"BEST USED" CD player or players at about $1000

Agree with Jdub. If you have a $1000 to spend, I wouldn't go used at all. I'd go Oppo BDP-95 new. But then I have a bias that enters into the picture. There are lots of things I'd buy used (speakers or solid state electronics like amps, preamps, dacs, etc.), but I would tend to shy away from buying a used mechanical device such as a CD player or a transport.

.Thanks to all who responded so far!!!

GZ3827, Jdub39,...and Elizabeth.... What makes a used CD player more vulnerable to break down than any other audio component??. Turntable motors do not last forever; drivers and cross-overs can fail in even the most expensive and QC'd speakers. Amps and pre-amps are notorious for droppng a channel or two more than occasionally

Yes, Elizabeth.... with a CD player one has to be sure parts, lasers, and transports are still available before buying; for example Meridian no longer has lasers or transports for the highly touted and sought after 508.24 CD player, and that may also be the true for the Meridian 506. I came close to buying(and still may buy) a Musical Fidelity A-5 CD hybrid CD player first marketed in 1999, which still gets decent reviews. Also,a used Cambridge 840C is a possibility first issued in 2008 (with more features than I could ever use)

Maybe, the above members are correct in assuming that MORE THINGS can go wrong with a CD player. However,let's not forget Audiogon is an audio mart for used equipment with a large catalogue of used CD players,and other used components Jim

Tep, Oppo 95 all the way. Why take a chance on used when such a well-regarded player is available new for your budget?

-RW-

RW, Thank you for the recommendation Oppo 95 Universal player. However, I am not interested in Blu-Ray DVD playback or a Home theater set-up, just a simple two channel rig.

I do get stuff from Netfix, which is played on a 6 year old Sony VHS/ DVD combo unit. It is OK, even though the VHS mode has a tracking problem and can't be used. I can buy a Sony BluRay player at Best Buys for $99.00. So why waste the money on features that I will not use.

One thing is certain if I go used,that any used player on AG that is a few years old and is selling for $800-950, I will pay no more than $550 total including shipping. $550 is a not an insubstantial amount of money in today's failing economy, but worth the risk if the player sounds better than what I have. It may play for 10 years more without a glitch, or become a large door stopper in less than one year. It beats the alternative of paying $2500-$3000 for a new high end player, that may be only marginally better than the almost vintage player.

Sunnyjim I have just bought an Oppo BDP 95. Six months ago my Linn Karik Laser went and I bought another Karik III/Numerik. (loved the sound) The Linn was about $6k+ new and I paid $700 and they go on eBay for $1k to 1.4k.

The linn sounds way better on Redbook CD than the Oppo at least with about 100 hours on the Oppo. The Linn can not of course do the many things the Oppo can.

The linn of course at anytime could be a paper weight. I do see lasers for sale for it though. Oddly enough prices are going up not down?