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Crazy to buy a 17 year old CD Player?

My ARC CD2 just died...I think the laser finally gave up the ghost.  Any how I've got thousands of red book CDs in my library and need a replacement player.  I'm thinking an ARC CD 3MKII or the Mark Levinson 390S.  Am I crazy to be thinking this?  Got a budget of around $2000.00.  My system, though dated, is made up of higher end stuff: ARC 25 pre amp, ARC VT 150 mono amps, VPI TNT IV, Wilson Witts, all running through Transparent Reference (Balanced).
cmcdaniel5
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Forget about trying to get a low jitter signal from a CD player.  You have to spend at least $20K to achieve this.

You can get the same or better result by purchasing a cheaper CD player, even used, with S/PDIF output and reclock it with a good reclocker and then drive a good coax cable to your DAC.  Get a transport that is new enough to use the triple-laser technology.  Even cheap Blu-Ray will work if it has S/PDIF output.


CD transport - $300-400

Reclocker - $600

Coax cable - $250

total = $1250


audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Why don't you get a used OPPO?  Then you can view blu-ray movies as well.


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

initforthemusic
282 posts
 
The OP is after quality Redbook CD playback. IME a standalone Oppo is unable to provide that.
cmcdaniel5 OP
21 posts
 
Well, it's been about 4 months with the Ayre5xeMP.  Basically happy with the sound......the ARC had been dead for so long can't make valid comparisons to it.  The only problem is having tasted of the Apple, am now wondering about streaming and the like.   The Ayre has no digital ins so am looking at an outboard dac.  Such is the nature of the hobby.   Still, my CDs sound great and am listening more these days, so it's all good.
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,426 posts
 
Buying used you do have a good chance the equipment will break down .Take it from some who knows this FIRST HAND.LOL
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