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5+ years old $5k player vs. current $2k player

Hi,
Been thinking the above question: which one would be a better choice?

Price for these older players (e.g. Esoteric, Wadia, etc.) ends up being in similar price than recent vintages like Ayon, PS Audio, etc. And perhaps even the Oppo as a transport?

Did CD technology really improve significantly in the last few years such that these "cheaper" but newer players will out perform the older but top-line players?

Especially player like the PS Audio PWT, the concept is certainly new (for CD transport) & the theory does make sense...
hobieboyca
rdavwhitaker
173 posts
 
Current $2k player will come with a warranty, and 99.9% of all listeners won't be able to hear a difference between the "expensive and new" player and the "absurdly expensive and used" player.

The other .1% are reviewers, delusional, or more likely both. ;)
rrog
1,958 posts
 
I would and did go with an older more expensive CD player. After much research I decided to go with an Audio Research CD3 MKII and I am very pleased with the sound and build quality.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Regarding PS Audio Perfect Wave, I have no experience with the DAC. The PWT I own and know well. There are several past threads where PWT users compared them to their older expensive/highly rated transports, most found the PWT a definite step above once broken-in.

The PWT has been sincerely wonderful in my experience.
Best Regards,
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Everyone will have their opinion, but mine is that many recent DACs and CD players, especially the more entry level ones, have become more and more lean and detailed whereas many older ones are often richer and more "musical". The technology has changed but so has the desired sound. So, I would think about what sound you want and then go from there.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Get the sony 5400, new, and you are set for another five years.
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