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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
subaruguru
1,375 posts
 
The new C542BEE in November. Hang on.
cdelplato OP
110 posts
 
10-16-03: Subaruguru
The new C542BEE in November. Hang on.

Any idea what the price will be? What will it have over the C541i ??

CD
mhedges
180 posts
 
Also consider the sony SCD-C222ES player. It has multichannel capability, which the 333 does not have.

Mark
shersta
140 posts
 
When I was helping my dad put together a new rig, I did a side by side comparison of the cambridge (which I own) and the nad (which my dad was considering). I found the cambridge a better player in almost every respect. The sound was bolder and darker than the nad with better dynamics and good detail (w/o being harsh or etched). The nad did a better job w/ female vocals (so maybe better timbre?). The cambridge, alas, decodes neither hdcd nor sacd, and its display bites.
socprof
37 posts
 
I second Mark on the Sony 222ES. There have been some good factory close-out deals on this one. I got mine for around $380 with shipping. The Absolute Sound recently recommeded this one. Supposedly it can be moded if you decide later to invest more money (which I might do someday with mine).

Tony
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