Hi-end CD 5-disk Changers?

I was at a dealer yesterday that sold both Rotel and Marantz and said that since Marantz has been bought by Denon that the Marantz quality has declined. He told me that the Rotel multi-disk player would sound better than the Marantz and also has an IEC power recepticle on the back to allow you to upgrade the power cord.

The other think I've learned is that the Sony SCD-based line of multi-disk players has poor Redbook CD playback but good SACD playback. In my case I would be using the multi-disk playback for parties so chances are the Sony CD playback, while less than stellar, would be adequate given the conversations, laughter and elevated ambient noise etc.

Just my 2-cents worth. . .

Kevinzoe

Kevin,

Just an idea but I have a 3-4 yr old Marantz CC4000SE 5 disc changer that is used for same purpose - bakcground and parties. It was the fastest deck on the market then with disc changes, drawer openings, disc payback time literally twice as fast as anything else. I found the Sonys to be slowest. The Marantz will change discs in 4 secs, so fast at social functions that one one ever notices a disc is being changed. I'll hit the 'shuffle' button and music starts in 5 seconds and discs change in this function in 4-5 seconds. However, if you are playing 5 discs in a row it only takes 4 secs between discs. This is about far better than the Sonys and Onkyos I tried.

Another thought - why would Denon cheapen the Marantz line? What exactly has been done to cause them to loose sound quality? Gotta be careful about what dealers say. Also, the 3-4 year old CC4000SE I have is very quiet and I usually don't hear it changing discs. I paid $450.00 ($500.00 list) new.

Mid-fi only.

Get the Rotel 1055. Looks good, sounds good, detachable power cord, well-made, better power supply (or so they say) in comparison to older models, remote is very nice.

Look, if it was 7 years ago, I'd recommend trying to get your hands on the Cal Audio changer, which are the best, but if you are lucky enough to find one, in all liklely hood, it's been in use for at least ten years.

The McIntosh is great and will be the best sounding, but it has the quirky load mechanism and is too expensive (IMHO).

I've used them all and have settled with the Rotel, and am very pleased. I know you will be too.