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Warm and pleasing CDP - can be biased, colored


I'm looking for a CDP that has warm and pleasing sound.
Everything else can be sacrificed - no dynamics, fine, lack of clarity, fine, even distortion/bias/coloring is welcomed as long as the CDP sounds warm and pleasing.

My primary CDP is good but too unforgiving for poorly recorded CDs. I'd like to get a 2nd CDP that is sort of like a turntable. Looking for inexpensive one.
silvmoon
restock
831 posts
 
Inexpensive, reliable and warm sounding - Rega Planet

It also has good timing and good dynamics as well. And most importantly manages to make every CD sound engaging and non-fatiguing. The original Planet can be had for $300-400. Mine still works after 8 years without any problems.

Rene
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I had to check Talon4"s system to understand how he could say a $1,400 used cd player is inexpensive. It's all relative I guess.
For a truly inexpensive cdp, I suggest the NAD C-541i ($225 used). Very smooth sound with the bonus of HDCD. I've owned cdps in the price range of Talon4's suggestion but keep going back to the NAD. It's hard to beat for the money.
judy426
228 posts
 
Look for a used Sony XA7ES. Selling for under $1000 now but $3000 when new. Warm, yet detailed and focused. They are also built like a tank. Check it out.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
do you have a turntable to compare your cd player to? players differ but not in an incredibly dramatic way. your speakers have a bit to do with this.
matrix
305 posts
 
Easy answer, Wadia... any model, I really like the pioneer stable plater models. Killer dynamics, big soundstage, huge output, bottom of the barrel bass. The most real sounding CD player I have found, but with anything I guess you could match it wrong and have a lean presentation, or digititis, but I think it is tuff to do!
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