Technics SL-G700M2-S

$3499

Meticulously constructed with 4 separate inner compartments to accommodate the facility provide, digital and analog circuits, and the die-cast aluminum disc drive, the Technics SL-G700M2-S is designed with a watch in the direction of minimizing each digital interference and mechanical vibration. The D-to-A circuit options dual-mono structure with two AK4497 chips outputting “native” DSD as much as 11.2MHz and PCM as much as 384kHz. Ethernet, wi-fi, and Bluetooth connectivity are offered; the SL-G700M2-S can be outfitted for full MQA decoding. The participant excelled at revealing delicate dynamic gradations, appropriate scaling of devices, and picture specificity and spatiality on good recordings. AQ, 300

Marantz SA-K1 Ruby

$3999

The nice audio designer Ken Ishiwata made his popularity with an exceptionally musical-sounding modification of an early Marantz CD participant. The SA-KI represents his newest, probably his final, digital part and is his most interesting work, providing one of the best SACD and CD playback from a single unit that TAS’s Paul Seydor has had in-house, and a number of the finest he’s heard wherever. Its excellent onboard DAC can be utilized with a music server to stream and play downloads in each decision generally out there, together with native DSD as much as 11.2MHz. Those in the hunt for the proverbial “final” disc-spinner want look no additional. PS, 302

Bryston BCD-3

$4495

Reviewer Alan Taffel started his assessment by questioning if a CD participant just like the BCD-3 was even related in right this moment’s digital world. He found, to his shock, that it was. His subsequent discovery was simply how good the BCD-3 sounds, and the way a lot of an enchancment it represented over even wonderful last-generation CD gamers. Then, the Bryston went toe-to-toe with among the finest CD gamers out there—with out embarrassing itself within the least. Lastly, he found that the BCD-3’s improve path, which consists of turning itself right into a transport to work with future or dearer DACs, actually works. Put this collectively and you actually do have what may very well be your final CD participant. “If I have been selecting a CD participant that wouldn’t break the financial institution however was unflinching in its musical and sonic generosity,” Alan concluded, “the BCD-3 could be on the high of my record.” AT, 289

McIntosh MCT500

$5500

The MCT500 SACD transport was launched for audiophiles who already personal a McIntosh preamp, built-in amp, or receiver outfitted with one of many firm’s proprietary DAC modules. It will deal with nearly any 4.75″ disc on the planet and, after all, hybrid SACDs. With no built-in DAC, the MCT500 permits direct entry to the DSD recordsdata on an SACD disc through a proprietary cable that may be related solely to different McIntosh merchandise with the reciprocal MCT jack. It’s thus inconceivable to talk of its sound as a result of its sound is that of the partnering McIntosh part. As auditioned by PS with the C52 and C53 preamps, its replica was nearly as good as he has skilled with every other SACD/CD gamers or DACs, bettered by none and equaled solely by a only a few. PS, 315

T+A MP 200

$5900

T+A’s MP 200 is finest regarded as a CD transport plus a Roon-compatible streamer. There’s no DAC inside, however the MP 200 does the whole lot to tee up a number of digital sources—together with HDD, SDD, and thumb drives—for a downstream DAC. When mixed with T+A’s DAC 200, the 2 act as a single unit. The MP 200 is a superb-sounding streamer, maybe as a result of it homes the identical streaming module as T+A’s high separates. Further, the in-house-built CD transport rivals one of the best on the earth. Add in a beautiful, petite kind issue plus nice worth, and also you’ve obtained a house run. AT, 335

Mark Levinson N^o5101

$6050

With a disc drive that may play CD and SACD, together with a completely outfitted streaming DAC, the Mark Levinson N^o5101 will deal with nearly any digital supply. The participant is suitable with PCM as much as 32-bit/384kHz, in addition to DSD as much as 4x. On the technical facet, the unit has a 32-bit ESS Sabre DAC with user-selectable digital filters and a proprietary jitter-reduction circuit. The output stage is totally discrete, direct-coupled, and twin monaural, with the sign output on RCA and XLR jacks. You can function the unit through a standard handheld distant management or through a customized app, referred to as 5Kontrol. The participant has wonderful sound high quality, notably within the transition from the higher bass to the decrease midrange, which preserves the pure heat of music with out softening it. AHC, 322

Aesthetix Romulus

$9000–$10,000

Another house run for Aesthetix, the tubed Romulus combines a disc participant and DAC (USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF inputs) in a extremely practical and great-sounding part. The further $1000 from the bottom worth buys you an revolutionary quantity management that means that you can drive an influence amplifier straight. The build- and parts-quality are first-rate. Sonically, the Romulus affords an exceptionally pure sound with an excellent sense of ease and an expansive soundstage. RH, 243

MBL Cadenza C31

$9600

In right this moment’s computer-driven market the C31 CD participant can simply as moderately be thought of a “DAC with transport.” Either approach, its efficiency is uncompromising. With Red Book discs the slot-drive transport will get a slight nod for its extra intimate and luxurious perspective; nevertheless, with 24-bit/96kHz materials the asynchronous USB wins fingers down. A jewel of a participant. NG, 228

T+A MP 2000 R MKII

$9825

Not only a glorified music pc, T+A’s R-Series MP 2000 R MkII is extra precisely a hybrid of CD transport and DAC with potent community/streaming-client functionality. Thus, it accommodates most of right this moment’s digital sources, from discs to good units, USB thumb drives, outboard storage like a NAS, plus Internet radio and music companies equivalent to Tidal. CD and community playback are unerringly very good, with naturalistic timbres and harmonics, midrange bloom, and ripe bass resonance and management. NG, 275

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