System edited: I have sold my ARC Ref CD-7 CD player. I was listening to the player for the last time, before puting it back into the box on its way to the new owner in France, and still couldn't stop wondering, how good it sounds. Fabulous stuff. I think this is the best compliment you can make to a component on the day of sale.
Right now I have a dCS Puccini CDP on loan, together with the dedicated dCS U-Clock. It sounds really good - so far it is the best single box CDP I have heard.
Next week I should have the new ARC Ref CD-8, so we will see how it compares to the dCS. Before the CD-8 runs in, I will also try the new McIntosh MCD-500, equipped with the new ESS Sabre8 Reference DAC chipset.
So pls stay tuned.
Gerrym5 - thank you for your compliments. I have been also following your thread with great interest.