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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
kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
274 posts
 
If you have a smart phone or laptop, a $5 patch cable will get you started.  If you have a home network, $25 will get you a Chromecast Audio.  CD quality and better.  The DACs in most modern computers or phones are pretty good.  There are a slew of external DACs available that will give you a noticeable upgrade for around $100 (Audioquest Dragonfly, Schiit Modi).

Of course, you can spend more and get as complicated as you want.  But you will be 90% there with just a $5 patch cable.  And if you can swing the monthly cost for TIDAL, you may not need to RIP very many CDs.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,686 posts
 
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=159297.msg1701196;topicseen#new
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,719 posts
 
n80

Give me an update on your search for the next cd player.  Happy Listening!
n80 OP
2,117 posts
 
I'm still using the old Sony at home.

The Arcam is still down at my cabin running into a Rotel home theater unit and separate amp driving some beat up B&W tower speakers. I don't like that system and it takes up too much room so I'm going to ditch it and go back to my old Toshiba receiver and old Bose bookshelf speakers. So the broken Arcam will be in limbo.

I have also taken the advice above to rip my CDs into a server and that meager system (Schiit Modi 2 Uber) is serving me well enough for now.

So bottom line is, for now I'm sticking with the old Sony. Now that I've gotten into this hi-fi business I will probably have a higher budget for a CDP if the Sony bites the dust.
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