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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
2,133 posts
 
I know there is a guy out there who repairs and mods Arcam players. Condor Electronics or something like that. Quite expensive though.

As for who buys CD players it was interesting that at this Goodwill there was a shelf full of DVD players that will play CDs but not one simple CD player.

Personally, for now, I find CDs to be the most gratifying media. Low res streaming is convenient and to me the sound quality isn't unbearable most of the time. But it isn't great. I also don't like renting stuff and paying monthly fees. Hi-res Tidal is $240 a year. Right now I'm probably averaging around $6 per used CD. That's 40 CDs that I've researched the production and sound quality of.  Buying hi-res files is pricey compared to most used CDs. HD Tracks does not back them up for you. I don't need to back up CDs per se....but I rip them anyway. I have CDs that are close to 30 years old and sound fine. I know they can degrade,  but in general are pretty durable.

Vinyl is its own thing. Not knocking it at all but that bug hasn't bitten me yet. Four times as expensive, at least, just for the media and to get the most of it the gear is more pricey too.

So for now I enjoy researching, hunting for and buying good CDs more cheaply than you can buy from HD Tracks or iTunes for that matter.

It seems the challenge for me is to find and keep running CD players. ;-)

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Its hard to beat $20 DVD/ bluray players that when you use just as a transport to send your CD signal to a quality dac can rival very expensive dedicated CD players.

I have 4 sources for CD playback in my various systems ( including a Sony PS3) and every one is just used as transport sending signal to a superior dac for playback.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
n80,

Check your local library. Mine has a basement where people donate books and CDs (it used to be records, too, but not anymore). They are $1 each and you could find everything. From MFSL CDs to Austrian polka. Selection changes, actually expands, quite often so it is always like a candy store.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
uberwaltz, that is where the logic (and being a tightwad) is taking me. Spend my money of a better DAC and use whatever to spin the CD.

glupson, good idea. I live in a small city so who knows what I'll find but I'll look. Library is right down the street.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
N80.

Just for giggles I did a comparison tonight in my main rig with my Pioneer DVD player.

Played a known good quality CD and switching back and forth between its rca outs direct into my Ayre and it's spdif which goes into a Mytek Brooklyn DAC and then into the Ayre.

It was not even a contest as well it should not be as we are talking 90,s tech internal dac in the pioneer vs 2017 tech DAC.

I only keep the RCA outputs hooked up to play the few SACD I own!
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