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CD/DVD player advice

Hello to all. If this question is in the wrong location, I apologize. I am presently playing my CD's from an old Sony DVD player. I do want to upgrade this. So, do you find that a DVD such as an OPPO 105, sounds better for playing CD's verses a dedicated cd player of similar cost? I would say that an OPPO 105 that is in good condition,used for say $700 would be my top end. Would you recommend a dedicated cd player, which could also be used, or are the DVD players quite adequate. Right now it would not be connected to a TV. If I do later than the OPPO or something equivalent would be considered. Lets keep pricing down to $700 for either the cd or dvd player. Thankx to all in advance. If you need more info, let me know. Arthur ,
arthurd
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
a new Oppo comes with a return privilege - I'd test one for sure

otherwise there is the question of what audio you need to play?

Redbook CD?
HDCD?
SACD?
Blue-Ray?
DVD-Audio?
arthurd OP
17 posts
 
Thankx. Right now I am just playing my good old CD's I have for years. HA!
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

The Oppo 105 plays CDs quite well.  It has excellent power supply and analog stages.  However, one of the problems is that it is designed as a "universal" player and doesn't have specific digital clocks for CD playback.  Also, it does still have a switching power supply for digital section (which can be upgraded to linear from OPPOMOD).

There is a used Sony DVP-9000ES for $314 that will likely sound much better for CDs, as it is specifically designed for 44.1khz playback.  However, it is extremely old and could be prone to failure.

Try hunting down a Jolida tube CD player?  I have also read that Rega CD players are very excellent as well.

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
So, the question is really:

"Best CD-only player for $700?"

R2R ladder DACs have only recently been displaced by other types, so besides reliability questions, the SQ question is what is the best Ladder DAC based CD player...

The easiest thing is to buy an Oppo - it will sound very good or better and can be returned if you don't like it.

Brands to think about for $700 max would be:
Cambridge Audio
Sony ES
Rega
Denon & Marantz

I like tubes, but I keep them bottled up inside my pre-amp....
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