I have been through this as well. 95% vinyl listening but have a great collection of CDs not available on vinyl. For a $700 budget I would buy a NEW transport at best deal I could get, and spend the rest on the best USED Schitt DAC I could find. I had a compact Cambridge CD player in another system that I use as a Transport in my main system now. I am satisfied with the sound and, as others upgrade their DACs being into digital much more than I, I can upgrade the DAC if so inclined in the future. My system is posted here on Agon. The inexpensive little DAC has made me enjoy my CD collection more. Good luck in your solution!
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).
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).
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- 128 posts total
I was in the same arena and finally decided to buy another CD player but I guess I am more of a risk taker if I smell what could be a bargain in the wind. Bought an older C.E.C belt drive transport and was very happy, under $200 but yes its old but does have aes/ebu digital out which is how I used it. Then fell lucky and moved up to an Esoteric DV-50S which is just in another world entirely and CD and DVD-A has taken on complete new life through this machine.This i use its XLR balanced ouytputs direct into my BAT VK300xSE. Built like the proverbial tank at 47lb and is Teac high end division, you can find them under 1k if lucky ( mine was $750). Good luck and welcome back to the little silver disc! |
Thanks to all, yet again. Came across this little video by Paul McGowan: Question comes in at 1'05": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGOWAWZODAY&t=110s Essentially he says, don't buy something expensive if your system isn't very expensive. In this particular question, he even dissuades from Cambridge and Marantz mid-fi because, on a budget, they won't make a difference. Listen to his answer for the nuance, because he is not saying transports don't matter! |
- 128 posts total