Need help choosing a new CD Player


I consider myself new to this hobby although I have dabbled a bit over the past 30 years or so.  Recently purchased a McIntosh MA252 integrated and have a set of B&W Matrix speakers (1985 - 1989 vintage) that sound pretty good .  Looking for a CD player (prefer under $1000) to replace my current Samsung DVD player.   I primarily listen to classic rock and some classical.

For this price range am looking at the following:

Marantz CD6007

Rotel CD11 Tribute or CD 14

Pro-Ject CDBox S2 Chrome

My listening room is a little odd shaped (11x 16, bay window at one end and glass wall at the other end) and I have to listen across the shorter distance due to the room configuration.

Eventually will upgrade the speakers, but for now need a CD player

Would appreciate some advice on a decent quality CD player (at this time, not interested in a CDT and DAC setup).   Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 

deadhead58

@jl35  - Not disagreeing with you. Just pointing out that the Vault "acts" like a CD player and also saves your played CDs for future streaming. Streaming, with a good user interface, album art, etc., using a nice tablet, laptop or even smart-phone, can be really beneficial to many people.

 

That said, I have a great CD player - Rega Saturn-R and I highly recommend it. But I also have 2 streamers that I use mostly for internet radio (Radio Paradise) and music discovery (mostly Spotify). Really enjoy both. But if I had to choose one, it would be the streamer with a good DAC.

I see we are having a reading comprehension problem here.  The OP stated he wants a plain old CD player, not interested in streaming or ripping disks.  What is so hard to understand?   @adg101, why keep pushing something the guy doesn’t want?  Just because you like it, does not mean he will or even want it.  I would go with the Yamaha player that is around 1K, give or take.  I never warmed up to the Marantz sound, having owned both a SA8001 and SA8005.  Don’t buy used, many of the used players laser assembly’s are near the end of their lives and many are no longer available. 

I have 3 streamers in house reubent and enjoy them all, especially now with all the best of 2021 lists coming out, though I do prefer CD and LP to streaming...

@jl35  - Well, if we're getting down to overall preferences, I'm a vinyl guy too.

@deadhead58  - The Rega CD players are really good. I love my Rega Saturn-R. It's above your stated price range @ about $1500 for a good used one. Rega supposedly has a house sound, so @ about $1000, I would definitely consider the current Rega Apollo if I were looking to spend $1000 on a CDP.

Don’t buy used, many of the used players laser assembly’s are near the end of their lives and many are no longer available. 

My dealer won't buy or sell used CD players.