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Recommendations for CDP < $300

I'm new to hifi. Not really an audiophile yet. Inherited a nice older system but the Arcam CD92 player just died. 

I'm currently using an old low end Sony but it really belongs to a basic low end system down at my cabin. I have a couple of books on top of it and sorbothane pads under the feet and I'm okay with the SQ. But, it needs to go back down to my cabin.

Looking at used CD players on eBay, prices are all over the place and I'm a little leery of buying a used low end player which may have been mishandled etc. And even some with low prices have shipping rates that make even the cheap ones not worth the bother.

So now I'm looking at a new one. Prefer sub $300. There are three I'm looking at: Onkyo C-7030 for $200. NAD C538 for $300. It sounds like these two have the same Wolfson DAC. Not sure why the NAD is $100. I've pretty much ruled out a Cambridge CD-10 at $300 because it does not have gap-less play back. I don't listen to a ton of classical but I do some and pauses between classical arrangements would be a deal breaker.

I have noticed that some reviews are claiming newer CDPs sound much better than older CDPs due to improved technology. Not sure if this is true or not. Any reason to prefer new to historically good older models?

Anyway, besides the Onkyo and the NAD are there other sub $300 units I should look at? Anything else I need to consider?

Thanks,
George
n80
cscrutinizer
34 posts
 
n80, There are some reports if reliability issues, but if you look you find that with many things. I had also considered the Marantz CD6006, but that's a $500. machine, and I'm not sure the SQ would be that different from the 7030. NADs are another possibility.

I just checked what I payed. I had been watching for the price to drop and bought the Onkyo at $160. Happy so far.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Since the factory is in China I wonder if NAD waits for a container full or just
sends each item Priority Mail ?
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,719 posts
 
n80made in china = junk.  Happy Listening!
joshelston
53 posts
 
I would look for a used Rega Planet 2000 or Rega Saturn.  Made in England smooth, juicy sound.  I owned for years and years.  Loved it.  Only downside is that it is a top loader and needs some overhead clearance to get the CD in and out.  You could upgrade later and use it as a transport.  Rega also makes DACs.  Happy hunting.  
raindance
56 posts
 
The Onkyo 7030 is an excellent player for the price (I have one that I use for testing when I do repairs to amps). Very reliable and well made. It is perhaps a touch bright in it's delivery, but when you are ready for better, you can always add an external DAC. It is likely your best option. Used players are a crap shoot wrt reliability with the possible exception of the Oppo 103, which I also have. For the extra dollars, the Oppo also supports streaming and SACD playback.
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