2016 Editors’ Chioce Awards: Disc Players $2,000 – $10,000

Modwright-Oppo BDP-105
$2495 (with Modwright Truth modifications only)
Modwright offers a superior modification to Oppo’s highly regarded universal player, the BDP-105, replacing the stock analog stage with an incredible tube design and external power supply that elevate the Oppo’s performance dramatically. The build-quality is exemplary, and the sonics exceptional. It is the first digital player JH has had in his listening room that didn’t make him want to immediately return to his analog rig—and that’s because the Modwright sounds so much like analog in many respects, without giving up the bass extension and control, clarity, fine detail resolution, and convenience that can make digital so attractive. 

Exposure 3010S2
$2595
A highly articulate CD player, Exposure’s 3010S possesses impressive breadth and depth, and good air and detail. Initially hard-sounding, after run-in the Exposure rewards with a musically natural presentation capable of bloom, complex harmonics, excellent rhythmic pace, and deep authoritative bass that’s always easy and effortless sounding. 

PrimaLuna ProLogue 8/Classic
$2999
An amazing value! Unique tube-based clock. At its best, with the board upgrade, the Eight closes in on even the most expensive competition. It’s blessed with plenty of boogie factor, superb clarity, sensuous mids, and lovely harmonic bloom. Its soundstage is wonderfully transparent. Out of the box, upper octaves are a bit grainy and bright. Tube dampers help significantly, as do vintage preamp tubes. 

Moon by Simaudio Neo 260D
$3000 ($2000, transport only)
The Moon Neo 260D continues a tradition of fine CD players from Canada’s Simaudio. However, unless you are a CD-only loyalist, you really need to consider the flexibility of adding Simaudio’s optional high-resolution DAC section to the 260D. With a 32-bit asynchronous converter and four rear-panel digital inputs (dual SPDIF, a TosLink, and a USB), this optional DAC effectively opens up a whole new world of digital connectivity. Standard CD playback, though expectedly excellent, pales next to the level of refinement that the DAC brings to the table on high-resolution material—an added complexity of soundstage dimensionality that almost seemed to re-inflate the stage. 

Marantz Reference Series SA-11S3
$3999
Marantz products almost always stand out from their competitors for a very musical sound that is notably free from harshness, glare, or abrasiveness. Such is the case with the SA-11S3. The tonal balance is neutral, which means that nothing calls attention to itself up and down the spectrum. It has state-of-the-art control and resolution, yet also an elusive naturalness and musicality that banish all memories of the digital sound of yore. On SACD sources especially, the SA-11S3 is one of the best PS has heard. 

Aesthetix Romulus
$7000–$8000
Another home run for Aesthetix, the tubed Romulus combines a disc player and DAC (USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF inputs) in a highly functional and great-sounding component. The additional $1000 from the base price buys you an innovative volume control that allows you to drive a power amplifier directly. The build- and parts-quality are first-rate. Sonically, the Romulus offers an exceptionally natural sound with a great sense of ease and an expansive soundstage. 

Ayon Audio CD-3sx CD-player/DAC/Preamplifier
$8100
The Class A vacuum-tube-based CD-3sx has the capability to serve as a CD player, a multi-input PCM/DSD DAC, and an analog input preamplifier, all in one package. Having this much capability enables the CD-3sx to be the featured component in a minimalist arrangement, while in a more elaborate setup the CD-3sx can serve the traditional role of CD-player/DAC. The CD-3sx produces an all-inclusive experience with the music without pushing too much detail that can—at times—distract the listener’s connection to the performance. Covering nearly every digital format (with the exception of the physical SACD), this playback device will nestle down comfortably in nearly any stereo system and perform at a high level. 

MBL C31
$9200
In today’s computer-driven marketplace the C31 CD player can just as reasonably be considered a “DAC with transport.” Either way, its performance is uncompromising. With Red Book discs the slot-drive transport gets a slight nod for its more intimate and lush perspective; however, with 24-bit/96kHz material the asynchronous USB wins hands down. A jewel of a player.