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Buying expensive used CD player/transp = bad idea?

Hello Everyone,

I wonder what is your say(from your experience) about
buying a second hand "hi end" cd player or transport.
As far as I know the optical block(laser) in even the best cd transports(like Philips Pro)are good for 5000-6000 playing hours and after that must be replaced.
Purchasing 4-5 years old Hi End CD player which may have accumulated nearly 80-90% of above stated figure seems to me as an absurd.
Of course,laser block can be replaced,but is it always available??(might be discontinued)
and what the cost is? + the hassle of the whole procedure.
Going for more affordable(brand new) cd transport and spending the big money for top class DAC seems to be a better idea.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Thank you.
kdbg00
usblues
1,217 posts
 
If you can't confirm the life history of an older expensive player dont do it.If you can do it,there fine on all levels compared to all others regardless of age,YMMV,Bob
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Unlike speakers and amplifiers ...CD audio players have made a fair bit of progress. Anything since the late 90's will tend to be better than vintage gear (in general). I would not recommend buying anything too old for a big price tag unless you just like the idea of owning a piece of nostalgia. In another sense, CD is about to die and PC audio with DAC's is probably the future so why buy something that is likely to be even less desirable in five years.
larryi
3,992 posts
 
If it is a very expensive piece of gear, I would consult with the manufacturer about availability of parts or whole assemblies. Most long term manufacturers will have an inventory, but even that may not last. If you are really committed to a particular model, you might even buy spare transport/laser parts.

I personally think that digital is fairly mature technology and some older models are quite competitive. A lot of older DAC chips are better than what is currently available. Manufacturers have to stop using these chips when they are no longer made unless they have purchased a huge inventory or are making a small number of elite products. For example, Zanden and Naim use legacy chips for this very reason -- better sound.

Almost all manufacturers have to go with whatever chips and transports that are currently on the market. The priority for the chip manufacturers is NOT high end audio. Each "improvement" in a chip, warranting a new model, is usually emphasizing smaller size and lower power consumption (for use in mobile devices).
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