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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

 

 

sammyshaps
elliottbnewcombjr
5,991 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
5,991 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
1,140 posts
 

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

jl35
4,238 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...

noske
783 posts
 

Whatever you get (I recommend new coz of the mechanical nature of aspects of CD players) just be sure it has digital out should you wish to experiment plugging into your DAC.

Be careful dismissing your Schiit DAC as "cheap".  Both the Modi and Modius do the job they were designed to do very well.

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