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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
2,134 posts
 
Went to the Goodwill CD store and got a Sony and a Toshiba DVD/CD player for $14 each. Both work fine. Both sound fine in my hi-fi system for that matter.

One is for down at my cabin. The other is for my B-I-L and the cobbled together Rotel/B&W/Onkyo HT system I'm putting together for him with left over gear.

For home with the h-fi I'm sticking with the Arcam CD92 as transport and will upgrade my DAC when the time comes.

For what its worth I think the Arcam ring DAC (now defunct) was a little better than the Schiit Modi 2 Uber DAC which I'm using now. Or different anyway. Brighter. Almost too bright maybe.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,671 posts
 
n80
are you going to repair the Arcam CD92 ?
Happy Listening!
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
No plans to do so at this point. Will continue to use it as a transport but will probably upgrade my DAC at some point since that will benefit my server and streaming as well.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"There were a lot of good Denon BluRay, DVD CD players that sounded real good for CDs.   Denon DVD-2500BTCI, DENON DVD-3910 DENON DVD-5910..."
As much as the sound of Denon x910 series was unexpectedly good, they were prone to laser failures. At least 2910 and 3910 might have had the same assembly but I am not sure. "Prone to laser failures" for the most part translates into "count on it". Mine failed CDs but has continued just fine with SACDs, DVD-A, DVD-V, and video discs of some sort. Basically, isolated CD failure. It was almost ten years old when it happened.  In case you are considering one of those, check with all the disc formats you may be interested in and not just a CD and consider it operable.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,671 posts
 
glupson
Does Denon still offer parts and service for their older spinners ( 2910/3910/5910) ?  I know that several of the modding operations are no longer around.
Happy Listening!
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