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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).
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chronoglidesky's avatar
chronoglidesky
45 posts
 
Most "vinyl-like" CD sound I've heard comes from Audio Note (UK). I got a Level 4 CDT plus equivalent DAC (so way above your stated bracket) ... BUT the more affordable Audio Note transports and DAC's (which are really quite reasonably priced) have the same vinyl-like "DNA" found in the Level 4/5 units and which I find so appealing. Worth an audition at least IMO.
routlaw's avatar
routlaw
46 posts
 
As a few others have suggested get the Emotiva ERC-4 it fits your budget, performs way above its price point in terms of audio quality. Sounds much better than my Oppo 203 but will add IMO to get the most from this player it should be used with the balanced outputs feeding a fully differential balanced pre-amp. The ERC-4 is a fully differentially balanced design. I owned the ERC-3 previous to this and feel confident in stating the ERC-4 sounds better although it uses thee exact same DAC chip, the Analog Devices 1955.

Given my experience with the ERC-3 I thought a lot of people were making a mountain out of a molehill regarding the noisy transport. To that I should also add in all fairness the ERC-4 can be significantly quieter but on some disc most of the time but for what ever reason I can still hear some chattering/noise with the ERC-4 on a few but not all disc which is easily remedied by hitting the stop button, then play again. Alternatively one can eject the tray, then close again and this will fix any noise. 

In conclusion the audio performance of this player is equal to if not better than my Holo Spring DAC Level 1 using Aurdirvana + 3.5. They sound different but after a few weeks of comparing I tend to lean toward the ERC-4 which sounds more pleasing to me. Its very dynamic spacious and smooth. Highly recommended.

surferandy's avatar
surferandy
52 posts
 
Marantz CD6006

Price / performance it is one of the best. Buy new and get warranty, sounds great on my system.

doitwithlife's avatar
doitwithlife
98 posts
 
Wanted to follow this. I currently stream 100% using a directstream Dac. Internet is unreliable,  so no network,  no music.

Ive got a dac I love so only need the transport portion of a player. Been considering a used high quality transport, but always well beyond the price it seems I could get a hi rated new CD/DVD.

Was thinking what would be important is a reliable loading system. Being able to manual drop a disk rather than tray loading or slot load seems to make sense.

A good clock and steady motor. Not sure if jitter specs would be the measure of this. A buffering player seems to get around some if this by delaying handoff for a bit allowing timing and read errors to be corrected before handoff to a dac. I like that feature but that is still too expensive 


minorl
1,016 posts
 

I absolutely don't agree with the don't buy used policy.

There are some outstanding used CD players/transports out there that are under $700 that originally costs in the multiple thousands that will blow away many new CD players/transports today.

If you already have a decent dac, I recommend Pioneer Elite CD/Blue Ray players such as the DV-09, BDP-O9, DV 79 avi, etc.  The DV-09 and BDP-09 were seriously overbuilt and are actually outstanding as transports.  The BDP-09 and DV-79 AVI are great transports and also really good as CD players.  These are just a few.

You can get a working DV-09 for about $300.  it weighs a ton (so to speak), overbuilt and sounds great.  Doesn't play SACDs though.  The BDP-09 and DV-79 avi do.

The industry kept growing and therefore, it started out with CD players/transports.  Then Blue ray came into existence and many people got rid of the CD players for Blue ray players.  But, if you only wanted one for playing CDs, you can't go wrong. 

If your budget is $700.  There isn't a $700 CD player out there that can touch any of the ones I listed above.  And as transport only, I can tell you that I have tested many in the multiple thousand dollar range that couldn't touch the ones I listed above as transport only.

enjoy

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