p.robustini
Active Member
Hello everybody!
I am thinking about upgrading the digital section of my system.
As of now it is made of a Pioneer PD S603 used as transport (optical out) and a Schiit Modius Dac, which I also use for streaming Tidal from a computer. The amp is a Unison Research Unico and the speaker as are TDL Studio 0.5.
I needed a new reader and being on a budget, I spent 100 euros for the Pioneer as I thought its Stable Platter mechanism (discs are inserted facing up) wasn’t at least a usual reading system. And the modern Modius had excellent reviews and was cheap enough in the used market.
It’s not that I’m not satisfied, but I feel my system would deserve better.
I could think of a better Dac (or could I?) or a better (modern) integrated CD player.
I’m evaluating I could spend 600 euros max. By heart I would go for a matching Unison Research Unico CD but it’s not easy to find one under 600 quid.
I had always dreamed of a Meridian CD when I assembled the system in the 90s and I see the 506.20 or the 506.24 are more easily found at that price.
I also thought about vintage Pioneer players like the Reference series of the 90s (PD 8500 or PD 73) but I thought the could not be on par with Unison or Meridian…
I actually don’t know which is the best, both had great reviews, but it’s 2025. Are they still relevant?
Some would argue a computer hooked to a Dac is better than any CD player, so I could be satisfied as I am now.
But I am a bit old school (still prefer analog and physical media) and I would like a good CD player in my system.
So here I am asking if anybody had any experience with the two I’m considering (or with both!).
Thanks to anyone who would participate.
I am thinking about upgrading the digital section of my system.
As of now it is made of a Pioneer PD S603 used as transport (optical out) and a Schiit Modius Dac, which I also use for streaming Tidal from a computer. The amp is a Unison Research Unico and the speaker as are TDL Studio 0.5.
I needed a new reader and being on a budget, I spent 100 euros for the Pioneer as I thought its Stable Platter mechanism (discs are inserted facing up) wasn’t at least a usual reading system. And the modern Modius had excellent reviews and was cheap enough in the used market.
It’s not that I’m not satisfied, but I feel my system would deserve better.
I could think of a better Dac (or could I?) or a better (modern) integrated CD player.
I’m evaluating I could spend 600 euros max. By heart I would go for a matching Unison Research Unico CD but it’s not easy to find one under 600 quid.
I had always dreamed of a Meridian CD when I assembled the system in the 90s and I see the 506.20 or the 506.24 are more easily found at that price.
I also thought about vintage Pioneer players like the Reference series of the 90s (PD 8500 or PD 73) but I thought the could not be on par with Unison or Meridian…
I actually don’t know which is the best, both had great reviews, but it’s 2025. Are they still relevant?
Some would argue a computer hooked to a Dac is better than any CD player, so I could be satisfied as I am now.
But I am a bit old school (still prefer analog and physical media) and I would like a good CD player in my system.
So here I am asking if anybody had any experience with the two I’m considering (or with both!).
Thanks to anyone who would participate.
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