a 32-bit asynchronous converter and four rear-panel digital inputs (dual SPDIF, a TosLink, and a USB), this optional DAC effectively opens a whole new world of digital connectivity. Standard CD playback, though expectedly excellent, pales next to the level of refinement that the DAC brings to the table on high-resolution material—an added complexity of soundstage dimensionality that almost seemed to re-inflate the stage. 

Marantz SA-K1 Ruby 

$3999

The great audio designer Ken Ishiwata made his reputation with an exceptionally musical-sounding modification of an early Marantz CD player. The SA-KI represents his latest, possibly his last, digital component and is his finest work, offering the best SACD and CD playback from a single unit that TAS’s Paul Seydor has had in-house, and some of the best he’s heard anywhere. Its outstanding onboard DAC can be used with a music server to stream and play downloads in every resolution commonly available, including native DSD up to 11.2MHz. Those in search of the proverbial “last” disc-spinner need look no further. 

Bryston BCD-3

$4095

Reviewer Alan Taffel began his review by wondering if a CD player like the BCD-3 was even relevant in today’s digital world. He discovered, to his surprise, that it was. His next discovery was just how good the BCD-3 sounds, and how much of an improvement it represented over even excellent last-generation CD players. Then, the Bryston went toe-to-toe with one of the best CD players available—without embarrassing itself in the least. Lastly, he discovered that the BCD-3’s upgrade path, which consists of turning itself into a transport to work with future or more expensive DACs, really works. Put this together and you really do have what could be your last CD player. “If I were choosing a CD player that wouldn’t break the bank but was unflinching in its musical and sonic generosity,” Alan concluded, “the BCD-3 would be at the top of my list.” 

McIntosh MCT500

$5000

The MCT500 SACD transport was introduced for audiophiles who already own a McIntosh preamp, integrated amp, or receiver equipped with one of the company’s proprietary DAC modules. It will handle virtually any 4.75″ disc on the planet and, of course, hybrid SACDs. With no built-in DAC, the MCT500 allows direct access to the DSD files on an SACD disc via a proprietary cable that can be connected only to other McIntosh products with the reciprocal MCT jack. It’s thus impossible to speak of its sound because its sound is that of the partnering McIntosh component. As auditioned by PS with the C52 and C53 preamps, its reproduction was as good as he has experienced with any other SACD/CD players or DACs, bettered by none and equaled only by a very few. 

Mark Levinson No 5101

$6050

With a disc drive that will play CD and SACD, along with a fully equipped streaming DAC, the Mark Levinson No 5101 will handle just about any digital source. The player is compatible with PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as DSD up to 4x. On the technical side, the unit has a 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC with user-selectable digital filters and a proprietary jitter-reduction circuit. The output stage is fully discrete, direct-coupled, and dual monaural, with the signal output on RCA and XLR jacks. You can operate the unit via a traditional handheld remote control or via a custom app, called 5Kontrol. The player has excellent sound quality, particularly in the transition from the upper bass to the lower midrange, which preserves the natural warmth of music without softening it. 

Aesthetix Romulus

$8000–$9000 

Another home run for Aesthetix, the tubed Romulus combines a disc player and DAC (USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF inputs) in a highly functional and great-sounding component. The additional $1000 from the base price buys you an innovative volume control that allows you to drive a power amplifier directly. The build- and parts-quality are first-rate. Sonically, the Romulus offers an exceptionally natural sound with a great sense of ease and an expansive soundstage. 

T+A MP 2000 R MKII

$9000

Not just a glorified music computer, T+A’s R-Series MP 2000 R MkII is more accurately a hybrid of CD transport and DAC with potent network/streaming-client capability. Thus, it accommodates most of today’s digital sources, from discs to smart devices, USB thumb drives, outboard storage like a NAS, plus Internet radio and music services such as Tidal. CD and network playback are unerringly superb, with naturalistic timbres and harmonics, midrange bloom, and ripe bass resonance and control. 

MBL Cadenza C31

$9600

In today’s computer-driven marketplace the C31 CD player can just as reasonably be considered a “DAC with transport.” Either way, its performance is uncompromising. With Red Book discs the slot-drive transport gets a slight nod for its more intimate and lush perspective; however, with 24-bit/96kHz material the asynchronous USB wins hands down. A jewel of a player. 

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2020 Editors’ Choice: Disc Players Under $2,000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2020-editors-choice-disc-players-under-2000/ https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2020-editors-choice-disc-players-under-2000/#respond Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:40:28 +0000 http://localhost/tas_dev/articles/2020-editors-choice-disc-players-under-2000 NAD C 546BEE $549 This entirely new design sports the […]

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NAD C 546BEE
$549
This entirely new design sports the latest 24-bit Wolfson DAC chips. The disc player’s sound is extremely natural, with rich detail, excellent retrieval of ambient information, deep black backgrounds, and a somewhat crisp overall presentation. 

Rotel CD14 CD
$799
The CD14 CD player doesn’t try to be anything but a CD player. It uses a highly regarded Wolfson DAC chip, which is capable of sampling rates up to 192kHz; of course, as the sampling rate of CDs is 44.1kHz, the DAC’s capability is overkill. The CD14 will also play MP3 files, but you’d need to burn those onto CDs first (there’s no USB input that would allow you to play them off a USB flash drive). Analog output is on unbalanced RCA jacks—there’s no balanced XLR out. The CD14 sounds good, though the bass lacks a little impact. 

Rotel RCD-1572
$999
Long ago Rotel demonstrated that high-end sound need not come at a high-end price. Rotel’s latest stack carries on that tradition, with three components that—aesthetically and functionally—were obviously designed to be deployed in tandem. First in line is the Wolfson DAC-powered RCD-1572 CD player. This slot-loaded player has both single-ended and balanced analog outs. (There are also RS-232C and Rotel Link connections for external control.) A nice touch: The RCD-1572 also has a digital out so it can be used as a transport in the event its owner decides to spring for a more expensive DAC. But even when used as a stock player, the RCD, like its now-famous forebears, makes few sonic compromises. 

Arcam CDS50 
$1200
Unimposing in its dimensions and bulk, the Arcam CDS50 employs a SABRE 9038 Reference chipset for D-to-A conversion—up to 32-bit/192kHz for PCM sources as well as (DoP) DSD. The disc drawer is a slow-loading plastic affair that doesn’t inspire confidence, but the player delivers gutsy electric bass/kick drum sound on well-engineered rock recordings. The soundstage presented is somewhat narrower than with competing (and more expensive) products. Downloading the iOS/Android MusicLife app to a phone or tablet gets one connected to several streaming services and to Internet radio. 

Yamaha CD-S1000 
$1300
Available for a decade and with its list price recently reduced by $500, the CD-S1000 is something of a “senior citizen” among digital source components. There are no streaming or networking capabilities, but if all you need is silver-disc playback, this 33-pound, built-like-a-tank machine does the job very well. The player uses a pair of Burr-Brown PCM 1796 DACs to handle sample rates up to 192kHz and plays SACDs in their “native” DSD format. The disc drawer has a gearless mechanism in a steel/wood chassis and offers exceptionally smooth, quiet operation. There are both coaxial and optical digital outputs, so the CD-S1000 is an excellent candidate to serve as a transport with a high-end DAC. 

QUAD Artera Play+ 
$1995
Past QUAD preamplifiers have included phonostages, balance and tone controls, and high and low filters. The Play discards all these in favor of an orientation that is effectively all digital (despite two pairs of analog inputs for outboard analog sources, such as a phonostage or tuner), beginning with a CD player and a built-in DAC. Sonically, as a linestage, the Play is fractionally on the yang side of the yin/yang continuum, with a presentation detailed, transparent, dynamic—in other words, very much like the QUAD Stereo amp and just as highly recommended. 

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2018 Editors’ Choice Awards: Disc Players $2,000 – $10,000 https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2018-editors-choice-awards-disc-players-2000-10000/ https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2018-editors-choice-awards-disc-players-2000-10000/#respond Wed, 04 Apr 2018 17:50:58 +0000 http://localhost/tas_dev/articles/2018-editors-choice-awards-disc-players-2000-10000 Quad Artera Play $2199 Past Quad preamplifiers have included phonostages, […]

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Quad Artera Play
$2199
Past Quad preamplifiers have included phonostages, balance and tone controls, and high and low filters. The Play discards all these in favor of an orientation that is effectively all digital (despite two pairs of analog inputs for outboard analog sources, such as a phonostage or tuner), beginning with a CD player and a built-in DAC. Sonically, as a linestage, the Play is fractionally on the yang side of the yin/yang continuum, with a presentation detailed, transparent, dynamic—in other words, very much like the Quad Stereo amp and just as highly recommended.


Modwright-Oppo BDP-105
$2495 (with Modwright Truth modifications only)
Modwright offers a superior modification to Oppo’s highly regarded universal player, the BDP-105, replacing the stock analog stage with an incredible tube design and external power supply that elevate the Oppo’s performance dramatically. The build-quality is exemplary, and the sonics exceptional. It is the first digital player JH has had in his listening room that didn’t make him want to immediately return to his analog rig—and that’s because the Modwright sounds so much like analog in many respects, without giving up the bass extension and control, clarity, fine detail resolution, and convenience that can make digital so attractive.


Moon 260D
$3000 ($2000 for transport only Moon 260DT)
The Moon 260D continues a tradition of fine CD players from Canada’s Simaudio. However, unless you are a CD-only loyalist, you really need to consider the flexibility of adding Moon’s optional high-resolution DAC section to the 260D. With a 32-bit asynchronous converter and four rear-panel digital inputs (dual SPDIF, a TosLink, and a USB), this optional DAC effectively opens up a whole new world of digital connectivity. Standard CD playback, though expectedly excellent, pales next to the level of refinement that the DAC brings to the table on high-resolution material—an added complexity of soundstage dimensionality that almost seemed to re-inflate the stage.


Marantz Reference Series SA-11S3
$3999
Marantz products almost always stand out from their competitors for a very musical sound that is notably free from harshness, glare, or abrasiveness. Such is the case with the SA-11S3. The tonal balance is neutral, which means that nothing calls attention to itself up and down the spectrum. It has state-of-the-art control and resolution, yet also an elusive naturalness and musicality that banish all memories of the digital sound of yore. On SACD sources especially, the SA-11S3 is one of the best PS has heard. PS, 233


Hegel Mohican
$5000
The Mohican doesn’t have a digital input, won’t decode other sources, and has no other function than to play CDs. By limiting the Mohican to a single purpose, every aspect of its design can be optimized for CD, with no compromises. The Hegel Mohican CD player allows the listener to gain insights into the music—its various moods, its flow, its thrust—at a level reviewer KM has not encountered in CD playback for less than four times the price. The Mohican has the analog-like ease, tonal density, and rhythmic fluidity that recommend it for the long haul.

Aesthetix Romulus
$7000–$8000
Another home run for Aesthetix, the tubed Romulus combines a disc player and DAC (USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF inputs) in a highly functional and great-sounding component. The additional $1000 from the base price buys you an innovative volume control that allows you to drive a power amplifier directly. The build- and parts-quality are first-rate. Sonically, the Romulus offers an exceptionally natural sound with a great sense of ease and an expansive soundstage.


Ayon Audio CD-3sx
$8100
The Class A vacuum-tube-based CD-3sx has the capability to serve as a CD player, a multi-input PCM/DSD DAC, and an analog input preamplifier, all in one package. Having this much capability enables the CD-3sx to be the featured component in a minimalist arrangement, while in a more elaborate setup the CD-3sx can serve the traditional role of CD-player/DAC. The CD-3sx produces an all-inclusive experience with the music without pushing too much detail that can—at times—distract the listener’s connection to the performance. Covering nearly every digital format (with the exception of the physical SACD), this playback device will nestle down comfortably in nearly any stereo system and perform at a high level.


MBL C31
$9200
In today’s computer-driven marketplace the C31 CD player can just as reasonably be considered a “DAC with transport.” Either way, its performance is uncompromising. With Red Book discs the slot-drive transport gets a slight nod for its more intimate and lush perspective; however, with 24-bit/96kHz material the asynchronous USB wins hands down. A jewel of a player.


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2017 Golden Ear Awards: Anthony H. Cordesman https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2017-golden-ear-awards-anthony-h-cordesman/ https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2017-golden-ear-awards-anthony-h-cordesman/#respond Thu, 14 Sep 2017 17:43:05 +0000 http://localhost/tas_dev/articles/2017-golden-ear-awards-anthony-h-cordesman Paradigm Persona 9H loudspeaker $35,000 Along with Legacy, Paradigm is […]

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Paradigm Persona 9H loudspeaker
$35,000
Along with Legacy, Paradigm is one of the two manufacturers I’ve found that can really do room compensation well. Its Persona 9H is truly flat, goes very deep, and is still quick and detailed in the bass. Its low end is matched by a superb new beryllium midrange and tweeter with a great deal of life and resolution but no hardness. With excellent driver integration and something much closer to a point-source presentation than most complex speaker systems, the 9H provides some of the best imaging and soundstage performance around. Although it is pricey at $35k, the Persona 9H really delivers sonically, and its size and weight are far more practical than is usually the case with many contenders for the state of the art.

GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference loudspeaker
$8500
GoldenEar’s Triton Reference may not be the equal of every speaker six times its price, but it is still an extraordinary value for the money at $8500 a pair—especially for a speaker that seems comparatively small and exceptionally well styled at its level of performance. What really counts, however, is that its built-in subwoofer does plumb the lower depths with outstanding realism and detail, and the combination of an advanced crossover with a new ribbon tweeter and upper-bass/midrange drivers in an improved layout ensures equally good performance over the rest of the spectrum. This is a very smooth and musical speaker that is remarkably “listening fatigue”-free without any loss of detail or high frequencies; proper setup will ensure an equally good soundstage. A real buy for the money and well worth the added cost above the Triton One, which is no slouch in its own right.

Pass Labs XP-20 preamplifier and XP-25 phonostage
EMM Labs Meitner XDS1 V2 CD/SACD player

$8600 (XP-20), $10,600 (XP-25), $25,000 (XDS1 V2)
These are all classics that show the enduring value of really great products. They have stayed in my reference system for years and provide continuity for my reviews without any sacrifice in sound quality (although I do trade new components in and out). The Pass Labs preamplifier and phonostage have ranked at the top of the high end for years. The Meitner XDS1 has shown me that digital does not have to age in dog years. Although I listen to the much newer PS Audio Direct Stream DAC and Memory Player as additional references, the XDS1 has been so consistently musical and free of coloration that I have never had a reason to replace it. There now is also a new XDS1 V3 upgrade—the result of some eight years of experimentation and development. I’d put the V3’s sound up against any other top contender in its overall musicality, transparency, precision, natural timbre, and soundstaging. At $4000 it’s expensive to upgrade from the V2, but well worth it, and you can upgrade the V1, as well. Both Pass Labs and Meitner products are further evidence that really good components can make the high end a lasting road to musical pleasure, rather than a race to spend on new products.

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Golden Ear Awards 2016: Jacob Heilbrunn https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/golden-ear-awards-2016-jacob-heilbrunn/ https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/golden-ear-awards-2016-jacob-heilbrunn/#respond Thu, 29 Sep 2016 16:54:55 +0000 http://localhost/tas_dev/articles/golden-ear-awards-2016-jacob-heilbrunn Transparent Opus Generation 5 $22,000 meter pair (balanced interconnect), $39,000 […]

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Transparent Opus Generation 5
$22,000 meter pair (balanced interconnect), $39,000 8′ speaker cable
Transparent’s reference line of networked interconnects and speaker cables sets a very high bar indeed for sonic performance. It builds upon the earlier Transparent Opus line to offer a seamless midrange and silky highs. Most distinctive about the Generation 5 cables are their cavernous soundstage, in many ways a product of their ability to provide an almost unrivaled bass foundation, and their superbly natural tonality. Other cables may be faster or more detailed, but Transparent offers a mesmerizing blend of virtues that add up to a larger musical whole. Believe it or not, there is a Magnum line that pushes the frontiers one step further, but the Opus Gen 5 should be more than satisfactory for all but the most fastidious audiophiles.

Lyra Etna SL Cartridge
$9999
Lyra cartridges have always excelled at slam, dynamics, and sheer musical excitement. The Etna SL does not move away from those qualities so much as mark a salubrious evolution towards a more refined and agreeable sound. Gone is any lingering sense of zippiness or etch that occasionally reared its head with the Etna’s lineal predecessors. The super-low-output designation (SL), which refers to the fewer coil windings, appears to result in a cartridge that unites an extremely low noise floor with amazing transient precision. The Etna is able to render everything from piano to trumpets with superb fidelity, almost as though it could discern the healthy part of the vinyl. The Etna is a surpassingly winning cartridge, one that is so evenhanded throughout the frequency spectrum that it is always a delight to audition.

dCS Vivaldi 2.0 Digital Source
$41,999 (Transport), $35,999 (DAC), $21,999 (Upsampler), $14,999 (Clock)
The Vivaldi first appeared several years ago and featured excellent soundstaging and dynamics. But the new 2.0 version, which features software and internal hardware changes, truly catapults its performance into the stratosphere. Some of the most notable improvements occur in the treble region, where for the first time digital playback seems to obtain the air that is so palpable on vinyl sources. There is also audibly more detail in the treble and midrange areas, allowing the tonality of individual instruments to emerge in a much more striking fashion. Piano trills are enunciated with a shocking finesse and clarity. The bass lines are also palpably tighter and deeper. Overall, the presentation isn’t simply more dynamic, but also supplies a lot more weight to instruments such as piano or trumpet. With its latest version of the Vivaldi, dCS has hit it out of the park.

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Golden Ear Awards 2016: Robert Harley https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/golden-ear-awards-2016-robert-harley/ https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/golden-ear-awards-2016-robert-harley/#respond Wed, 21 Sep 2016 16:04:38 +0000 http://localhost/tas_dev/articles/golden-ear-awards-2016-robert-harley David Berning Audio 211/845 Amplifier $75,000 In the new 211/845, […]

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David Berning Audio 211/845 Amplifier
$75,000
In the new 211/845, David Berning has created the most ambitious realization yet of his brilliant ZOTL circuit that allows a tube amplifier to operate without an output transformer. The 211/845 offers 60W of pure Class A triode tube power (via either 211 or 845 output tubes) with no feedback. The 211/845 conveys the beauty of instrumental timbre and voices with a stunning realism and immediacy. The impression that everything between you and the music has been stripped away is palpable. In this regard, the 211/845 simply has no peer, tube or solid state. Surprisingly, the bass is well defined and tuneful, although not the last word in dynamic impact. The highish output impedance and limited current delivery dictate that the 211/845 be matched with a loudspeaker of appropriate sensitivity and impedance. But when given the right load, the Berning 211/845 is nothing short of magical.

Critical Mass Systems Maxxum Equipment Rack and Amplifier Stands
Price varies with configuration
It’s not an overstatement to say that the Critical Mass Systems Maxxum equipment racks and amplifier stands vaulted my system’s performance to a new level. I heard a much quieter and deeper background, coupled with greater clarity of low-level sounds, particularly micro-transients. These qualities combined to infuse the music with a density of subtle musical information that was mesmerizing. The CMS supports make the music sound more coherent, with greater clarity of individual lines, superior transient fidelity, and the ability to help the loudspeakers disappear into the soundstage. Although expensive (a three-shelf rack is about $18k; the amplifier stands are $5650 each), the Maxxum supports are built and finished to the highest standards. Note that CMS makes less expensive products that have received similar praise (their entry-level Sotto Voce received a Golden Ear Award from Alan Taffel in Issue 254).

Basis Superarm 9 Tonearm
$15,750
Although Basis Audio’s Vector IV tonearm is outstanding, the company’s Superarm 9 plays in an entirely different league. This arm’s ultra-low resonance gives it a relaxed ease, particularly through the midrange. Instrumental timbres are clean, liquid, and free from glare. One listen to vocals through the Superarm 9, and there’s no going back. Fine details are vividly brought to life, particularly transients, giving the presentation greater density of information without added forwardness. The bass is phenomenal, combining great heft and weight with dynamic agility. A reference-quality tonearm.

Meridian 808v6 CD Player and Explorer2 DAC
$22,000/$299
This update to Meridian’s flagship CD player/DAC incorporates several performance improvements, but more significantly, adds decoding of Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files. Even when decoding conventional digital, the 808v6 is in the top echelon of digital playback, with a smooth tonal balance, superb dynamics, and absolutely rock-solid and extended bass. But feed it an MQA-encoded file and the 808v6 takes on a whole new life, with tremendous dimensionality, tangible air between images, utter liquidity of timbre, and more realistic transient reproduction. The 808v6’s substantial price puts it out of range of most listeners, but fortunately you can hear what MQA is all about in Meridian’s $299 Explorer2 DAC, which also is deserving of a Golden Ear Award. The Explorer2’s sound quality when decoding MQA files is exceptional by any measure, and all the more so when considering its price.

Constellation Audio Altair II Preamplifier and Hercules II Monoblock Power Amplifier
$80,000 (Altair II), $180,000 per pair (Hercules II)
Constellation Audio took what was already the highest resolution and most transparent solid-state electronics I’ve heard, the original Altair preamplifier and Hercules monoblock power amplifiers, and vaulted them to a new level of performance in the Series II. The original Hercules delivered reference-quality midrange and treble, but with a somewhat polite bottom end. The II’s bass is now outstanding, with plenty of heft, weight, and dynamic impact. Surprisingly, the qualities for which Constellation is known—exceedingly high resolution, transparency, treble delicacy—are even more apparent in the new Hercules. The Altair II is also improved, in both sound quality and user interface. As colorless a piece of electronics as you’re ever likely to hear, with no sonic flavor of its own, the Altair II allows the finest micro-details of timbre, transient information, and spatial cues to pass through without imposing its own signature on the music. These are world-class, reference-quality electronics that would be at home in the most demanding systems.

T+A PDP 3000 HV CD/SACD Player and DAC
$22,500
This CD/SACD player and DAC from Germany’s T+A may be the best all-around value in digital today. Solidly built and a joy to use, the PDP 3000 HV features a custom-made transport mechanism made mostly from metal, rather than plastic, parts. As part of its no-compromise approach, the PDP 3000 HV features completely separate signal paths, DACs, and even analog-output stages for PCM and DSD sources. When playing DSD, the PDP 3000 HV uses different filters depending on the DSD rate. Sonically, the T+A performs with the best of them when decoding PCM sources, and offers the finest SACD playback I’ve heard.

MartinLogan Neolith Loudspeaker
$80,000
The Neolith may be the greatest bargain in upper-end loudspeakers today. MartinLogan swung for the fences with this new electrostatic/dynamic hybrid, mounting a roughly 4′ x 2′ XStat electrostatic panel atop an enclosure that houses a front-firing 12″ driver and a 15″ rear-firing woofer. If a loudspeaker is judged by how realistically it renders the sounds of instruments and voices in your living room, then the Neolith is surely the state of the art. The Neolith is simply sensational in its ability to present instruments and vocalists as tangible objects in space. This palpability of images is as good as it gets. The resolution of fine detail, ability to portray transient speed (both starting and stopping), and reproduction of the scale and grandeur of large-scale classical music are also beyond reproach. Surprisingly, the cone woofers integrate seamlessly with the electrostatic panel. The bottom end is not as tight and controlled as some other state-of-the-art contenders, but that’s picking nits in the context of the Neolith’s stunning musicality.

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