Time For a CD Player Upgrade

Save your money and get an Onkyo C-7030.  

One CDP not commonly referred to on this forum, but one that is a very attractive sounding device. Is the EAR Acute, it also enables other Digital Sources to be coupled to it.

In comparisons the CDT > DAC, this one is not able to be differentiated for being in any ways a under performer.    

Another vote here for a Modwright / Sony combo...the Sony 5400 I use has run without fault for 10+ years and sounds excellent to my ears.

One CDP not commonly referred to on this forum, but one that is a very attractive sounding device. Is the EAR Acute, it also enables other Digital Sources to be coupled to it.

In comparisons the CDT > DAC, this one is not able to be differentiated for being in any ways a under performer.

@pindac I almost mentioned the EAR Acute because a nice one came up for sale the other day (at the other US market place). They look fantastic, and especially being EAR, I bet it sounds amazing. As a bonus it also has balanced outs. I’d be all over that if I were OP.

Separate DACs can be cool, but I’ve heard plenty that are very "meh" to me. They can also sound quite different depending on which input / transport you use - adding complication and boxes. A well designed 1-box CD player sounds great, more often than not, and I’ve taken to burning my FLACs to CD-R when needed.

OP if you have not bought a player. By all means don’t buy used. Lasers do break.