Still thinking about a replacement for the Sony. I really love this piece, but I still just might pull the trigger on a new unit. Listened really hard to the Ayre C-5xe, and to the Esoteric X-03, but neither of those did it for me.
February 2008. Where there was once only one of these, now there are two. Bi-amping: using one for the bass and the second for the midrange and tweeter. This is an amazing set-up. Many thanks to my dealer for letting me try this out before buying.
Ayre Acoustics Signature Series
February 2008.
Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamond
December 2007.
Conrad Johnson Premier Seventeen LS
January 2004. This thing is so sweet. Loved it out of the box, but with a little tube rolling, it got even better!
Kimber Kable Monocle XL
June 2005.
Linn LP-12 Sondek
December 2008.
Linn Klyde
December 2008
Mullard CV 2493
June 2005.
Rotel RQ-970
December 2008.
Shunyata Diamondback
February 2008.
Sony SCD-1
June 2003. This is now the oldest piece in my system, but I just love this silver beauty. I have recently auditioned both the superb Ayre C-5xe and the equally superb Esoteric X-03, but neither one of those stayed here. I just could not bear to part with the Sony.
Thanks for the suggestions, Mike. I had not thought of either Audio Research of DCS. Let me see if I can find dealers around here Washington, DC) that carry those brands. As I said, I really listened hard to the Ayre C-5xe, and my dealer was generous enough to let me take it home for about a week. I really did want to like it, and I did. But, just not as much as my Sony. I listened to the Esoteric X-03 also, but I could only have that for two days.
Nice title to your system. A life long Allman Brother myself. Have you thought about Audio Research? The cd3 is still considered to notch and the CD7 is supposed to be incredible. DCS is another name that gets allot of good press.
