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Thinking about a new, lower end CD Player

My current CD player is a basic, older Sony, probably 10-12 years old. Works fine but I could use it in another location with a lower end system. It seems to sound about as good as my Arcam CD92 that lost its DAC a while back.

So now thinking about buying a new CDP and have a couple of questions.

I’d like to keep this in the $300-500 range for units with internal DAC. Not looking for SACD player. Other than a remote, not looking for special features or multi disk players.

I’m guessing that in this price range SQ is probably comparable to other units in that range.

First, is a CDP in this price range going to sound any better than the old Sony?
Second, if not, is there any reason not to just buy a comparable $200 unit?
Third, for units in this price range ($300-500) is there any reason to look for one with balanced output capability and if so, is there any way to know if it is truly balanced.

Thanks all,

George


n80
n80 OP
2,128 posts
 
CD92 with the 'ring' DAC (the part which isn't working). The odd thing is that it will play through the DAC/RCA outputs for maybe a minute when you first turn it on then it gets all garbled up and quits playing altogether.

We do have some Goodwill and consignment type shops around and I will keep an eye out for something.
toddrhodes
49 posts
 
OP, if you can find a TASCAM CD-200b used for $89 or $99, get it. I'm using its bigger brother, the 500b and it sounds great. MSRP is $499 and I got it on eBay in "like new" condition, which fortunately ended up being accurate, for $189. 

I am stepping up to a very good transport since I'm feeding a nice DAC with the TASCAM, but I'm keeping the TASCAM as a backup or possibly for use upstairs down the road. TASCAM is owned by TEAC, who also owns Esoteric. Not saying they're comparable, but there's a good lineage there. The 200b is a tray load, my 500b is a slot load. It does sound better as a transport but even its internal DAC sounds fine. It decodes pre-emphasis too, if that's any concern.

And as someone who fits the stereotype of a near-millenial who should only listen through his phone, Tidal, or a streamer? Physical media all day, especially in a setting designed around listening.
n80 OP
2,128 posts
 
Thanks Todd, I'll look out for those.
bluesmen
5 posts
 
Every CD player I've owned have been used and still is working after 20 + years! I only bought a different one because it could decode HDCD's and in my opinion they sound incredible. I have a DTI and DAC to process the signal sent to the pre-amp and into the High Current Amplifier. I prefer older equipment to the new ones which are light and feel cheap compared to the ones I'm used to using. 
Plus the new equipment is more expensive than I can afford and I haven't heard anything at my price point that will touch my system and I have less that a thousand dollars into everything! It's  amazed how much difference the DTI and DAC makes in the music details and sound stage on any CD player or transport. This equipment new would have cost nearly five or six thousand and I can't spend that kind of money! My Audio Alchemy's are still pumping a fantastic sound into my Kef Reference speakers which are easily twenty years old as well. 
bluesmen
5 posts
 
There are some great deals on EBay if you take your time and keep watching for someone that's upgrading there system. I'm very happy and friends are amazed when they come to my house and hear the amazing music details they've never heard before. 
Concerts are so expensive now tickets that used to cost $5 -$7.50 are now hundreds of dollars to hear the drunks around you singing! I guess I've seen almost every musician I have ever wanted to see and some are no longer with us except on recordings!  BB King, Hendrix, Stevie Ray, The Beatles, The Dead, The Allman Brothers ,Jefferson Airplane and many others are getting old like me! L
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