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
I too am sorry to hear about your unfortunate fire incident. Until recently I too was a streaming holdout, but I’ve converted and am very happy I did. I find the quality of streaming Qobuz comparable or better than spinning CDs, and although the convenience and flexibility is off-the-charts better than playing CDs, even better is the variety of music I now have at my fingertips. As a result I’ve got a whole new library of albums and tracks I probably would’ve never gotten exposed to otherwise. It’s like whole new musical worlds are being opened to me. So I’d highly recommend turning lemons into lemonade and take this opportunity to enter the streaming world. Very good DACs have never been so cheap, and you can buy a relatively cheap CD player as a transport and pair it with something like a Wired4Sound reclocker and get great results for spinning your CDs (although you may find yourself not spinning many anymore after entering the wonderful world of streaming — I don’t). Obviously going this route will also negate the need for you to repurchase most of your lost CDs as they’re probably already available for streaming. Or, alternatively, you might consider something like the Innuos Zen Mini Mklll, which at around $1500 could be your CD player, DAC, and streamer all in one. Upgrade the DAC later and you’d have a pretty killer front end.

Qobuz was recently offering a special $15/month for their hi-res streaming subscription to early subscribers, and I’d recommend taking advantage of that if it’s still available. I did, and it’s the best 15 bucks I spend every month. Sorry again for your loss, and best wishes for rebuilding better than ever.
Sorry to hear about the fire. I actually love that streaming is taking over to a certain degree. I use a few shops on Ebay for cd's now and buy for really cheap (moviemars, getimportcds, to name a couple). Best Buy now has switched to a random bin of cds in their stores and it is near impossible to find anything. Their vinyl section is growing and can be found back by their home theater department. 
Schiit Audio is going to have a transport out this year. I might wait until then to make a decision
IMO vinyl has not peaked in popularity yet. Been buying and playing records from 1959 on. Had a reel to reel or two. Switched to cd for convenience and I thought superior sound at the time, 1983. Did not play vinyl again until just a few years ago. Still have some imports and Mobile Fidelity. There are 3 places to buy vinyl where I live, Redding CA. But no better quality electronics than the local Best Buy provides. BB does not have a Magnolia in the store-but can order for you.
If you have the electronic gear to support it, SACD might be the way to go. SACDs are harder to find, ebay works for me. They sound better, to me, than regular CDs.
Sorry to hear of your loss, especially any pictures or family items. I am not in favor of Chinese products, however my Oppo BDP 95 was not much of a choice, especially used. If your insurance will allow, used gear from Audiogon or other places, lets your money go much further.
Back to vinyl, they were also called biscuits back in the 70s. My favorite electronic variety store Putos 96002, sells new 180 gram reissue records at 25 a pop, he also has used records for sale. He is surprised how fast they march out the door. At other forums the quality of the reissue mix on new records seems to be a bone of contention for purists. Used/new records are available on Discogs as well as ebay. You have so many good choices to make. When possible listen to the hardware with you ears, or in your listening space.   Don't forget the various vinyl tools, cartridge alignment in 3 dimensions, cleaners, bubble level and Zerostat.  Good luck and happy listening.
I recently moved across country and left quite a bit of stuff behind.  I bought a Pro-ject Beatles turntable off Ebay. It should arrive shortly. I see lots of used Pro-ject and Rega turntables on Ebay for a decent spend. There seems to be quite a thriving market for vintage Technics as well. I see lots of vinyl records online via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Amoeba records.  There is more available on vinyl that first meets the eye for a  fan of 60s, 70s rock, jazz and blues.

For my Kpop, Jpop, Cantopop and Mandopop fetish, I have to look more at CDs.  I picked up an inexpensive Sony CD/SACD player on EBay, which will serve.

It's not the highest audiophile stuff, but as I am retired, I don't have the cash to throw at my hobbies like I used to.

I buy digital for my player/phone and stream music as well.  It's definitely more convenient when you are traveling.