Thanks, I’ll check on that!
Considering getting a CD player (again). Used? New? Criteria?
After years without one, I'm considering getting a CD player. I'm not against streaming, but I have many CD's and would like the simplicity of just playing them from time to time. I probably want to cap my expenditure at $700, or so, because this won't be the only way I play music.
A few questions:
If you've purchased a new CD player, what did you buy? Why?
If you've purchased a used player, how old is too old? What factors helped you choose?
My concern with used is that the transport mechanism of older players will be getting tired, and this won't be knowable just because a unit "checks out" with the site (or individual) testifying to the player's working condition. There's got to be an average point for many machines to give up the ghost, mechanically (varying from machine to machine, of course).
A few questions:
If you've purchased a new CD player, what did you buy? Why?
If you've purchased a used player, how old is too old? What factors helped you choose?
My concern with used is that the transport mechanism of older players will be getting tired, and this won't be knowable just because a unit "checks out" with the site (or individual) testifying to the player's working condition. There's got to be an average point for many machines to give up the ghost, mechanically (varying from machine to machine, of course).
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hilde45, You need to check out the ad in US Audio Mart for a MW Sony 999 with the separate power supply and tubes--full mods in other words. You could get this at VERY near your price point or at it. ALL the other good players that have been listed will pale in comparison in sound. This IS the type of buy I mentioned before. Jack be nibble, Jack be quick... You can thank me later. Bob |
I have a couple posts in this thread stating I did not like my new Cambridge Audio CXC after comparing it to my Node2 streamer. I have since had a chance to listen and do a few more comparisons, and would like to retract my earlier statements. I have listened to a wider variety of music and have to admit to liking it as much as I hoped I would. The plan now is to keep it for many years. |
@mcstin I'm enjoying mine very much and just bought the Node2i. I like the CXC very much so far. I'm considering some mods, à la: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoxC3st7WQw |
I like CDs and, weirdly, the new car I just bought (BMW M240i) has what a sales dude described as the last EVER BMW with a CD player (this assumes you trust any car sales dude's opinion)...it also allows music from CDs to be stored digitally (no clue how many, but easily deleted if the thing fills up) for space saving. A pleasantly surprising feature. |
Just got my Emotiva ERC-4 from Audio Alternatives. So nice to have a cdp and dac in one. Just plugged my macbook (via usb/spdif) into the coax input and i can stream my full res ripped cd's and stream WWOZ and others Sounds great rich, full sound, good bass, detailed not harsh my have to sell the MR-71 tuna |
@naimfan For what it's worth, I spent some time comparing it pretty closely to the streaming stuff I have (not high res, but 320kbs). I really heard a difference -- it was definite, clear to my ears. And I often second guess my ability to hear differences. The CXC's successor is out, so I'd suggest grabbing the CXC while it's still discounted. Crutchfield has them and a 30 day return policy. |
I've just obtained a 2005 Musical Fidelity A5 cd player ... why i chose old was based on finding that older gear can have a better tone to my ears YMMV of course ...a great price only £200 (house clearance seller didn't really know the value) for a back in the day £2500 player that generally goes for around £500 plus over here and by all accounts was always a solid build too, indeed at over 10KG (22lbs) and looks basically like a cd player in a power amp box ..all nice and silver front plus black handles with a minimal display & buttons (the looks i like) it so far seems to of survived well after i gave it a good clean up as it was covered in dust & muck from being stored in an attic ..with its coax & opt outs i can run it as a transport through a Benchmark Dac that i have but comparing that with its RCA outs into a Cyrus Pre into Mono Xs i am for now prefering the sound of the MF DAC built into the player ..admitedly by a small but noticeable margin it has a warmer feel ... my next comparision test is to pitch it directly against my Cyrus Discmaster 8.0 which serves duty for me as DVD & CD player, after 7 years i started to hanker for a dedicated cd player or transport to explore what differences could be there...movies are still sounding great though. Having said all that i was very close to going the transport route with the Audiolab 6000CDT that "everyone" seems to be raving about as my budget was up £400 So to help the OP i'd say that i realise MF has it's fair share of critics but don't rule out what others aren't fans of regardless of brand and certainly don't rule out older kit ... audition what you can and sell on what you don't like i'm sure you will arrive at a great destination for your ears in your room and have some fun along the way, for myself there is a great guy by reputation called John Sampson of JS Audio Repairs who has decades of MF experience so I'm sure in due course i'll be letting him tidy her up ..plus before buying i checked and found belts & lasers are still available so with a spare belt & laser soon she will at least have her own spare parts ready for if the day comes they are needed ..and all for less than £300 |
Further to my intial reply ...i've now found and got a Marantz 6000 SE Ki CDP ...which i must say i'm finding best use purely as a transport with its optical out into BenchMark Dac1 HDR to act as the Dac & Pre then via XLRs onto Cyrus Mono Xs and into Klipsch Quartets .... going directly via the CDP along with the Cyrus Amps makes the sound too bright, so i'm sure that with different amps it would sound much less bright ...but having all 3 options of Coax/Optical & Analogue RCAs this CD has got it all covered and at under £200 will be staying |
For those with limited funds, the Marantz CD6006 ($499) is an easy recommend. A very musical player with good build quality and a 3-year warranty. https://www.whathifi.com/us/marantz/cd6006/review |
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I got a good deal from a friend on a Cambridge Audio Azur 840 CD player after my mint used $40 Rotel 855 went kaput. All I did was move the 855 into another room and then the laser stopped reading discs. The Azur 840 is very nice but seems very analytical sounding and I actually prefer the 16 bit Rotel over the Azur. Note, with my amp (Onix OA-60 dual mono int), I do not have the capability to listen to the Azur in balanced mode which is supposed to be much better. The Azur also has many other DAC features built in, that a dinosaur like me doesn’t know how to use yet, as I still enjoy my LPs and cassettes :) |
I have had the ERC-3, Marantz 6006, and Audiolab 6000cdt. Out of those choices, the Emotiva is the best, no contest, in my opinion. The Marantz feels and sounds like a consumer product, I don't know why it is reviewed so highly, I found it to be very unimpressive. The Audiolab is okay, but I think the Emotiva is the best player at this price point. I've also had anewer NAD player, but again was not very impressed. I will be purchasing an ERC-4. |
Alex, I used to have a 90s EAD player which retailed for around $3500 as well. The sound was fantastic, unfortunately the laser was starting to go, which is the main issue with older players. Honesty my Emotiva ERC-4 sounds every bit as good as the EAD. I think you would have to pay some serious money to best the ERC-4. |
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