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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
headphonedreams
529 posts
 
I recommend ripping things to files and then play from a computer connected to a dac or with a player that supports UBS disks or SD cards. If you already have a streamer it may support flac files.

I have Raspberry Pi at home and it can handle this. Costs about $50 - $200 depending on if you need a nice case, a better dac etc. You can control it from your phone.

https://darko.audio/tag/raspberry-pi/

I also have a DragonFly dac that I can use with a computer or a tablet. The DragonFly Red is about $200 and the new DragonFly Cobalt is about $300.
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dorkwad
548 posts
 
If you want to buy new, the NAD 546 BEE CD player is top rated for sound in the under $700 price range. I bought a NAD 502 as the first CD player I actually could live with sound wise as I was a longtime record listener. They now have the 546 BEE which is a much better sounding player as NAD always continues improving as the years go by. You can get a brand new player for $546 plus tax. The NAD’s just OK looking, but the sound is very good.

Bob
wc1
12 posts
 
I purchased a used Rega Apollo from TMR a year or so ago for ~$450 and ran the digital out into my PS Audio DS DAC. Really like the sound. It is very notacibly better than my Bluesound Node 2 streamer into the same DAC. The bet I was making was that the transport part of the player was the cheaper part of the technology and as long as i used a modern higher quality DAC I would be fine. So far so good. 
iopscrl
202 posts
 
I would purchase a universal player with a digital output so you can add a DAC to improve sound.  There are a lot of DVD-A and SACD disc floating around, they do sound very good.  A universal player will allow you to dip you toe in or indulge as your mood suits.

Various OPPO models are obvious choices.  There are several Marantz models that both sound good, and represent good value- specifically the special editions and Ken Ishiwata (sp?) signature editions.

I have a Pioneer Elite DV-79i for when I want to spin silver discs.
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