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Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player

I know cds are dead.  Best time to buy a cd player, the way it looks.  I want an all in one box.  I don't stream so a separate DAC is not required.  Most of my cd collection have been ripped to a PC as Flac files and then down loaded to a Sony HAP-Z1ES.  Currently about 3000 Redbook and perhaps 100 SACDs.  The way cds are being dumped I figure on becoming a buyer again so these numbers will go up.  I have looked at Marantz SA10, Esoteric K1 (lightly used), and Luxman D-10X, so far.  It would be good if the sound could approach vinyl.  The Z1 does up to a point.  Listening this morning to the same recordings, the Z1 compares to a high end MM cartridge, but not to a SoundSmith Experion.  Maybe I am asking too much, but in any event a new cd player is being sought.  Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bill
billstevenson
elliottbnewcombjr
5,515 posts
 
Just did what you are going to do. It got me back to enjoying my CD’s as well as my Vinyl.

I kept cost down by going for a used Oppo bdp-105. Good advice and praise for it here, many good reviews like this one

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/oppo-bdp-105

Also great praise for Oppo bdp 205, I went for 105’s lower cost.

They have very convenient remote volume, and ’Pure Audio’ mode as well as dual processors ....

For CD only, the full function remote is quite large if that makes a difference to you.

Laser Life: IF you go for a used unit of any maker: find out how much it has been used, the lasers eventually weaken, then you get ’no disc’, ... other error messages. It’s not what year it was made, it’s how much the laser was used. I had to return one for that reason, bought this one from original owner with very low use assured.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,515 posts
 
I don't stream, know nothing, but some Oppo's can be used as DAC I think.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,410 posts
 
To all the people here who have commented, have you actually heard the units you are/are not recommending or are you going by what you have read about them?  My recommendation was based on solid evidence and I have heard the Luxman and Marantz. No comparison to Esoteric.  Esoteric makes transports other high end manufacturers buy.  
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 
The Cambridge 851C is a very warm and nice sounding player. I would not buy a used CD player, lasers and transport repairs are often unavailable. 
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook's avatar
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook
981 posts
 
Ive owned a couple of Marantz (Pearl/Sa-10)and currently own both the K01XD and Luxman D-10 as well as Ayre Universal Player DX-5 and Oppo 105 + 205. 

Oppo Dacs are REALLY lame. If your gonna use an Oppo just use it as a Transport. Some of these people have just never compared spinners obviously.

Lasers do not stop working due to age or usage. They can crap out at ANY time which any CD Player manufacturer will tell you. Always smart to stock up on NOS Lasers while available. Super Cheap.
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