General Asylum: REVIEW: Parasound CDP 2000 ULTRA CD Player/Recorder by Wes Y. Keller

I was first looking at an Ultech or Denon 1650AR when I wanted to upgrade my CD from an ES. Unfortunately for Ultech, the PH#'s and the email address on their web page weren't working(www.ultech.com). So I gave up on them. I was about to just go and get the Arcam 9 when I came accross a review in Absolute Sound about the Parasound by Robert Harley.

First let me give a snippet of Robert Harley's review on the Arcam from "FI" Magazine:

"I would have recommended the Arcam Alpha 9 for it's sound quality had it cost $3000."

In Robert Harley's review in the last issue of Absolute Sound:

"Even the astounding Arcam Alpha 9 was bested by the Parasound in most areas...[Parasound's]build quality is vastly better than that of similarly priced machines. Whatever the economics, this player's refinement, liquidity, resolution and sounstaging were all far better than other players in this price range."

These words got my attention. So, I went out and bought it from Audio Advisor for $1199 during their Parasound sale. I will fully admit that I haven't auditioned many high-end players. I've only heard some Krells, a Marantz, a Meridian, a Denon, and some ES'. In my experience, if the Parasound isn't holding it's own, it's better than the aforementioned, and at half to a third the cost. I no longer analyze my music. I sit and enjoy.
Now, I need to upgrade my backend(speakers)! :)

REVIEW: Parasound CDP 2000 ULTRA CD Player/Recorder Review by Wes Y. Keller at Audio Asylum