Creek CD53 vs. any competent player of today, eg. Rega Apollo

[trane]

hi, there,
i wonder if anyone out there has had the chance to compare the above 2, or the creek cd53 and a good cd-playing, machine of past '01? models that i may be interested in to read about in this regard include the
- arcam cd33, 192
- rega jupiter (i have had the apollo)
- micromega stage 3, 6, 132, 132-se
- audiomeca obsession mk i and ii
- helios model 2, 3
- cairn tornado, v2.0 (+soft)
- others that my fit in the (sonics)line easily judged from the above
eager to learn your experiences :)

[hifi_dave]

If you can't manage to squeeze in a Saturn, go for the Apollo, an absolutely stunning CD player which won't let you down. They are both reduced in price just now.

[Alex Nikitin]

hi, there,
i wonder if anyone out there has had the chance to compare the above 2, or the creek cd53 and a good cd-playing, machine of past '01? models that i may be interested in to read about in this regard include the
- arcam cd33, 192
- rega jupiter (i have had the apollo)
- micromega stage 3, 6, 132, 132-se
- audiomeca obsession mk i and ii
- helios model 2, 3
- cairn tornado, v2.0 (+soft)
- others that my fit in the (sonics)line easily judged from the above
eager to learn your experiences :)

As I've designed CD53, it would be interesting for me to know what you will find better. There are technical solutions in it which are unique and I am not sure even now if I would wish for a better player if I could afford CD53 at the time. If you plan to sell it - I may be interested ;) .

Cheers

Alex

[Spectral Morn]

I can say that the Audiomecca Obsession mk2 is a fantastic Cd player imho/e. However I can't say how it compares to a Creek. However while they were available (before Piere Lurne stopped doing digital) it was for its £1250 price a real bargain.


Regards D S D L

[trane]

If you can't manage to squeeze in a Saturn, go for the Apollo, an absolutely stunning CD player which won't let you down. They are both reduced in price just now.

you're absolutely right, dave - however:

- i did have the apollo (as noted in my 1st post), also the 35th le edition, and they both were absolutely stunning players regardless of sensible price (below 1500 GBP)
- BUT both apollo type players, and other apollo samples that i could try, did not play some of my beloved and factory-made redbook cds that played on all non-apollos, e.g. the ol' planet included, and on different brand players
- that's why i with my heart bleeding had to part with them
- the same goes for the saturn...

hence i am looking for a different model, though voiced similarly...

[trane]

As I've designed CD53, it would be interesting for me to know what you will find better. There are technical solutions in it which are unique and I am not sure even now if I would wish for a better player if I could afford CD53 at the time. If you plan to sell it - I may be interested ;) .

Cheers

Alex

thanks for your input, alex, highly appreciated :)

i beleive you that technically the cd53 is a great achievement (and congrats for desinging such great products :) ), however, i used the cd50 mk2 for a while which creek on their site, and in their brochures, declared to be the best cd-player sonics-wise (i.e. pre-destiny) ever they had produced. BUT the lil' rega apollo beat it an all aspects - sans reading all my factory-made and redbook cds. that's why i had to sell the apollo(s), and why i am on the route again...

and since the sonics of the above cd-playing machines share a lot with each other, especially with the apollo, hence i listed them as being interested to learn how they compare to the cd53, which could/ought to be my first port of call :)

[trane]

I can say that the Audiomecca Obsession mk2 is a fantastic Cd player imho/e. However I can't say how it compares to a Creek. However while they were available (before Piere Lurne stopped doing digital) it was for its £1250 price a real bargain.


Regards D S D L

sure, i had both obsession models (that's why i put them in the list as 'references' for judging the performance of the cd53), and a week ago even there was a keops at ebay which i could bid for, but it is also equipped with the same sanyo mech as the obsessions, and that has a reading problem with many a today's cds :( . back to the keops, it went at a silly price of 672 EUR...

[Spectral Morn]

sure, i had both obsession models (that's why i put them in the list as 'references' for judging the performance of the cd53), and a week ago even there was a keops at ebay which i could bid for, but it is also equipped with the same sanyo mech as the obsessions, and that has a reading problem with many a today's cds :( . back to the keops, it went at a silly price of 672 EUR...

Yeah don't talk to me about the Sanyo lazer:doh: There are two versions one with plugs and one with flying leads. You can adapt the former to be the latter, but your engineer needs to be both gifted and patient. Audiomeca were not the only company to use this..all have had problems.

Frankly the later Audiomeca stuff is worth a punt on, but not the earlier stuff imho. I have a Mephisto mk 2 Transport and it is fabulous, but the mechanism is not the most silent.

The biggest issue with Audiomeca is the truly dire packaging...it was total crap and inadequate to protect the products in transit. Most problems were down to that.

Frankly a Keops is not worth that kind of money imho..but Piere Lurne has a following...so the fanboys will pay big time for Audiomecca kit.


Regards D S D L

[DSJR]

I'm worried that some of this lesser known stuff will plummet in value.

Hows about an Avondale ACD3? mech replacements not a problem for Les, as he has a stockholding and the basically sound Naim original has been sensibly race tuned to perfection.. MUSIC FIRST!!!!!!

By the way, the CD-M9 mech out tracks almost anything out there except possibly some of the 1988 - 1990 vintage Sony's..

[Alex Nikitin]

however, i used the cd50 mk2 for a while which creek on their site, and in their brochures, declared to be the best cd-player sonics-wise (i.e. pre-destiny) ever they had produced. BUT the lil' rega apollo beat it an all aspects - sans reading all my factory-made and redbook cds. that's why i had to sell the apollo(s), and why i am on the route again...

Don't believe all what is written ;) . I would not consider cd50mk2 at all, FYI. CD50 (mk1) is better than mk2 (IMHO), and mk1 was more or less just CD43mk2 re-cased. CD53 is in a completely different class altogether.

Alex

[Rare Bird]

hi, there,
i wonder if anyone out there has had the chance to compare the above 2, or the creek cd53 and a good cd-playing, machine of past '01? models that i may be interested in to read about in this regard include the
- arcam cd33, 192
- rega jupiter (i have had the apollo)
- micromega stage 3, 6, 132, 132-se
- others that my fit in the (sonics)line easily judged from the above
eager to learn your experiences :)

Hi Train
I found the Arcam Diva CDP's not at all brilliant, the best one i had was the 'CD72', it uses a different mech to the '73' & seems to load data quicker & slightly less noisy..I had my 'CD73' put through upgrades but quite frankly was a waste of money for me..

Regarding the Micromega, i have two 'Stage 1' players & quite recently had 'Stage 6'. I sold the 'Stage 6' as i found the 'Stage 1' with Maverick 'D1' DAC to outperform it.I hear a hell of a lot complain about reliability issues regarding the Stage players! The first thing i did was replace the lazer assembly, clean & re lubricate the drawer/mech guides, new motor belt..Yes these machines are noisy at loading & finger amputation is possible :lol: but thats fine as they sound great to me..I did like the later Micromega 'Minium' player but the internal finish of the enclosure were not as good as the Stage player but sounded every bit as good, had reverse phase if i remember. This player i have has now had all it's onboard Capacitors replaced & plan working on the clocking over the next year.

I have heard Rega CDP they are ok but i feel the contruction is rather toy like but thats my view, other may like.

[trane]

thanks for all of your inputs, guys, i will try to listen to as many players as i can - though it's not easy here... that's why i am still open to any (other) advice regarding the purchase of a new cdp (regretfully) other than the apollo or the saturn... :(

[trane]

Don't believe all what is written ;) . I would not consider cd50mk2 at all, FYI. CD50 (mk1) is better than mk2 (IMHO), and mk1 was more or less just CD43mk2 re-cased. CD53 is in a completely different class altogether.

Alex

hi, Alex,
you have both PM and e-mail :)
cheers,

[trane]

finally ended up with a fabulous creek cd53 - (extremely) well done, Alex :)

[Alex Nikitin]

Hi Attila,

Thank you. I will reply to your email shortly - apologies for a delay!

Cheers

Alex

[markf]

I used a Creek CD60 for many years, I was very happy with it ,later on I got the
matching DAC 60 to go with it. A fine combination .

[DSJR]

That CD53 looks very well laid out inside and possibly easy to service (?)

I've got to do summat with my Micro Seiki. it's such a heavy devil to extract from the cabinet, but I get rifle shots and background rumbings/rustles when playing for a few hours after switch-on and if I'm not in the room I fear for the Spendors.

[trane]

Hi Attila,

Thank you. I will reply to your email shortly - apologies for a delay!

Cheers

Alex

hi, Alex,
no prob - in the meantime i had the chance to familiarise with your amazing phono stages (via the net as yet, only, but they do seem quite interesting), congrats :)

[trane]

That CD53 looks very well laid out inside and possibly easy to service (?)

I've got to do summat with my Micro Seiki. it's such a heavy devil to extract from the cabinet, but I get rifle shots and background rumbings/rustles when playing for a few hours after switch-on and if I'm not in the room I fear for the Spendors.

luckily this one ain't any prob, and judging by the standard it's built it's gonna have a lot of years until in the need of any kinda service :)

[trane]

I used a Creek CD60 for many years, I was very happy with it ,later on I got the
matching DAC 60 to go with it. A fine combination .

must have been quite a treat - the first cd-player (read: post-Rega Planet) that made me really wonder if CD has any potential as a MUSIC carrying format was the humble CD43 (Mk I)> that's why my love for Creek CD-players :)

[markf]

The CD60 is a great player and thankfully it's under the radar of the modifiers
so if anyone is looking for a classic 16 bit player then this is a good candidate.
I think they sell for very little when they do come up for sale (approx $200) I'm
keeping mine.