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Best CD player (new or used) under $400?

ambient

ambient

Super Member
I was looking to get a DAC to my main system (with a budget of about $300) and have not found anything great. I figure I may be better off upgrading my NAD CD player instead with a slightly higher budget. The NAD is very neutral, and, in combination with my Maggies, a bit lacking in bass. What models should I consider (new or used) under $400? :scratch2:
 
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Depends on whether you feel comfortable replacing anything that might soon be near the end of its life. And if the parts (laser assembly) are still available. If so you might find a very nice piece to use as a transport and then when more money is available get a nice DAC. Otherwise look for a model that has only been on the market for a few years. You really don't know how much use/wear there has been. So newer might be your best bet. Guiller's rec is a good one. Rega Apollo at $500 used is a little out of your price range. But if you found one at around your price it's a good one. Personally I can't get myself to pull the trigger on used cd players. Not unless it was to be used as a transport or maybe less than a year old. But that's just me and YMMV!
 
Personally, I like a warm sound from my digital. Well, as warm as digital can be. I am a fan of the Phillips TDA 154x series of DACs. If you want an affordable DAC that sounds absolutely smooth and wonderful...

http://www.pacificvalve.us/LITEDACAH.html

As far as a CDP goes. Consider some of the older Philips/Marantz. They made some wonderful sounding gear, also great for modding.

Phillips CD 960/965 Marantz CD 84/94

Google TDA 1541, and enjoy the ride.
 
poppachubby said:
Personally, I like a warm sound from my digital. Well, as warm as digital can be. I am a fan of the Phillips TDA 154x series of DACs. If you want an affordable DAC that sounds absolutely smooth and wonderful...

http://www.pacificvalve.us/LITEDACAH.html

As far as a CDP goes. Consider some of the older Philips/Marantz. They made some wonderful sounding gear, also great for modding.

Phillips CD 960/965 Marantz CD 84/94

Google TDA 1541, and enjoy the ride.
Click to expand...

I just might check the Lite unit out....
 
Ausjoe said:
Depends on whether you feel comfortable replacing anything that might soon be near the end of its life. And if the parts (laser assembly) are still available. If so you might find a very nice piece to use as a transport and then when more money is available get a nice DAC. Otherwise look for a model that has only been on the market for a few years. You really don't know how much use/wear there has been. So newer might be your best bet. Guiller's rec is a good one. Rega Apollo at $500 used is a little out of your price range. But if you found one at around your price it's a good one. Personally I can't get myself to pull the trigger on used cd players. Not unless it was to be used as a transport or maybe less than a year old. But that's just me and YMMV!
Click to expand...

any thoughts on the Rega Planet?
 
Rega has a philosophy of analog sound through their entire line. The Planet is no exception. Smooth, detailed and well built.
 
ambient said:
any thoughts on the Rega Planet?
Click to expand...

The Apollo is better. I never owned the original Planet but did own the 2000. The original had a made for Rega Burr Brown DAC, 18 bit IIRC. All the generic age and parts concerns from my previous post would still apply. Otherwise I can say I enjoyed my 2000 and can echo poppachubby's comments. Though how that analog sound is achieved (controlled roll off of the top end?) I don't know. Hope that helps. Everyone has a comfort level with used gear. Mine isn't high with players. You may be fine with the idea. Course if the price is right...
 
statman122 said:
I too am very happy with my Marantz 5001, or you might look into the 5003 for 350 new
Click to expand...

Nice system you have there, I don't think there would be that much of an improvement with the CD-5003, but that is MO. It is hard to keep up with all the newer models, buy one and here is a newer one within a few months, go figure!:scratch2:

Thanks,
John.:music::D
 
I recently found a Denon DCM-390 in a thrift store. It's a current model priced at $350, has Burr-Brown DACs, and sounds great.
 
If I were currently in your position I'd save a little longer and go on the hunt for a used Rega Apollo, which goes for about $500. I've never owned one, but I do have an original Rega Planet (no longer works though) that I truly enjoyed, and no one seems to argue with the opinion that the Apollo is much better. The Planet had the now-infamous "analog" sonic presentation, it was warm and a little smooth, and extracted a good amount of detail. I think the Planet was so successful because it is so listenable. The fatigue factor one typically associates with CD sound is greatly reduced. This player demonstrated to me how much potential CDs really have, and it set me off on a journey of better and better CDPs, which I'm still on. :) So hopefully that gives you a small idea of what the Planet is about.

Personally at this point I wouldn't buy a CD player that's too much more than 5 years old, and there are some very fine players available in this category, especially at used prices.
 
I am a big fan of Denon DCD-3520 and Yamaha CDX-1100U. These are under $400. Like some cd players out there, these two uses a laser that are no longer available in stores, so keep that in mind.
 
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