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$250-$400 CD player recommendations?

Am in the process of looking for a CD player in the $250-$400 range. Eithe new or used is OK. My preference is toward more detailed / spatial qualities, and of course good low end def. and non-harsh vocals/brass. I enjoy ambient/electronica, classical, jazz, rock, blues. Also, SACD, HDCD, coax digital out, would all be good pluses.

Have been reading the posts in the 'Best CD Player For The Money' thread and have started to form a partial list of specific players and some others. Would like to hear some additional input on what is the best bet at this point in time in this price range (the other thread is a bit older and spans a wider $$ range). Additional suggestions are welcomed.


Rega Planet
Cambridge D500SE
NAD C541i
Sony SCD-C333ES
Arcam
Marantz

TIA,
Chris
cdelplato
hifidreams
109 posts
 
I have had a Music Hall CD-25 in my system. And it is a very nice player for the money. You should be able to pick one up used for around $350. It doesn't do SACD, but it does do HDCD. I was impressed with it for the money.
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
I second the Music Hall CD 25. For the money, I don't think it can be beat. The Rega Planet is good, but there are so many newer players out there that cost less and sound better.
infinitebaffle
51 posts
 
If you really want the best sound for this price range here it is: Buy a used Adcom GDA 600 DAC for around $200 and use any cd or dvd player as a transport with a decent digital cable. This will WAY WAY WAYYYYYYY outperform any of the players you are looking at. In fact I have compared the Adcom to DAC's up to $3500. This includes stuff from Theta, EAD, Timbre, Camelot and more. The Adcom is better than many of them and just about equal to the best of them. It is the best deal in cd playback, period!!!
steelhead
318 posts
 
I would say the Sony 333 is a excellent non-fatiguing player for the price range. It has a digital filter that allows adjustment to redbook playback. It also has SACD and I just love listening to Pink Floyd, Patricia Barber, Bob Dylan, and Muddy Waters on SACD.

Try to listen to all the recommendations, but be sure to bring a couple of SACD's to spin and draw your own conclusions.

Have Fun
imin2u
392 posts
 
I highly recommend the Phillips 963SA ($424 delivered) for CD playback. The 192 oversampling is switchable and really sounds great. Some here have said it lacks a little low end definition but if you want that I would get an original Planet ($350 delivered). It is very musical and a bit "warmer" but it doesn't play SACD's and is less expensive.
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