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Thinking about a new, lower end CD Player

My current CD player is a basic, older Sony, probably 10-12 years old. Works fine but I could use it in another location with a lower end system. It seems to sound about as good as my Arcam CD92 that lost its DAC a while back.

So now thinking about buying a new CDP and have a couple of questions.

I’d like to keep this in the $300-500 range for units with internal DAC. Not looking for SACD player. Other than a remote, not looking for special features or multi disk players.

I’m guessing that in this price range SQ is probably comparable to other units in that range.

First, is a CDP in this price range going to sound any better than the old Sony?
Second, if not, is there any reason not to just buy a comparable $200 unit?
Third, for units in this price range ($300-500) is there any reason to look for one with balanced output capability and if so, is there any way to know if it is truly balanced.

Thanks all,

George


n80
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2psyop
1,551 posts
 
+1 rhljazz. I also have a Bluesound Node 2 and I could not agree more. There are many streaming services that work with Bluesound and the album selection, flexibility and sound quality trounce 2/3 of all CD players you could buy and ALL the CD players in your price range. It is like moving from a Model T Ford automobile to a Tesla sport sedan.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
I am not interested in streaming as my primary listening source at this time. Prefer to own my music in a tangible way. Call me a dinosaur, whatever. But really enjoying CDs right now and getting good recordings at great prices.

@djones51, I had thought of that but just assumed that something like the Modi would be inferior to the DAC in the Arcam. I already have a Modi 2 Uber (which means it has a digital in port as well as USB and Toslink.) The digital port is currently free and if the Arcam/Modi combo has the potential to sound as good as the Sony then that would be the cheapest solution by far. I’ll certainly give it a try.

I would at least assume the transport on the Arcam is better than the Sony.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I was thinking it might be better than the dac in the Sony  which you are using in your main system now and you could use the sony in the second system and not lose any SQ while utilizing the transport from the Arcam. Of course it might not be all the better you already have an external dac to give it a try. 
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
I will retrieve the Arcam from my cabin this weekend and try it out. Will post my impressions once I've done it. Thanks.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
I can't believe it. The Sony just bit the dust. Went to put a CD in it just now and it ejects it. Tried other CDs, same thing. Even without a CD it keeps opening the tray and there is a buzzing noise inside.

So the plot thickens.

If I'm happy with the Arcam run through the Schiit Modi I'll just have to buy a cheap-o CDP for the cabin I guess. (The Arcam is no longer an option for down there). Hate to waste any money even on a cheap CDP for a low-fi system but that's where I'm at.
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