Ruminations On CD Players


After multiple factory rebuilds, I'm ready to replace my twenty year old Arcam CD-73 CD player.  I've looked through lists of recommended CD players in the $2000 range, and have noticed that some are all-inclusive while others have separate transports and DACs.  Other than ease of replacement, what are the benefits of having the transport and DAC separate?  Any recommendations on CD players in this price range?  I only have music CDs so don't need anything that can do more than that.

 

Thanks,

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN

jrcotner

@soix 

This happens all the time. Someone asks about CDPs or CDTs and members like you take a crap on the thread and talk about streaming to the point of shoving it down their throats. Get a life. Your turn will come when another thread about streaming pops up.

Your persistent need to elevate yourself above me and others is downright weird and off-putting. Continue with your belief that you're in the majority and superior to all others who don't do as you do if it gives you the warm and fuzzies. You sound like you need all the support you can get.

Do you get a subpoena from Jack Smith? Is that what accounts for your foul attitude? 

All the best,
Nonoise

@nonoise Oh my, aren’t we sensitive.  You’re the one that brought up your perceived “deficiencies” of streaming, and if you go back and look the only thing I did was refute claims you made that were either inaccurate or ran very counter to my experience.  And I’m not “elevating” myself — I just had low-hanging and uninformed fruit being dangled in front of me.  Had you not proactively raised these issues I would’ve not responded so you can just blame yourself for baiting the subject, but when I read things that I find misleading or that run counter to my experience I tend to respond with my own take.  I disagree with you strongly on some of the things you said.  That’s all.  It’s a forum, which is supposed to be an exchange of ideas and experiences.  If I’m wrong I expect to be called out on it and so should you and then just let the chips fall where they may.  I’m sure others will chime in with their thoughts and experiences, and I welcome them all because that’s how I often learn valuable things here.  If you can open your mind a little and take your head outta the CD racks long enough maybe you will too. 

@soix Oh brother, are you being anal today. I brought up what I see as limitations of a medium and you take it oh so personally, like I attacked you and you only. Your caveat about "counter to my experience" is running a bit thin and the only valid thing you have to say about the matter so leave it at that.

As for letting the chips fall where they may, that is something you should practice and not just preach. And yes, others will chime in later in the day, as is their wont. Almost to a person, they'll say the same thing I did: why the heck are people touting things that the OP asked not to, and why is it always the same people? 

To fall back on "differing opinions" of a nature not germane to the OP's query clearly sidesteps the issue. You were called out so let those chips fall. As for opening my mind, it is. I won't pay for amounts to background music that I can get on my radio.

All the best,
Nonoise

@nonoise 

I brought up what I see as limitations of a medium and you take it oh so personally

Well, there ya go.  You are the one that brought up your “perceived” limitations of streaming and brought this off topic, not me.  And I don’t take it personally at all.  I just refuted your assertions with some facts and actual experience.  The reason you’re likely getting very defensive here is because you’re realizing you don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to streaming and when confronted by someone with actual experience in the medium you got nuthin’ except a belief based on nothing.  If anyone is taking this personally it’s you.

 

nonoise

10,308 posts

 

@soix Oh brother, are you being anal today. I brought up what I see as limitations of a medium and you take it oh so personally, like I attacked you and you only.

Seems to be a pattern

*Riding out on my high horse*

@soix 

You are the one that brought up your “perceived” limitations of streaming and brought this off topic, not me.

And here's the OP's query:

Any recommendations on CD players in this price range?  I only have music CDs so don't need anything that can do more than that.

Tell me how it's me that took this off topic?

Just wait for the other members to chime in later. I can wait.

All the best,
Nonoise

Well, from the OP…

I don't have a streamer and hate to say never

That doesn’t sound like someone who’s at least not open to new info along with getting thoughts on CD players versus a separate transport and DAC.  Nobody here is trying to force streaming down the OP’s throat but rather just provide some info that might be useful down the road.  All was fine until you decided to unfairly diss streaming without even knowing what you’re talking about.  Added info is rarely a bad thing here, but unsolicited disinformation is counterproductive and should be called out as such.  And yeah, I’m sure looking forward to other folks’ thoughts on CDs being a better way to discover new music than streaming.  Ha!

Music Threads here and in various forums.

Haven’t forgotten … family, friends, co-workers, strangers, etc etc.

@soix 

"unfairly diss streaming".....you talk like you're dating and defending her honor. Your chivalry is misplaced. 

"not knowing what you're talking about" ....yes, I do, and you're starting to sound a lot like freddy.

"unsolicited disinformation'....give me a break. This is not your personal sandbox and goes contrary to what you said earlier about having a say in something.

"ha!"....meh

All the best,
Nonoise

@nonoise I don’t deal in ridiculous circular reasoning or disinformation.  I’ve made my points and stand by them, and I’m out.

After much consideration and review of the preceding posts, I finally pulled the trigger on a CD player.  I got a Cambridge CXC v2 and a Jolida Glass FX III DAC.  They sound great together and are a considerable improvement over my Arcam CD-73.  I got the Cambridge on sale and the Jolida used, so I came in way under budget.  And much better sound, which is the goal.  Thank you all for your valuable input and insights.  

@jrcotner 

Congratulations and it is gratifying to know you had such a satisfactory outcome.

Charles

After following this thread for some time, I must say I believe @jrcotner made a great purchase. I own the Cambridge transport and from everything I 'heard' here and elsewhere the Jolida DAC is wonderful at it's price.  I believe it would take much over $2K to do better.

I play CDs. I stream qobuz via computer to find ones to purchase. Streaming opens up my music world however my 2 systems are dedicated to CD playback for serious listening.