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Should I still buy a CD player? Suggest one?

I just read that Best Buy is discontinuing CDs. This seems like a bad omen for CDs in general. I had a system I liked and lost most of it in a fire this summer. Insurance will buy me a replacement, but is it unwise to buy a CD player now? What are high end people doing now for source?

And, my players was a Creek CD-43, CD-53, bought in about 2002. What would be an equivalent quality now? Insurance doesn't care that they are more expensive now, they just want an equal replacement. If I buy a player, which is the most popular good CD player now? It's important that is it a popular one, because I don't want to get saddled with something hard to sell since things are in flux.

Thanks.


river251
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,901 posts
 
river251
My condolences for your loss. This is never an easy experience no matter the Audio system's cost.  The best news is that there has never been a better time for a cd player, especially, if you are going to continue purchasing CDs. 
You owned classic Creek models. If you like the house sound seek out one of the newer players. Unlike the 43/53, the newer spinners are sourced to china. Make certain parts are available for repair/service.  Otherwise, find a local or nearest dealer/retailer and listen, listen, listen.  Have fun discovering modern players.
Happy Listening!
emailists
923 posts
 
That’s amazing that Best Buy will stop selling CD’s.  I wonder if they will still sell vinyl.  That would be an incredible turn of events if they did.  

Too bad insurance won’t just give you the money the player is worth.  Are you required to replace the item? Research what the law and policy says.   if so, do you play Blu-ray?  Maybe you could get a nice unit that plays all formats.

i recently pulled some CDs out from a rack for the first time in many years.... to temporarily tape them to a wall or sound baffle while I bounced a laser beam off them for positioning speakers or sound baffles for first reflection point.  the CDs nice reflective surface and light weight make them ideal.   I’m glad I finally found a use for CDs.




nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
For a CD player with outstanding analog output that is likely to hold value, I'd recommend the Bryston BCD-3 or an OPPO disc player (you'd have to look on the secondhand market). Hard for me to guess as to what's equivalent to a Creek Audio CD53 though.

For what it's worth, I still buy a lot of CDs and even if Best Buy stops carrying them in stores you will still be able to order CDs online. Target has exclusive versions of CD releases, as does Japan.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
YES! Any Denon or Marantz for around $500 is an easy recommendation!
mesch
3,527 posts
 
I believe to get equivalent playback from vinyl as from digital, vinyl is more expensive, both in hardware and software.  Since your post refers to CD playback I will suggest that you consider the purchase of a CD transport and a DAC. Having separate DAC will allow flexibility for the addition of streaming services. 

What is your budget?
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