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Considering getting a CD player (again). Used? New? Criteria?

After years without one, I'm considering getting a CD player. I'm not against streaming, but I have many CD's and would like the simplicity of just playing them from time to time. I probably want to cap my expenditure at $700, or so, because this won't be the only way I play music.

A few questions:
If you've purchased a new CD player, what did you buy? Why?
If you've purchased a used player, how old is too old? What factors helped you choose?

My concern with used is that the transport mechanism of older players will be getting tired, and this won't be knowable just because a unit "checks out" with the site (or individual) testifying to the player's working condition. There's got to be an average point for many machines to give up the ghost, mechanically (varying from machine to machine, of course).
128x128hilde45
grinnell
1,094 posts
 
Isn’t the REGA ISIS VALVE CDP/DAC around $9K?
I’m looking at the Emotiva ERC-4 a CDP with DAC at $600
The Emotvia has a 5yr warranty, the previous edition the ERC3 has good reviews ( the slightly noisy transport has been replaced)
im going to run my computer into the Emotiva via a schiit eitr usb to spdif converter so i can stream and listen to Itunes
jl35
3,977 posts
 
Maranta CD6006 way below your price. Cambridge CXC with Schiit DAC. Rega Apollo used.  Good places to start your search. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
I appreciate the info about the Rega valve, but I’m hoping to cap this expense around $700 or so, and that suggestion is around $11k ( https://soundorg.com/valve-isis-reference/ )

I’ll look into the Emotiva, the Cambridge, and the Rega Apollo used. The Emotiva's 5 year warranty is really confidence-building, though Marantz's 3 year warranty is decent, too.

The challenge with audio is knowing where to spend big and where to spend moderately. With CD’s, I know that there will be other ways I’ll be getting my music, so this decision to spend moderately is a straightforward one.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Buy new (because of transport) and get the most expensive Marantz you an afford.  Marantz>Emotiva ~sound.
mesch
3,476 posts
 
You could purchase the 1st gen Cambridge CXC transport new for close to $300, leaving you  up to $400 for a DAC. What do you use for streaming now?
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