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CAL ICON MKII CD player replacement

Hello all,
I have an older cal icon mk ii CD player in need of replacement. While I really do enjoy its sound, I opened it up the other day and it looks like some of the caps are about to go. I fear it's days are numbered and I will be in search of a new CD player shortly. I am capable of the necessary repairs if I can find the parts as I have an electrical engineering background. Due to its age however, I am wondering if anyone knows of a current model player with a similar sound. As I've stated in previous threads, I live in a very rural area and the nearest audio shop is over 4 hours away. I know the best way to pick one to to go audition some, but I would like to build a list of candidates before I make the 4+ hour trip and come home empty handed.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am more of a vinyl listener, so cd is my secondary source. Looking to keep the price around $500.00. If anyone has another icon mk ii or cl-15 you are looking to unload, please let me know. I really love the CAL sound. It just seems to work great in my system.
Thanks in advance,
The skipper
skipper320
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I own and enjoyed the Icon Mk2 for many years. A warm, mellow cdp w/good bass. I presently own a Rotel RCD-971 which I believe is a superb CDP. However, it is an older unit and you may be trading one problem/issue for another. I've heard good things about NAD cdp's. (I own the Nad C521i and it is very, very good but the Rotel is better.) So, I'd consider the NAD. (542 older unit or the newer 545BEE or the current C546BEE.) If you really like the Cal., replace the parts needed but who knows if it will sound exactly the same? Certainly much more afforable unless something else goes wrong (laser) w/the Cal. Good Luck! Bill
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I should of said I owned the Cal. I sold it many yrs. ago, but I still remember it well! Sounded better than the Denon DCD-1500 mk2 which it replaced.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,085 posts
 
I replaced a CAL Icon mkII player that I owned for years a few years back when it went up for teh second time (had it fixed the first time).

I found players have improved immensely in the last 15-20 years or so and the Cal was not hard to replace.

I replaced it with a $600 Denon player/recorder initially and that was a big improvement.

I still have the Denon but play most my audio from a music server these days using two inexpensive mhdt DACs, a tube Paradisea and a SS Constantine. Both are top notch. The tube DAC provides the benefit of rolling tubes to tweak the sound which can be useful to get the best results in any particular system.

Bottom line, there are many choices to replace that player today that need not cost a lot. You might elect to explore teh music server route. That will provide some extra challenge to get your arms around initially but will likely pay bigger long terms dividends in terms of good sound as well as usability/flexibility.
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