Asking suggestion for a CDP upgrade: help!

Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

Posted by tinos (A) on February 11, 2008 at 01:00:32

Hello all, I have a problem here and would appreciate an advice.

Here's the problem: I have a pair of very revealing speakers - Verity Audio Parsifal Encore Monitors. Once I had a satisfying sound from them using McCormack DNA-1 (rev B) / TLC-1 (ditto) / Musical Fidelity A3.2 CDP. About a couple months ago, for some crazy reasons I changed the electronics to Quad 99/909 system. Not only have I lost the magic but I'm also hearing slight sizzle/tingle in the mid-treble. Replacing QuadLinks to Transparent MusicLink cables reduced it somewhat but did not completely cure the problem. I swapped out each part of the system to see which one produces the tingle - it turned out that Quad 99 CDP-2 was the main culprit.

I can see that some may perceive the tingling mid-treble as a pleasant / pretty rendition that adds some liveliness and definition to the sound-image. Quad CDP-2 has good dynamics, fine detail and ample bass I like but I just can't stand the mid-treble emphasis. I want clean, supple, lithe and warm sound. I care less about details or sound-stage. Tonality comes first. And no, I don't want tubes.

So I am in the process of acquiring a new amp and CDP. Could anyone suggest a CDP that has similar tone to MF 3.2 with a little more refinement? I aim for $1500 - 2000 range, including used.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for my not-so-good english!

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Topic - Asking suggestion for a CDP upgrade: help! - tinos 01:00:32 02/11/08 (12)

Try Using the Quad as a DAC Before You Ditch It - Mudshark 11:37:50 03/16/08 (0)

RE: Asking suggestion for a CDP upgrade: help! - hundredwaters 10:57:51 03/16/08 (0)

Thanks all for your suggestions! (nt) - tinos 06:16:49 02/16/08 (0)

"Not only have I lost the magic.....". - Quiet Earth 10:23:34 02/14/08 (0)

Audio Note Dacs and CDPs can take care of that, but they aren't cheap. - Frihed89 03:12:18 02/13/08 (0)

So you've used the Quad 99 CDP-2? - Skye 14:47:26 02/11/08 (4)

RE: So you've used the Quad 99 CDP-2? - tinos 20:58:01 02/11/08 (3)

RE: So you've used the Quad 99 CDP-2? - Skye 05:54:40 02/12/08 (2)

It would seem natural for "us kids" to lean in the direction of PC Audio,... - carcass93 13:28:15 02/12/08 (1)

RE: It would seem natural for "us kids" to lean in the direction of PC Audio,... - Skye 14:03:15 02/12/08 (0)

Go for Marantz... - FidPup 07:03:37 02/11/08 (3)

RE: Go for Marantz... - tinos 07:33:54 02/12/08 (1)

RE: Go for Marantz... - FidPup 10:50:35 02/13/08 (0)

RE: Go for Marantz... - mjcmt 11:59:42 02/11/08 (0)

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