2. digital
  3. 176311-122222

First CD player help!

Hi everyone,

I am going to the darkside....

But only in my bedroom :) 

I am a turntable enthusiast. It's been my only source for many years but I recently setup a turntable in my bedroom system and honestly do not enjoy having to get out of bed to flip the record and because I'm not actively listening I feel I'm not getting everything from the listening experience I would in front of my main. 

I know all about streaming and love it but only for when I'm on the subway, my car, running around etc. When given all of the world's music my ADD head wants to move onto the next artist, album or song, before whats playing even finishes.  I miss selecting a piece of physical media, putting it on and letting it play. 

So that got me thinking about CDs. 

I'm a young(ish) guy, 30 and got into music around the same time the first MP3 players hit the market so never really got into CDs. I recently purchased a guy's entire CD collection (400plus) and am now trying to figure out a decent CD player to add to my bedroom system and possibly down the road another for my main rig. 

My bedroom setup is tube based. Rogue RP1 pre, Rogue ST-80 amp, Vandersteen 3Asig speakers. And one of those cheap Schiit Dacs.

I think I'd rather go CD player vs transport at this time. And would like to spend around $500 (either new or used works for me).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers,

Sammy

 

 

128x128sammyshaps
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,883 posts
 

Regrettably an all to common occurrence on this forum. Disregard for the OP’s inquiry. He "clearly " explained why he wasn’t seeking a streaming solution. Alas.

Charles

I agree

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,346 posts
 

In your budget, I researched vintage, multiple converters, anti-jitter, over-clocking, up-sampling, and other OEM tricks.

I searched and searched for a better sounding CD player, and succeeded with 2 excellent sounding choices within your budget category,

CD only, Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4 mark II

CD and SACD: Yamaha DVD-C961

coincidentally they are both changers, an added feature IF they sound great which either do.

the search

 

then I found out about SACD players converting DSD to PCM, and some do not,

then I moved up a notch 

Sony xa5400ES, it's like buying my over 4,000 CDs and some SACD's all over again, I am buying CD's again it sounds that good. My/your expensive cartridge/stylus will not need replacement as soon when you have a great CD player and use it without hesitation! 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sony-sacd-player-scd-xa5400es-yay-or-nay

my advice, sell something, get some more money available, find a lightly used Sony xa5400ES. lightly used because the lasers eventually get weak, I had that problem with an Oppo and a Denon.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,346 posts
 

I paid $1,000. prices have gone up, but a few with lower prices have popped up

 

this one, no bids yet, says 'make offer'. you can only do that before a bid has been placed.

 

 

grinnell
1,095 posts
 

Check out the Emotiva ERC-4 CDP with a DAC  solidly built  around $600

jl35
3,977 posts
 

lots of good players in your price range...I own the Marantz CD6006 and like it very much, friend forced me to sell them my Cambridge AXC35 which Cambridge often sells directly as factory refurb with return privileges and warranty for $229 and is a fine player...have not heard the others...I like changers but they tend to be huge, and for me annoying to use...

More to discover