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I need some CD player suggestions please

I am currently using a many year old Harmon Kardon 5-CD player that has served me well but it is finally time to upgrade. The rest of my system is a Pioneer Elite receiver that basically serves as a Preamp for the system. Then I have a Citation 7.1 power amp for 2 channels and then 2 more channels or amplification are handled by a Legacy/Cota 2 channel amp. The only amplification being done by the receiver's 140 WPC is the center. Speakers are Legacy Focus front and Silver Cinema II Center Channel.

I already have a Samsung 3600 Blueray so the new player only needs to handle CDs for 2 channel use. I have played around a bit listening to CDs in the Kardon and the Samsung CD/DVD player and I am unable to discern any difference at all.

So either they are both 'bad" enough not to show any difference or my ears are not good enough ( at nearly 50) to hear the difference.

I would really like to find a 5 cd changer if possible because I like the fact that it allows me to cue up a few hours of music, but I am willing to get a single if it really makes a big difference.

For budget I would like to buy used under $600. Is there any hope for me to find something decent for this price?
128x128edonsmith
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
You can pick up an Elite SACD player online from Audiophile Liquidators for under $500. I have the player and have been very happy with it. The Elite SACD players seemed to be a solid product. I picked mine up for under $250 direction from Pioneer, but I think they are no longer listed.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Your lucky day. The answer is a refurb Sony 595 from SonyStyle, shipped for $60. Best is that if you don't like it, SonyStyle will pick it up for free and give you all your money back. I know, you are asking what is the catch. Well only that you need to check the Sony site on a regular basis as these units come in and out of inventory. They go quickly, so keep a look out. There are many reviews of this unit, so do a search. I have brought five of these, three of them I gave away as gifts over the past year. Each person that received them loves them with no problems reported. Yes, it is a SACD, 5 cd changer unit. People have told me that most of the chips used in the unit can be found in Sony's higher priced units and many hi end units fro which Sony provided chips.
summitav
163 posts
 
You can pick up an Elite SACD player online from Audiophile Liquidators for under $500.

The unit you suggest is a good one, but anyone who wishes to do business with that website needs to do a complete google and proceed with caution if at all.
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
Summitav - I puchased a subwoofer from them and it arrived in a factory sealed box, but did have an issue. It cost me the shipping to send it back, but they replaced it with another new one after they confirmed the issue. I talked to the same person more than once on the tech line and he actually remembered our previous conversation. I'm not saying that they are without problems, just one persons experience.
djones1915
53 posts
 
I second the Sony suggestion. A big issue with used CD players is service when needed is SERVICE, and I find Sony's service simply stellar. They also make great equipment that matches or exceeds many other brands performance costing 5 to 10 times more. My humble opinion after numerous comparisons of my Sony CDP-1 & Projector VPL-100 & BDP5000 Blu Ray to other brands as said above. Simply a great company with significant research, distribution, service, & pricing advantages due to it's size that others cannot emulate.
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