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Best CD Player for $100?

js bach

js bach

Active Member
In my continuing quest for getting the best-sound-for-the-buck in preowned gear, I'm now on the hunt for a CD Player. My recent purchase of an Adcom GFA-555II power amp is doing well and sounds great with my faithful Mirage M3si speakers.

I'm currently using a Denon DRA-625 receiver as a preamp, but will be acquiring the matching Adcom GFP-555II preamp for $80.

As for interconnects, Morrow Audio is/was having a 35% off new cables sale and decided to try 2 pairs of MA1 interconnects... one for CD to PRE and from PRE to PWR. Got both pairs for $75 shipped. They have a 60 days trial so we'll see how they do. Current speaker cable is MIT Terminator 3 (network boxes removed) and used in bi-wire configuration.

Now, as for CD players, I can get (locally) a Rotel RCD-855 for $95. Seller is the original owner in excellent condition with remote.

Am I going to beat that anywhere else? Is there anything else that sounds better than the RCD-855 for under $100? Would the 855 match well with the rest of the system?
 
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A higher-end DVD/media player being traded-up for Blu-Ray by a previous owner. Look for the premium end of the usual suspects like Pioneer Elite, Onkyo Integra, Sony ES, ect.
 
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If 100 $ is your budget, the best is to look locally for used CDPs in your price range, and eventually ask here. There are too many good sounding CDPs to list that may be available in your price range. At that level, brand names may help. Rotel should be fine. Other brands that I would look for are Cambridge Audio, Arcam and Rega. Also Philips/Magnavox made in Belgium and Denon DCD-XYWZ (that is four digits).
 
Whether you can beat that price depends largely on your local market, and how long you are willing to be patient until you run across something that fills the bill.
I, too, was looking for a decent cdp. Not super actively, but always on my mind and keeping an eye out. Been a present part of the mindset for a year or so actually. About 3 weeks ago I finally tripped across an RCD-955AX for $9 without a remote at a thrift locally. It looks good and works well, so I'm happy.
However, if you were looking for more instant gratification....then you are more into the CL scene or a shop scenario, which of course equals $$.
Given the budget, I can't add to the list, all of the suggestions would be right around what I would be looking at.
 
I'd recommend a Rotel RCD-965BX over the RCD-855.I have one,and it can sound truly excellent.From memory,it's list price was around £350 new,some say it's one of the best sounding Rotel CDP's ever made.
Very nice build quality too,therefore it's quite heavy,also has a coaxial digital output.You should be able to pick one up for well under $100.00 these days.
 
I found a very nice Sony NS3100ES for $70 locally. Great ES build and SACD capable.....yes, it was a guy moving up to Blue Ray.
 
Any Magnavox CDB series with TDA1541 chip. In fact, unlike most vintage CD players the Magnavox (Philips) still does not break often after all the years in service.
 
My experience with the vintage Belgian Philips CDPs was that the so-called "Green Pen" disc treatment and a disc stabilizer flywheel markedly improved their performance. A couple of the reasons why I sold one all-metal example and don't use the Musical Concepts mod'ed Maggy player any more, having moved on to a flea-mkt ($15) Pioneer Elite DVD media player. Best I've heard in my own sys yet.
 
sony6060 said:
Any Magnavox CDB series with TDA1541 chip. In fact, unlike most vintage CD players the Magnavox (Philips) still does not break often after all the years in service.
Click to expand...

I would try and snag that Rotel. Is is a nice unit and has the TDA1541A chip in it.
 
Ps 1

Does anyone consider the Playstation 1 to be an entry in this category? I know that there is great derision of the one review that compared the PS 1 to a $6k player. I can not comment, as I have never heard a $6k player. However, I replaced both a 20 year old Onkyo and a 20 year old BOTL Sony with PS 1s. Perhaps the replaced players have a values in the market of $25 each.
I find the PS 1 to be way more musical, warm and detailed. Currently listening to Dave Brubeck at Carnegie Hall on my PS 1. I find it very involving and enjoyable.
How would the PS 1 compare to the $100 CD players discussed? I also think, at 67, that it is fun to play music through a video game console that I would have never used for a video game.
 
sedond the early PS-1

Basically there are only a few of the very earliest PS-1 that sound good - but these are hilariously fine sounding for the outlay and only floating around by the millions - beneath contempt as gaming machines today and priced accordingly.
 
Ps 1

Yes. Both of mine are Model No. 1001. Bought them in excellent and good condition for $39 and $25 respectively on eBay. Have to have them in an installation with a TV for the display.
Purchased PS 2 wireless remotes and I am happy with them. Wondered how they compared to the $100 suggestions in this thread. Are they players in this league?
Paul Desmond's sax sounds beautiful through it right now.
 
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