Which CD Player?

[steveep1*]

Hi everybody

i would like to upgrade my alpha 7se cd player...its ok but too metallic!
should i go for an 8se or 9 (which are a bit pricey) or go for 72/73?
cheers.

[Crustyloafer]

I would definitely have a listen to the CD73, its a really nice player indeed.

[ajhavf]

What sort of system will the player be going into ?

[steveep1*]

Originally Posted by ajhavf

What sort of system will the player be going into ?

Alpha 8R amp, epos els3 speakers (which have gotta go) and modified Goldring lenco turntable. I am fairly new to hi-Fi and all I know is the turntable sounds great.
Whatcha think?

[ajhavf]

Originally Posted by steveep1*

Alpha 8R amp, epos els3 speakers (which have gotta go) and modified Goldring lenco turntable. I am fairly new to hi-Fi and all I know is the turntable sounds great.
Whatcha think?

Turntables are great. To get a CD player that will satisfy I think you will need to look at the analogue focused models, like the Rega Apollo, I haven't heard it but I have a Rega Planet 2000 and it's quite analogue like, people say the Apollo is a further improvement.

All the CD players from Arcam will out do the turntable for detail retrieval, but will fall short of the analogue, smoothness ability of turntables. That is likely your metallic characteristic you mention. A good way to combat this in CD players is to upgrade the clock to the best you can afford.

So unfortunately as far as Arcam is concerned for you, not much unless your going to their higher end models, I think CD36 straight off as your going for the incomparable convenience of CD against vinyl. Rega's entry model seems to fit your purpose well, I think that is their exact aim. Try the CD73 however, you may be surprised.

[steveep1*]

Originally Posted by ajhavf

Turntables are great. To get a CD player that will satisfy I think you will need to look at the analogue focused models, like the Rega Apollo, I haven't heard it but I have a Rega Planet 2000 and it's quite analogue like, people say the Apollo is a further improvement.

All the CD players from Arcam will out do the turntable for detail retrieval, but will fall short of the analogue, smoothness ability of turntables. That is likely your metallic characteristic you mention. A good way to combat this in CD players is to upgrade the clock to the best you can afford.

So unfortunately as far as Arcam is concerned for you, not much unless your going to their higher end models, I think CD36 straight off as your going for the incomparable convenience of CD against vinyl. Rega's entry model seems to fit your purpose well, I think that is their exact aim. Try the CD73 however, you may be surprised.

thanks, sounds like good advice and exactly what I was gonna do - there being a planet" on ebay now. but then I made a rash/impulse buy and bought a 72? i am thinking this will be minimal upgrade to my 7se and perhaps more bright! oh well it was a good price so i am not gonna loose hopefully. The rega dosent fit in the rack if you have turntable thou. Are you happy with yours?

[ajhavf]

Yes I was very happy with my Rega Planet 2000, it had a clock upgrade and a few important signal path and main power caps exchanged. Not to very exotic caps either. I had the Rega placed on a shelf that had a sufficient gap to easily use the top load, I like the top load, no drawer means less moving gears and motors to break. It was called The Enterprise. I still have it for emergency times.

The CD72 is surely better than your Alpha SE, you will be able to test this for yourself now. The more experience the better.

[GW43]

Originally Posted by steveep1*

Hi everybody

i would like to upgrade my alpha 7se cd player...its ok but too metallic!
should i go for an 8se or 9 (which are a bit pricey) or go for 72/73?
cheers.

I couldn't tell the difference between my 7SE and a CD73 - and neither could the guy in the shop.

I ended up with a Squeezebox which (to my ears) is way better (more dymanic, more detail, wider soundstage) than my 7SE, and far more convenient.

[steveep1*]

Originally Posted by GW43

I couldn't tell the difference between my 7SE and a CD73 - and neither could the guy in the shop.

I ended up with a Squeezebox which (to my ears) is way better (more dymanic, more detail, wider soundstage) than my 7SE, and far more convenient.

What is a squeeeze box??? I just got a 72 today! £135 + postage..mint condition.. Only 20 quid more than the alpha. Does it sound better? ...had too much too drink so it all sounds good at the moment. Anyway its better looking than the alpha ...but cant tell significant differance so far, will have session tomorrow ..listening not drinking!

[GW43]

Originally Posted by steveep1*

What is a squeeeze box??? :

See here: http://www.slimdevices.com/

and here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Squeezebox-W...5261476&sr=8-1

It allows you to wirelessly (or by ethernet) stream music files from your hif from your computer. By using a large USB drive and lossless file formats, you can get outstanding quality and convenience - random play of your whole CD collection for example. The Squeezebox has digital outs so you can add a DAC if you wish.

[steveep1*]

oh yeah, how is that really defferent from my laptop apart from the obvious? isnt it still restricted by the bit rate output and therefore not as good as cd?
My laptop and ipod arent as good as cd.

[GW43]

Originally Posted by steveep1*

oh yeah, how is that really defferent from my laptop apart from the obvious? isnt it still restricted by the bit rate output and therefore not as good as cd?
My laptop and ipod arent as good as cd.

The Squeezebox can use lossless codecs.

[Druboo]

Originally Posted by GW43

far more convenient.

Agree with you on that Great piece of kit

CD's all ripped to usb drive in FLAC. Played through my A22 sounds

Now when I have a music session I don't end up with my floor covered in CD's Saves wearing the transport out on my DV79 as well

[Joelsim]

I had a 7SE/& amp and upgraded to CD92/A85/P85 and the difference was incredible

[dhanames]

I am currently listening to a Consonance Reference 2.2 MKII CD Player which I am auditioning as a replacement for my CD72. My setup consists of an Arcam AVR200 with a P85/3 bi-amping Quad 21L speakers. I wanted to upgrade and decided to try the Consonance player. This particular player has both XLR and RCA connections. The XLR use the solid state side of the player and the RCA have a Sovtek tube that is used to enhance the quality of the sound.

So far I would describe the player as very open and detailed but the warmth of the sound is excellent. I only have about 15 hours on the player yet and I have been told to give it about 100 hours+ to really hear what it can do. The CD72 I have is excellent and I also auditioned the CD192 but it looks like the Consonance will be a keeper.

Hope this helps good luck ..