W27, I'm not surprised that you didn't much (if any) difference. Once you get to a certain quality level, most CD players will sound about the same. If there are any differences, they will show up via the DACs and the analog output stage. This is why I consider it foolish to spend exorbitant money (> $1,000) on a CD player. Players such as the Oppo 95 are about as good as anyone ever needs for CD playback. And their real benefit lies in being able to playback DVD and BRD music files which support higher bit rates and a much broader fequency response range.
CD is a limited medium. It is limited because it only supports 16 bit, 44.1KHz playback. If you have a player like the Oppo, you can then realize better sound quality by playing back DVDs and BRDs which support up to 24 bits and 192 KHz output. The biggest difference is found in the extra 8 bits (24 vs 16) that DVD/BRD support. It allows for much greater dynamic range and can capture the "sizzle" of a high-hat, the instant attack of a cymbal or triangle being struck, a singer's voice as she inhales prior to singing, the slam of a bass drum or piano key being struck, etc.
Rather, I'm sure the Ayre is a very fine CD player, but your observation of its sound quality is basically flawed. You heard the Ayre in a foreign system, one with which you have no prior experience. Any number of elements of that system could have been responsible for the glorious sound you heard. To ascribe it to the Ayre alone is not accurate.
If you had substituted one of your CD players for the Ayre and then made your observation, it would have more validity. And this doesn't mean physically swapping one player for another. You would have to do a direct, real-time switch from one to the other. Audio memory is *very* fleeting, and even a few seconds time between switching players is too long.
EssHeil, could you *please* insert some paragraph breaks in your posts? They are virtually un-readable without them. And I must admit that your posts look very much like another member's whom I don't believe is with us anymore - GerbilAudio. You don't happen to have a bunch of Dakiom Stabilizers in your systems, do you?
Long story, short: If you want a top-quality CD player that will also allow you to play every shiny disc available today, buy the Oppo 95. But you must use its analog outputs to gain the benefit of its superior DACs and output stage. If you use HDMI as your playback "pipe", go with the Oppo 93, it will sound virtually identical t the 95 via this connection...
Best Wishes,
NO i don't know who you're talking about? I do not own dakioms and I do not know who that gerbilaudio dude is? I just read about the questionable dakioms that's why I mentioned it. I do however own bybees, and several german tweaks.
I only mentioned those controversial dakioms because in 2005 I read a review about some of their products, but I think that guy is a quack and a snake oil dude. I am neutral when it comes to manufacturers
I'm a member of audiogon and I'm pretty much mentioning TWEAKS listed on audigon. I use pro gear on some of my equipment such as dbx, behringer and bbe.
-RW-