Please help me find a cd partner for an Arcam Diva A85

I know the obvious thing would be to buy an Arcam cdp, but the good ones are fairly pricey, and I wondered what alternatives you might advise me to audition.

Would there be any synergy for Baroque and Classical music with any of the following:

Cyrus 8
Marantz 7300 or 17
Nad 542
Roksan Kandy
Musical Fidelity X ray
Creek CD50 mk2
Rotel 1072

At present I'm using an old Denon cdp, and I suppose any of the above would be an improvement. I want to hear some detail, but not enough to make my ears bleed. I'd appreciate your input.

 

well done cos a85 is a great amp design. can't say that about all arcams.
similar scenario with the cd players where the cd73 and cd192 models are the ones that can carry a tune.
if it's not arcam then buy a naim cd5i as this is easily the most musical player in your price range.

 

arcam

My system is as follows....Arcam CD93T, A85 / P85 PMC TB2S+, I have seen some of the better Arcam CD's going for a good price in the secondhand market, and would thoroughly recommend them, though the naim is said to be good, I have never heard it myself.

aquapiranha

 

Yep - the older Arcam Alpha 9 and FMJ CD23 which both use the dCS Ring DAC are excellent and can be had s/h for not much money these days. Many people rate them a lot better than the current crop of Arcam players, the top of the range CD33 included.

Michael.