The best CD player new or used for under 500


O.K. guys (you, too Sarah!)...it's time to upgrade my
CD player. Here's the requirements: 24/96, coax digital
out, removeable power cord, and under $500 new or used.
This will be used with my new MSB DAC III and P-1000 power base, so keep that in mind when giving me your recommendations. My first choice was the Cambridge D-500
SE, but I think it has a BNC digital out, not RCA, which
won't work with the DAC III. Give me your suggestions!
Ag insider logo xs@2xdave43
If you're using a Link DAC, then you need a good transport to read the CDs, not a CD player. The DAC replaces the rest of the CD player's electronics. The D500 has a decent Sony transport. The BNC is the same signal as Coax, so you can just get an adapter at Radio Shack. I have a spare Apogee digital cable that is BNC on one end and RCA on the other if you're interested. The best transport for under $500 is to find a Aiwa XC-35M or XC-37M CD Changer. They were recently discontinued, so you will have to look around. You could call around you're local Best Buy's and see if they have any left. They are on eBay a lot. $100 or less. You can use it as is, or send it to Stan Warren for modification for another $150. Can't be beat.


The Cambridge would be my first choice for a stand alone under $500 CD player new or used.

Sugarbrie is dead right about the Awia. Don't let the name fool you, this engineering anomoly is absolutely first rate, and beats up many transports that cost over $2000!
You may also want to consider sending your link DAC to Stan Warren also for some excellent mods.