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What is the best sounding CD Changer.

I am looking for the best sounding CD changer in the $250 to $500 price range. This is primarily for entertaining and background music with the goal of putting in 5 or more discs, hitting a shuffle button and getting 6 plus hours of music. SACD would be a plus but not required. Best sound possible at that pricepoint is the primary goal. After a frustrating afternoon trying to find reliable information on-line, I thought I had a solution with the NAD C515BEE but turned out to be a single disc player. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
128x128bcarr38
strateahed
304 posts
 
Notwithstanding Gandme's comment about the SCD-c555es superiority compared to the TRL modded 2000es (I've not heard the SCD-c555es), IMHO you can't go wrong with a TRL modified changer. I owned a TRL modded 2000es, and felt that it was one of the best CDP's for the money. Even though I didn't A/B the two, it was more natural and resolving than the stock Sony XA5400 that I owned for a few months. To me, the TRL 2000es was better at conveying emotion ... more analog like in its presentation. My recommendation: pick up one of those Sony CE595's off EBay, and have Paul @c TRL modify it for $750.

bcarr38's avatar
bcarr38 OP
9 posts
 
Thank you for the great comments and direction! I am off to do my research. Thanks.
gandme
212 posts
 
The TRL 2000es is a good player but you can pick up a 555es
for less and the build quality along is worth it. I did have a chance to A/B the 2 players and it was not close...the stock SCD-c555es was better in my system.
strateahed
304 posts
 
With respect to the SCD-c555es, it appears that the challenge is one of availability. I had a similar issue when waiting for a used TRL player to come on the market. Right now, there are no SCD-c555es units for sale here or on EBay for that matter. It may be well worth the wait. I don't know.

There is plenty written about the TRL units ... here and some over at the Asylum. FWIW, according to the Weitzels (Paul & Brian) they've done over 1000 CDP mods; and they very rarely come up for re-sale.
strateahed
304 posts
 
Correction: my apologies for missing the OP's budget range of $250-$500. There's a Sony 2000ES for $399 on Ebay. This is a very good unit in stock form. You could always get it modified downstream. Good luck, and happy listening!
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