I don't hear any pre-echo or post-ringing artifacts but it sounds terrible whatever it is

Of course you do, you just don't realize it. It's what makes the digital playback sound less natural than a good analog playback. The digital process creates a sine wave made out of little steps instead of pure rise and fall of the analog wave. The more resolution, the finer the steps but they are still there. There is however a more nasty by-product of digital which is the pre-echo and post ringing artifacts that add components to sounds of recorded music which does not exist with real instruments. If a guitar string is plucked and recorded, the digital process will add before and after sound that didn't exist. It makes the sound less natural, often more harsh and often fatiguing. The MP filter goes a long way to eliminate most of those artifacts and makes the CDP sound much more natural, smooth and fatigue free.

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

So - the long and short of it appears to be that the MP upgrade on the C-5xe is worth it, yes!?!?

I hope so, as I am just going through an upgrade of amps and speakers and wish to get my CDP done with the MP update.

Am I right in thinking it doesn't particularly change the character of the player, but enhances realism/naturalness?

A good thread this ...

Anyone compare the C5XE MP side by side to CX7E MP ? Any big difference ? I am thinking of getting either one just for redbook cd playback .

Jason Yeo.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

__________________
Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

I had my CX7e upgraded, it made a really nice difference, not massive, but well worth it. I do think it makes the CD player easy to listen to for hours. I actually use my turntable less now.

I am also interested in the differences between the CX7 and CX5, I sometimes think of upgrading, but I only have CDs.

__________________
VPI Scoutmaster; JMW-9 Signature; Lyra Helikon
Ayre CX 7emp; ARC PH5; ARC Ref 5; ARC Ref 110
Wilson Sophia 3; Transparent - cables
XLO - cables; Aural Symphonics - cords; Shunyata - cords

I've never compared the CX7 to the CX5 so I can't help you guys.

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

Thanks Dan

I can get a brand new CX7e with new Teac Transport or a used C5Xe almost same price here . I only have CDs so hopefully someone can help me out

Hello all.
First time in the Ayre room but it won’t be my last.
I just hooked up my brand new C-5xe MP and I am totally blown away and the space, detail, resolution of my redbook cd collection.
If there is one c dive played more than any others, it would be Aja by Steely Dan. After popping it into the cdp, I heard detail and instruments I have never heard before. Its unreal. AND it gets even better because the unit hasn’t been broken in yet. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving. WOOHOO!!!

__________________
Mark-

bodiezaffa.......The Ayre C-5xeMP has gotten plenty of praise from the reviewers, and those that own one. Glad to hear you are also a pleased owner.

Ayre C-5xeMP CD/SACD/DVD-A Player

__________________
Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.