In this post, we will not talk about sonic characteristcs, per se, but just the differences in functionality of the higher-end players we currently have available.
Just by itself, the difference in what these players do, and their basic approach to sound, is enough to differentiate them – enough to help many people choose which one they are most likely interested in.
*** Audio Note U.K. DAC / Transport combinations. $[varies]
Tube. If you want a musical, very customizable sound (through tube-rolling), do not need another preamp, do not want to run your PC or video system into the DAC. , and have space for a two component player.
*** Audio Aero Capitole Reference CD player with linestage: $9,580.00.
Tube. If you want a very musical yet unveiled sound, need a good linestage, and do not care about SACD.
*** EMM Labs CDSA CD / SACD player $9,995.00
Solid-state. If you want a very pure yet musical sound, want SACD, do not need another preamp, do not want to run your PC or video system into the DAC, and/or only have rack space for one component.
*** Audio Aero Prestige CD /SACD player with linestage: $12,990.00.
Tube. If you want a very musical, detailed and solid sound, want SACD, need a good linestage, need a front loading CD player and/or only have rack space for one component.
*** EMM Labs CDSD SE and DCC2 SE: $21,900.00
Solid-state. If you want a very pure yet musical sound, want SACD, need a good line-stage, and/or want to run your PC or video system into the DAC, and have space for a two component player.
*** Audio Note U.K. CDT3 and DAC 4.1x Balanced: $22,600.00
Tube. If you want lots of detail with each note rendered in an analog-like fashion, do not need a preamp, and have space for a two component player.
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A FEW THINGS
First, these really are some of the, if not THE, best digital today.
Second, the built-in preamp are really quite good. Not spectacular, but really, REALLY good for the price paid.
Third, given your current system, and where you want to take it, you probably have a good idea about going for a tube versus a solid-state solution. The solid-state here is very, very good, very un-solid-state-like, but it will not ‘add musicality’, but neither will it take away musicality [unlike most other solid-state digital]. . It just ‘is’.
Fourth, given a budget, it may be best to allocate a larger portion of the overall budget to a player with a built-in pre, rather than get both a lesser CD player and a separate pre. Not only from a potential shelf space (and extra power cord and cable!) issue, but because it will be find to find a preamp that does what THESE built-in preamps do for anywhere near the money.
Audio Note is coming out with several single-box players, so this will make some choices harder. But for people on a budget, who have a system that they want to keep most of, who know whether or not they like their current preamp, have a preference for a specific-sound, who have limited rack space, the choosing process is really going to be very similar to the list above.
