View Full Version : Replacing a Mark Levinson CD player
Stranraer
04-08-2023, 19:25
Evening all, I'm looking for some suggestions, guidance, baseless opinions if anyone's up for it.
My ML390 might have finally spun it's last disc so I'm weighing up options.
I've been running an Audiolab 6000 player with Soncoz SDG1 DAC as a (possibly temporary) replacement. It's doing a fine job but I'm missing that extra quality the Levinson brings.
My thoughts are either stick with these, buy a better DAC to pair with the Audiolab (and am currently drawn to the Teac UD701 though I've not seen or heard it), or maybe buy a pre-owned high end player, with a budget around the £2k mark.
Thoughts ? All input welcome. Knock yerselves out.......:punch:
You could do a lot worse than look at a Meridian G series CDP or DVD player. But IIRC you need to check that the power supply has been replaced. Have a look on the Meridian Unplugged website for detail, and follow the link to ‘Duncan’s Meridian Info’. Or an earlier 508-24 but you would be wise to pick up a spare laser mech or two, if you went down that route. You can get all of these for much less than a grand in good nick.
Alternatively, I auditioned a second hand Krell at the £1200 mark (?) a while back and was very impressed especially with the bass but it wasn’t that much more impressive than my current Meridians (508-24 CDP and a 500 CDT plus DAC).
Stranraer
05-08-2023, 07:13
Thanks Kember, not a brand I've considered.
Any thoughts on pairing Meridian with valves ? I'm all Croft, and they're keepers.
I like the very clean output from Meridians, but they do not have that bass heavy effect that I have experienced from the likes of Levinson and Macintosh. Some people think that the Meridians are a bit laid back but I think it is more that there’s a less coloured signal. Whatever it is, it takes some getting used to, compared to the slightly sledgehammer approach of some of the Yank mega boxes. Just my taste/opinion obvs.
But I’ve paired my 508 in the past with an Audio Research valve integrated to good effect.
As with other things, a reasonably ‘pure’ source won’t do much harm to whatever colouration you wish to add:).
I have had a couple of Meridian CD players and fine machines they are. Lasers and laser/transport mechanism is the weak link particularly with the 506.24 I had latterly.
I did have a couple of spares for this machine which is now long gone, however a friend tried to use one on his 506.24 with no success, so caution is probably advisable.
I had no problem using Meridian in an all valve set up, and found the characteristics of Meridian much as described above by Kember.
I would have no hesitation in listening to one of Meridians modern players however they are expensive for me who does not use CD as my primary source.
Stranraer
06-08-2023, 21:01
Ta for the suggestions. I've done a quick search and can't quite get a grip on how old the machines for sale are.
Any idea when (if ?) they stopped production ?
I'm following this thread with interest as I am becoming dissatisfied with my Mark Levinson 390s CD player.
Can I ask the reason why you are looking to change yours, and what is your budget for its replacement?
Thanks
Stranraer
06-08-2023, 22:16
I'm following this thread with interest as I am becoming dissatisfied with my Mark Levinson 390s CD player.
Can I ask the reason why you are looking to change yours, and what is your budget for its replacement?
Thanks
Hi Barry, I'm having this conversation across two threads so sorry all.
As posted, I LOVE my 390 but the right hand channel's died. It's with Deco Audio for diagnosis.
I bought it used and had more than my money's worth so can't complain. If it's not cost effective to repair I'm open to suggestions to replace but it'll take some beating. Budget will be whatever makes sense at the time I'm forced into a decision, and as us hifi loonies know, that's a moveable feast :mental:
The 500 series ran from mid-nineties to early 2000s from recollection. The G series early to mid 2000s to around 2010. The 800 series up until about last year.
Stranraer
07-08-2023, 11:53
The 500 series ran from mid-nineties to early 2000s from recollection. The G series early to mid 2000s to around 2010. The 800 series up until about last year.
Many thanks for the clarification. I'm not brave enough to buy something as old as my 390,but I'll check out the 800 ta.
allthingsanalogue
07-08-2023, 18:59
I’ve just purchased a Simaudio MOON 260DT Transport to pair with my Bryston BDA-2 Dac. It replaces a Melco
N100 playing 'ripped' cd's and it’s easily the best digital source I’ve ever owned.
I’d be tempted to try and fix the the ML390 though even if it means getting a clone laser mechanism
https://i.imgur.com/I62rzYJ.jpg
Stranraer
10-08-2023, 14:12
Yep. I've not given up on the Levinson, the issue's around the DAC I think and a chip needs sourcing as a start point.
I'm browsing alternatives still though, and now thinking about maybe a Benchmark DAC3 based purely on reviews and forums.
Still no idea whether this running the Audiolab 6000 gets me to 390 quality.
Yep. I've not given up on the Levinson, the issue's around the DAC I think and a chip needs sourcing as a start point.
I'm browsing alternatives still though, and now thinking about maybe a Benchmark DAC3 based purely on reviews and forums.
Still no idea whether this running the Audiolab 6000 gets me to 390 quality.
what's 'quality' though? It's a transport, it's just sending out digital data. You'd be hard pressed to find a dedicated CD transport that couldn't do that perfectly.
@Macca,
I’m sure you are absolutely right in CDT terms, but I always feel more reassured if the transport is hefty enough to break my foot if dropped on it.
I have one of those little Sony Blu-Ray units temporarily plugged directly into the DAC inside a pair of Meridian DSP7000s and a very fine sound they make, too. But they feel so flimsy, and the mechanism is noisy (probably the bigger units damp the mechanical sound better).
Not entirely unscientific but…:)
Peter
AJSki2fly
11-08-2023, 08:29
Yep. I've not given up on the Levinson, the issue's around the DAC I think and a chip needs sourcing as a start point.
I'm browsing alternatives still though, and now thinking about maybe a Benchmark DAC3 based purely on reviews and forums.
Still no idea whether this running the Audiolab 6000 gets me to 390 quality.
You could consider this for an all in one box solution, not sure if it fits your budget though. they are rare and don't come up for sale often.
I have one and it produces some excellent musical renditions from CD and from a SACD it is just sublime(although some would argue SACD makes no difference). I also listen to a lot of vinyl but a good CD on the SA Pearl is right up there in terms of SQ. It is built like a tank and solid as a rock.
https://elektro.bazos.sk/inzerat/152865910/predam-sacdcd-prehravac-marantz-reference-sa-ki-pearl.php makes sure the seller has the remote control for if you consider it. EU1400 is about £1200 which is a reasonable price for one of these. I paid slightly less for mine but from a best friend.
I also use the internal DAC of the Pearl to in conjunction with a simple streaming solution RPI/HiFiBerry Digi+(modded) running Volumio with Qobuz, this produces very good results as well, as long as the digital streamed file is good, or the file of my NAS is CD quality or above.
@Macca,
I’m sure you are absolutely right in CDT terms, but I always feel more reassured if the transport is hefty enough to break my foot if dropped on it.
I have one of those little Sony Blu-Ray units temporarily plugged directly into the DAC inside a pair of Meridian DSP7000s and a very fine sound they make, too. But they feel so flimsy, and the mechanism is noisy (probably the bigger units damp the mechanical sound better).
Not entirely unscientific but…:)
Peter
Those are perfectly good reasons for wanting a fancy transport. It's why I've bought that TEAC. I'm not expecting it to offer some revolution in SQ over the Audiolab, there's no reason why it would.
what's 'quality' though? It's a transport, it's just sending out digital data. You'd be hard pressed to find a dedicated CD transport that couldn't do that perfectly.
Then why would we hear a difference between a Project RS box, CEC and Audio Note transports?
Then why would we hear a difference between a Project RS box, CEC and Audio Note transports?
It's possible to screw up digital data transmission but even then you've got the question as to whether its screwed up badly enough to be audible with music.
I hear a very small difference between my Oppo acting as a transport and my Audiolab transport but I think the most likely explanation is that it's in my mind.
Since I'm not going to go to the effort of a controlled (blind) comparison, or have them tested, I don't worry about it. It's not enough of a difference to matter to me in any case.
ianlenco
15-08-2023, 18:25
Have you thought about streaming? I moved away from a decent CD player a few years ago and would never go back. A monthly subscription to a service like Qobus gives you access to a huge amount of music for the price of one CD purchase a month. I have loads of CD's that I bought on the strength of one track only to find out the rest of the album was pretty weak. Auralic is one quality maker of DAC/streamers, there are others, and has a great interface for accessing music, making a list of favourites and playlists, reading artist biographies etc etc. Oh, and if you have CDs that are not listed on streaming services you can always rip them and stick them on a stick or hard disc.
With your budget I would say it is well worth considering.
Have you thought about streaming? I moved away from a decent CD player a few years ago and would never go back. A monthly subscription to a service like Qobus gives you access to a huge amount of music for the price of one CD purchase a month. I have loads of CD's that I bought on the strength of one track only to find out the rest of the album was pretty weak. Auralic is one quality maker of DAC/streamers, there are others, and has a great interface for accessing music, making a list of favourites and playlists, reading artist biographies etc etc. Oh, and if you have CDs that are not listed on streaming services you can always rip them and stick them on a stick or hard disc.
With your budget I would say it is well worth considering.
Before doing that, as the OP has a dac, he could experiment and just load the free Daphile streaming software onto just about any spare computer down to a £30 thin client like the Wyse DX0D and stream the output into a decent dac. It is based on the well-established Logitech Media Server platform and it supports DSD, can host Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify etc, has internet radio (including BBC Sounds) and it has cd ripping and tagging capability (either from the onboard dvd rom or with a usb add-on). It took me thirty minutes to load and configure. (It needs to be controlled from another computer or smartphone.)
Even easier to set up is the free and seriously excellent Hysolid software. Put in onto a spare pc as a top quality music player with an IOS control app, but it doesn’t stream iirc, so needs to be fed directly into a dac.
Peter
Have you thought about streaming? I moved away from a decent CD player a few years ago and would never go back. A monthly subscription to a service like Qobus gives you access to a huge amount of music for the price of one CD purchase a month. I have loads of CD's that I bought on the strength of one track only to find out the rest of the album was pretty weak. Auralic is one quality maker of DAC/streamers, there are others, and has a great interface for accessing music, making a list of favourites and playlists, reading artist biographies etc etc. Oh, and if you have CDs that are not listed on streaming services you can always rip them and stick them on a stick or hard disc.
With your budget I would say it is well worth considering.
I am 100% behind that consideration, I sold my tt, vinyl collection and cdp, no regrets and now have a Lumin U2 Mini and Eversolo DMP-A6. All our cd's were ripped and now reside in an SSD which can be played through both machines, the rest of the music we listen to comes from Qobuz. Ok, there might be an odd album we can't get, but I'm sure if I looked hard enough I'd be able to download it or get someone to rip it for me.
It's possible to screw up digital data transmission but even then you've got the question as to whether its screwed up badly enough to be audible with music.
I hear a very small difference between my Oppo acting as a transport and my Audiolab transport but I think the most likely explanation is that it's in my mind.
Since I'm not going to go to the effort of a controlled (blind) comparison, or have them tested, I don't worry about it. It's not enough of a difference to matter to me in any case.
There was never night and day differences, we chose the Project (the cheapest and possibly the worse sounding of the three) simply because it was to be used as a 2nd source and back-up. If it was to be our main source I'm sure we would have gone with the CEC, which was the middle ground price wise, but at a not inconsiderable £1500 more and this is going back at least 10yrs.
New Hegel CD player would be my choice.
New Hegel CD player would be my choice.
The Viking? Slot loading and IMO it's ugly-looking. https://www.hegel.com/en/products/cd/viking
£4.5K!
Stranraer
16-08-2023, 20:20
I hear a very small difference between my Oppo acting as a transport and my Audiolab transport Coincidentally I have the Oppo 103, direct into the Croft Pre, and Audiolab 6000 through the Soncoz into the Croft Pre and find the Oppo's separation and soundstage genuinely massive compared to the 'Lab, with imaging way outside of the width of the speakers.
Stranraer
16-08-2023, 20:25
Many thanks for all the suggestions so far. It's a bit frustrating not knowing how the Levinson will work out as yet as I saw an end of line Hegel player at the perfect price last week and it looks a lovely piece of kit.
I guess at some point we'll all end up just streaming, so the heads up on downloading a free option was much appreciated but with the number of discs owned, plus a love of browsing record shops, I can see myself using a player for a good few years to come.
Coincidentally I have the Oppo 103, direct into the Croft Pre, and Audiolab 6000 through the Soncoz into the Croft Pre and find the Oppo's separation and soundstage genuinely massive compared to the 'Lab, with imaging way outside of the width of the speakers.
I noticed some years back that my perception of soundstage on a particular album (Sinatra At The Sands) varied quite noticeably from session to session.
Concluded that the variable was me. So I don't fret that soundstage stuff anymore. As long as it doesn't seem like the sound is coming directly from the speakers then I'm happy.
Stranraer
16-08-2023, 22:44
Just as long as you give a full report on the Teac. I honestly think I'm more excited than you are about this.
:popcorn:
Just as long as you give a full report on the Teac. I honestly think I'm more excited than you are about this.
:popcorn:
not heard anything more about it so I guess they haven't even come into stock yet.
They said they would let me know when it was shipping. I'm sort of resigned to a long wait.
Stranraer
18-08-2023, 09:23
I made enquiries earlier in the week and fairly sure Audio Affair told me they could ship one overnight, 30 day return if not satisfied.
I made enquiries earlier in the week and fairly sure Audio Affair told me they could ship one overnight, 30 day return if not satisfied.
Maybe I will get it tomorrow then? The bloke at AA did say they'd send me an e-mail when it was shipping though.
Anyway will do a full assessment and report when it eventually gets here.
Stranraer
18-08-2023, 20:09
So this weekend's started well. No promises, but it looks like my 390 might have a few more tunes in it yet.
Operation booked.
If anyone's got a hotline to The Big Man then thoughts, prayers and sacrifices appreciated.
In Elvis We Trust.
:king:
The Viking? Slot loading and IMO it's ugly-looking. https://www.hegel.com/en/products/cd/viking
£4.5K!
Would be my choice tho.
Would be my choice tho.
You don't find slot loading irritating? I didn't think I would when I bought the Audiolab, but after a couple of years with it, I find it quite annoying.
Obviously appearance is down to personal taste. I could not find any transport, other than the Teac, which looked acceptable to me. Regardless of price. They just aren't that many companies designing equipment for people like me any more. I prefer equipment that would not look out of place in a studio, most modern high end it is designed so that it would not look out of place on a Russian oligarch's yacht.
No way would I spend serious money on something I didn't like the look of. I'm not keen on how the Audiolab looks but it was cheap enough that it didn't matter much.
I'm inclined to agree with Martin - most of my system looks like it looks like it has come from a recording studio, even to the extent it has 19" rack-mount fittings.
The only items that in anyway look domestic are the speakers
I do try to avoid buying anything that is made in China.
Hey Martin
Actually quite liked the slot loader in my Audiolab?
More chances of discs getting scratched if the unit was a Friday afternoon job, luckily it wasnt. :)
I love the look of your Teac, particularly in black, where the LED colour really is set off in an old school Teac style.
Love the Hegel "brutal" aesthetic,
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgald44uTSMsY6VZz9fckumfzv0r_bigMSQec-ZvSl8OOVlNkVuvEY6DKJnDMTxxMBFcNCxZPgmCWPCRPie48ma5 dSgQqhoymgiLyhGUbolJysDgBJgzA8BcTF6LqxqoOhOqhF7szr qENJJ7_RusIgiwVGRmaWyyj5RFaKTgNJuovwURTTHud3KL1L9S iPx/s1200/IMG_6137.png
but if going for THAT look, dont think anything comes close to old school Wadia?
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Wadia-7-Screen-shot-2012-10-04-at-09.06.45_550pix.jpg
You don't find slot loading irritating? I didn't think I would when I bought the Audiolab, but after a couple of years with it, I find it quite annoying.
Obviously appearance is down to personal taste. I could not find any transport, other than the Teac, which looked acceptable to me. Regardless of price. They just aren't that many companies designing equipment for people like me any more. I prefer equipment that would not look out of place in a studio, most modern high end it is designed so that it would not look out of place on a Russian oligarch's yacht.
No way would I spend serious money on something I didn't like the look of. I'm not keen on how the Audiolab looks but it was cheap enough that it didn't matter much.
That Hegel is just too bland looking for me. So much expensive kit looks like that now. I don't get it.
Wadia - now I have always had a soft spot for their older stuff because it's a bit bonkers.
Rush2112
19-08-2023, 15:03
I've had a number of CD combo's over the years. Arcam, Meridian, Pink Triangle plus some mix and match options including Marantz CDA 94DAC, Cullen modified PS Audio Digital Link III DAC etc,.
By far my current combo of Lyngdorf CD1 as transport running at 192 upsampling into a Wadia 321 Decoding Computer or "DAC" to most of us, is the best so far ! The sound of this combo is way above the sum of the parts and stands up against the likes of the PS Audio Perfect Wave/Direct Stream. However, as a single box second hand option try the Audio Research players the CD7 was a player I really liked and lived with for awhile after the demise of my three box Pink Triangle [emoji832]️ combo.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230819/1e648b88bb9791ed96c571228337c0a6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230819/441a0d18d511103b076abdbf343efd54.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230819/5eaa377177d2de32bfd4a6d9244ac440.jpg
I've had a number of CD combo's over the years. Arcam, Meridian, Pink Triangle plus some mix and match options including Marantz CDA 94DAC, Cullen modified PS Audio Digital Link III DAC etc,.
By far my current combo of Lyngdorf CD1 as transport running at 192 upsampling into a Wadia 321 Decoding Computer or "DAC" to most of us, is the best so far ! The sound of this combo is way above the sum of the parts and stands up against the likes of the PS Audio Perfect Wave/Direct Stream. However, as a single box second hand option try the Audio Research players the CD7 was a player I really liked and lived with for awhile after the demise of my three box Pink Triangle [emoji832]️ combo.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230819/1e648b88bb9791ed96c571228337c0a6.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230819/441a0d18d511103b076abdbf343efd54.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230819/5eaa377177d2de32bfd4a6d9244ac440.jpg
some quite left-field choices there.
I've had around 20 or so CD players over the years, never found cost to be related to sound except one of the most expensive I bought was actually the poorest performer.
Cost does tend to relate to build quality and how pleasant the unit is to use, I have a Sony X555ES that is just wonderful to use but needs recalibrating so will probably never get resurrected.
I don't buy into the idea that there's any benefit to higher sampling frequencies or bit rates beyond 16/44.1 so I don't bother with that - I'm sure it's coincidental that the worst sounding player I owned unsampled to 384Khz.
For a long time I used a Pioneer DVD565A as my main source, this surprised a few people who listened first before inspecting the kit ('This! This is what we've been listening to?')
High price DACs I view as totally pointless from an SQ point of view, at best they can sound different. The PS Audio you mention, for example, has very high levels of noise such that it can only manage 13 bits of dynamic range, about the same as best-case from vinyl.
It doesn't sound bad though, maybe just a bit different. 16 bits was always overkill for real-world use anyway. But would I pay £5K for that when notionally perfect digital to analogue conversion can be had for under £200? No, that's not for me. I don't interreact with the DAC, it just sits there, I don't even have to touch it. Plus I like the looks of the one I have anyway.
So yeah colour me sceptical.
a lot of those units look awesome, but im not sure they will improve of file based music through same dac.
a lot of those units look awesome, but im not sure they will improve of file based music through same dac.
Agree they won't but I don't want to do streaming or file-based, I prefer a physical collection and interaction with a quality unit rather than clicking a mouse or hammering on those touch screens.
Rush2112
19-08-2023, 17:47
some quite left-field choices there.
I've had around 20 or so CD players over the years, never found cost to be related to sound except one of the most expensive I bought was actually the poorest performer.
Cost does tend to relate to build quality and how pleasant the unit is to use, I have a Sony X555ES that is just wonderful to use but needs recalibrating so will probably never get resurrected.
I don't buy into the idea that there's any benefit to higher sampling frequencies or bit rates beyond 16/44.1 so I don't bother with that - I'm sure it's coincidental that the worst sounding player I owned unsampled to 384Khz.
For a long time I used a Pioneer DVD565A as my main source, this surprised a few people who listened first before inspecting the kit ('This! This is what we've been listening to?')
High price DACs I view as totally pointless from an SQ point of view, at best they can sound different. The PS Audio you mention, for example, has very high levels of noise such that it can only manage 13 bits of dynamic range, about the same as best-case from vinyl.
It doesn't sound bad though, maybe just a bit different. 16 bits was always overkill for real-world use anyway. But would I pay £5K for that when notionally perfect digital to analogue conversion can be had for under £200? No, that's not for me. I don't interreact with the DAC, it just sits there, I don't even have to touch it. Plus I like the looks of the one I have anyway.
So yeah colour me sceptical.
Hmm. I didn't buy the PS Audio for the reason, that despite the option to add streaming and the upgeadeability of the decoding software, the sound quality at the price didn't bowl me over to the extent I expected.
For me with a collection(compiled over many years!) of several thousand cd's and over a thousand lp's the idea of a lap top or file streaming just totally misses the point !
There are some truly excellent pre-owned high end options out there so give them a listen and let your ears decide.
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Hmm. I didn't buy the PS Audio for the reason, that despite the option to add streaming and the upgeadeability of the decoding software, the sound quality at the price didn't bowl me over to the extent I expected.
For me with a collection(compiled over many years!) of several thousand cd's and over a thousand lp's the idea of a lap top or file streaming just totally misses the point !
There are some truly excellent pre-owned high end options out there so give them a listen and let your ears decide.
Like I said owned and still do own some fairly high end vintage machines (no old DACs though but I was there first time around, this is the second coming of the stand-alone DAC)
Agree about streaming I have zero interest in it. But not because it sounds any different to CD since it doesn't or at least shouldn't given the same mastering.
I like to choose my mastering, usually not an option with a streaming service and copying my CDs onto a computer seems like a pointless and tedious exercise.
Pigmy Pony
19-08-2023, 23:11
For a long time I used a Pioneer DVD565A as my main source, this surprised a few people who listened first before inspecting the kit ('This! This is what we've been listening to?')
For a few years a TEAC DVD player was my CD playing source. I did at the time wonder whether I should be giving my TV's DVD player CD duties, but there was no denying that SQ-wise I never felt short-changed.
I've used a Sony DVD player to play CDs in the past, and are thinking of trying it again, this time with an external DAC.
I've used a Sony DVD player to play CDs in the past, and are thinking of trying it again, this time with an external DAC.
It’s absolutely fine. I’ve been using a tiny Sony Blu-ray thing direct into the DAC in my Meridian actives and it’s fantastic. Indeed, I think Meridian has routinely used DVD-ROM drives in its players for years to be able to pre-read and buffer data thereby reducing jitter. Or something. Anyway, they sound excellent.
IIRC Meridian said they use (or used, I don't think they make any optical disc kit anymore) DVD drives to keep cost down since they were no different in performance to the fancy ones. Seems pretty reasonable.
All CD players have a buffer so that wasn't it.
IIRC Meridian said they use (or used, I don't think they make any optical disc kit anymore) DVD drives to keep cost down since they were no different in performance to the fancy ones. Seems pretty reasonable.
All CD players have a buffer so that wasn't it.
You might be right and it was a cost-saving measure, although I hope not when you think about how much Meridian kit costs.
Yes, they do all buffer but the extent of the buffering is the issue, I believe. It might be a bit of Bob Stuart film-flam but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard him cite the ability of DVD-ROMs to allow Meridian players to perform multiple reads and FIFO triple-buffering, so that on-the-fly error correction happens well in advance of when the data stream is required.
But it was a while ago, and I’m no engineer.
You might be right and it was a cost-saving measure, although I hope not when you think about how much Meridian kit costs.
Yes, they do all buffer but the extent of the buffering is the issue, I believe. It might be a bit of Bob Stuart film-flam but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard him cite the ability of DVD-ROMs to allow Meridian players to perform multiple reads and FIFO triple-buffering, so that on-the-fly error correction happens well in advance of when the data stream is required.
But it was a while ago, and I’m no engineer.
I seem to remember an interview where the question was asked and answered but we're talking 20 years ago at least.
I seem to remember an interview where the question was asked and answered but we're talking 20 years ago at least.
Yup, and in that time I don’t think the quality of optical readers has improved by much, if at all, but the improvement in the quality of the digital processing is astonishing as is the quality and ease of use of the interfaces these days.
That said, I still most prefer listening to my elderly Scot Dixon UFO valve usb!
P
like most things hi-fi it's not so much the technology it's the implementation.
I noticed ASR measures a Cayin CD player recently with a schoolboy error on its digital output introducing distortion.
Probably not audible but shows transports can differ, not because they have fancy drives but because someone cocked up the design or did not really know what they were doing.
Not an expensive unit and if you buy an expensive one you'd like to think a bit more attention had been paid but it's not a cast iron guarantee.
Have to fall back on the old 'If it sounds good then that's what matters.'
toetapaudio
28-09-2023, 19:14
OP, have you considered getting the ML repaired? Let me know if you need a contact.
Out of the current cd players/transports I can suggest the Urd and Shanling ET3 (both with USB output) or one of the Jay’s. Project RS2T gets good reviews but seems to have some reliability issues.
Lampizator type mods to a vintage CD player is also worth considering.
Stranraer
05-10-2023, 12:21
[QUOTE=toetapaudio;1359426]OP, have you considered getting the ML repaired?
With thanks for the offer, it's currently with a repairer who's been sourcing parts and it's due back home in a couple of weeks which feels like a million years right now.
I've been slumming it with the Audiolab 6000 / Soncoz SDG1 most of this year which in reality has been performing perfectly well, so it's gonna be very interesting to see if my 16ish year old 390's significantly better.
Stranraer
09-10-2023, 20:21
If anyone tries to tell you that prayers and sacrifices are a waste of time, they're demonstrably wrong.
The 390 LIVES !!
With thanks to the efforts of Deco Audio we're back up n running and it sounds better than ever, so I'm grateful for all your suggestions but replacements are very much on the backburner.
In Elvis we trust.
Good result.
+1.
I’ve just had a 1990s Meridian 500 that was failing to read repaired and serviced by MrTechGuy and all is good again.
Nice to hear old gear coming back to life. I always feel it is such a waste when great quality products are often scrapped because of maybe one small component.
Those guys down at Deco Audio seem to be very good and I have been recommended to use them if anything goes astray with my Croft gear.
Stranraer
10-10-2023, 10:54
Those guys down at Deco Audio seem to be very good and I have been recommended to use them if anything goes astray with my Croft gear.
I've had quite a time of it over the last 18 months with both my Levinson and Croft pre-amp failing. I was paranoid about having anyone but Glenn work on the pre but clearly that wasn't possible and it was his compadre Tony who recommended Deco.
Great guys, great service, and no-one's buying a Ferrari from the money they invoiced. I have no hesitation in suggesting them to others, and it's hard to imagine two more different challenges than Croft and Levinson.
David,
Can you forward the contact details for Deco Audio please?
I may have need of their services.
Thanks
I've had quite a time of it over the last 18 months with both my Levinson and Croft pre-amp failing. I was paranoid about having anyone but Glenn work on the pre but clearly that wasn't possible and it was his compadre Tony who recommended Deco.
Great guys, great service, and no-one's buying a Ferrari from the money they invoiced. I have no hesitation in suggesting them to others, and it's hard to imagine two more different challenges than Croft and Levinson.
Haha Croft and Levinson, two different continents and worlds apart in the hifi universe apart from the fact they both sound great!
I was recommended to use Deco Audio by another Croft dealer so good to have general consensus they will do a good job at a reasonable price. Considering the amount of Croft gear sold over the past 30 years they maybe busy?
Stranraer
10-10-2023, 13:23
[QUOTE=Barry;1360301 Can you forward the contact details for Deco Audio please?[/QUOTE]
Deco Audio, Aylesbury 01296 422 224. Info@decoaudio.com
James is the engineer, Peter is, I think, the owner.
Good luck.
Stranraer
10-10-2023, 13:28
Considering the amount of Croft gear sold over the past 30 years they maybe busy?
The Croft was turned around in a few weeks. The Levinson a little longer as James had to chase around various suppliers for parts and eventually sourced from USA.
I forgot to add that previously, two other audio repairers had tried and failed to diagnose the Levinson.
Rush2112
19-10-2023, 07:48
Great to hear your very positive experiences with Deco Audio.
I have just contacted them regarding servicing my Krell FPB 200c power amplifier.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231019/ce6a4de36e975bbf02978a5de66e477c.jpg
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Stranraer
22-10-2023, 20:09
I'm following this thread with interest as I am becoming dissatisfied with my Mark Levinson 390s CD player.
Hi Barry. As Samuel Johnson famously said, When a man becomes dissatisfied with his Mark Levinson 390S CD Player he is dissatisfied of life.
While in for repair, James at Deco suggested renewing the capacitors in mine and I've been caning it for three weeks since. The results are spectacular. The top end has a real sparkle to it which I'm sure wasn't there before and I'm listening to a song I know like the back of my hand and I'm hearing three distinct guitar tracks where I thought there was a heavily distorted one.
Might be worth you giving him a shout ?
why no look for vintage Philips cd 104 or 304? hard to find better players those days even if you spend 10k£
Lawrence001
31-10-2023, 11:35
Whoa that's a bold statement!
Agreed! I had a 104B, with which I was quite happy. IMO it was the first player that I could live with.
However owing to the compact dimensions and poor heatsinking, the solder joints could and would fail. Again owing to high component density, re-touching the solder joints was laborious and time consuming, and did not guaranteed a cure.
Eventually I had enough and replaced the Philips with a Sony player (which I still have as a "backup").
Whoa that's a bold statement!
It is, but it's not without merit.
hifinutt
03-11-2023, 15:52
elite audio have a superb luxman Do03x at 2180 quid with 12 months warrenty superb
and of course accudazed on here has his beatiful accuphase cd player
i am in the market for cd players
so far the audio analogue AA drive cd transport , the bryston or the moon 260dt or the luxman mentioned
elite audio have a superb luxman Do03x at 2180 quid with 12 months warrenty superb
and of course accudazed on here has his beatiful accuphase cd player
i am in the market for cd players
so far the audio analogue AA drive cd transport , the bryston or the moon 260dt or the luxman mentioned
can't go wrong with Luxman or Accuphase. Consistently top notch in every respect.
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