Best Used CD Player for $100

So my research has taught me that aside from a lucky Goodwill find, a decent Sony ES series player (preferably with the wood panelling) is going to be well over $100 in decent condition on eBay or Craigslist. Most people seem to know what they're selling.

I think I'll pick up the Denon for $20 and grab a PS1 scph-1001 from a local game store for another $20 and compare the two. Worst comes to worst I end up playing some Crash Bandicoot.
 
In that price level your should more look at laser condition. If laser is not in best shape (which commonly causes skipping on some disks), you will have useless piece of gear.
 
for_p1 said:
In that price level your should more look at laser condition. If laser is not in best shape (which commonly causes skipping on some disks), you will have useless piece of gear.
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No, for that price plus $20 for a new laser he will have a like new Cd player. Might need a disc motor eventually, those are $5.00. Don't answer unless you know.
 
Ditto on the Goodwill Pioneer. I picked up a PDM-4xx... Not sure what DAC is in it but it produces some nice warmer soundin lows to my ears. I was very surprised. Then my son took it!
 
Found a Sony CDP-C85ES- 5 disc changer in pretty good condition for $60. Would this be worth it/better than the Denon and the Playstation?
 
dr*audio said:
No, for that price plus $20 for a new laser he will have a like new Cd player. Might need a disc motor eventually, those are $5.00. Don't answer unless you know.
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I know what I said. Cheap Chinese pickup lasers are poor joke comparing to originals found in 10-15 y.o. players. NOS pickup can easily exceed $100. Just look at eBay for reference.
 
IMO Denon's beat any Sony of that period. Maybe is just my preference...

As for the Playstation... it is a POS. Much hype from people mostly used to integrated sound of their PC's.
 
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One thing you DO have to consider with the Playstation is that you need a controller to use it; there's no real controls on it aside from open/close.

I had one and it was OK, but the controller was awkward since I'm not a gamer and found having to remember what shape did what was clumsy.

The Denon for $20 should be quite nice. If it breaks, toss it and buy another $20 unit. Back when the Toshiba 3960 deck was the hot trick, it came out that there was no service manual for it. Basically, it was such an inexpensive item, that the cost of labor and parts would run more than the cost of simply replacing it with a new unit.
 
for_p1 said:
I know what I said. Cheap Chinese pickup lasers are poor joke comparing to originals found in 10-15 y.o. players. NOS pickup can easily exceed $100. Just look at eBay for reference.
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You don't buy replacement lasers on e-bay. You will either find the Chinese junk you are talking about or high priced used junk that won't last, unless you are very, very lucky and find NOS.
You buy from a reputable supplier like B&D Enterprises. The lasers they sell may be made in China but they are good quality.
 
My Denon DVD-2800 absolutely kills. Great "air" and deep but controlled bass. I have the version that does SACD, which I think was earlier. The build quality is disappointing for its original price point IMO.

I also have a Rotel RCD-855 which has a very pleasant sound as well, just a lot warmer. I would not hesitate to buy another Rotel single disc player. It's built like a damn tank.

Also backing the Playstation. To me it sounds very similar to the Rotel, though not built nearly as well.

My other CDP is a old NAD with a fussy eject button and dying display. I spent $10 on it. Barely worth it.

Cambridge and Arcam do absolutely nothing for me. Cold and bland sounding.
 
kenklipps said:
Found a Sony CDP-C85ES- 5 disc changer in pretty good condition for $60. Would this be worth it/better than the Denon and the Playstation?
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That one uses a KSS240A laser. It's on backorder at B&D Enterprises, which means it may no longer be available. As far as sound goes I have had good luck with the Sony ES 5 disc changers and they are reliable. If it's $25 and you don't mind a 5 disc changer, grab it and keep checking B&D Enterprises for a KSS240A. If they come in, buy one so you have a spare. Right now the only pickups they stock is a KSS213C, and KSS-1000E, whatever that is for. If I were buying a used player now I would get one that uses a KSS213. the DCD-815 uses a KSS213, the DCD-615 uses a KSS240. I saw somewhere that the KSS240 can replace the KSS213, some guy tried it and it worked well. I don't know if it works the other way around. The KSS240 has focus error, tracking error and laser current adjustments on it. The KSS213 has no adjustments but most likely has fixed resistor values. In theory it should work.
 
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dr*audio said:
You don't buy replacement lasers on e-bay. You will either find the Chinese junk you are talking about or high priced used junk that won't last, unless you are very, very lucky and find NOS.
You buy from a reputable supplier like B&D Enterprises. The lasers they sell may be made in China but they are good quality.
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Right, but you also mentioned that they have almost nothing in stock. This means that e-bay is the only real option. And usually you can identify NOS unit - by price. Sellers ask 5 to 10 times more for it.
 
Okay, so I picked up a Playstation 1001 model w/ a PS2 remote at Game Dude (basically the Amoeba Records of vintage videogames) for $23 and it is actually surprisingly nice. I definitely think the low end could be a bit tighter and there could be more highs but overall its surprisingly good.

I also happened to find a Sony CDP-X202ES on Craigslist for $50. I'm seeing it unfortunately has the currently backordered KSS-240A laser and the CXD2562Q (Pulse) DAC chip, which I haven't heard anything about. It comes with the remote. Is this one worth going for?
 
botrytis said:
I find most new CD players (DVD and universal players) better than any older models. This is do to improvement in the DACs and the rest of the circuitry. Most older CD players (especially from the 80's) sound well digital - lifeless if you want to put a description to it.
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I find it the complete opposite... never have heard a modern dac or an expensive modern DVD/SACD player that can compete with the likes of a 1986,22 kg NEC CD-903 CDP... they don't even come close!
After all,even new mid-range DVD players and/or CDP's weigh in at only a couple kg's,and have cheap throwaway build quality!
Although,at least Accuphase are still manufacturing nice n' heavy hi-end ones!
 
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My $.02, pick up a Sony DVP NS 900V and never look back. Retailed for $1000 new, can usually be had for under $80, just saw one sell with the correct remote for $56 on eBay. The 900 also plays SACD's and is no slouch as a DVD player either.

Back when this player was new I wanted one but opted for the highly acclaimed DVP NS 500V, the 900's little brother. The 500 was favorably compared with the Rega Planet at the time so I figured why bother with the 900 if the cheaper unit was so good, save a bunch of do re me you know. Well, I now own 2 of the 900's and my son is enjoying the 500, the 900 CRUSHES the 500, it's like night and day. Theyre built like tanks and look great too, especially in silver if you can find one, mine are both black.

Martin

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kenklipps said:
Okay, so I picked up a Playstation 1001 model w/ a PS2 remote at Game Dude (basically the Amoeba Records of vintage videogames) for $23 and it is actually surprisingly nice. I definitely think the low end could be a bit tighter and there could be more highs but overall its surprisingly good.

I also happened to find a Sony CDP-X202ES on Craigslist for $50. I'm seeing it unfortunately has the currently backordered KSS-240A laser and the CXD2562Q (Pulse) DAC chip, which I haven't heard anything about. It comes with the remote. Is this one worth going for?
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I am not sure how the Pulse DAC sounds. My CDP-XA1ES has an Advanced Pulse DAC and it sounds wonderful, so the normal Pulse DAC may be good as well. So far I have liked every Sony ES player I have heard. OTOH, if you go on E-Bay you can get the CDP-XA1ES and it uses the KSS213 pickup which is still available.
 
My Tascam CD-401mkII is the best CD player I've owned to date. It retailed for over $500. I bought it in need of a belt for $48.00 delivered. The belt was $10. It blows my Nakamichi CD-4 away. I gave $85.00 for the CD-4.

The Tascam is magnificent. It uses the 151A pick that is no longer made. I wouldn't let this discourage someone from buying one. Take the risk of it dying, just to hear one. It was used in the high players in the late 80s and 90s.

The Nak CD-4 is pretty nice, too. It retail for $280, IIRC. The laser is still made for it.
 
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BigElCat said:
My Tascam CD-401mkII is the best CD player I've owned to date.
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It has one of the first generation of noise-shapers from Phillips (SAA7350), when they tried to cut production costs of their legendary TDA1541A . Didn't hear it but I am sure it will not impress me - similar to PlayStation SCPH-1001 that uses also a first generation noise-shaper from AKM (AK4309AVM).
I am not going to debate but Nakaka CD-4 has good chances to be the better sounding one there. Maybe your player needs new capacitors on the power supply - well known issue on Naka CD-4.

PS: The PS1 article was run first on an obscure side, more like a tongue-in-check. People took it seriously and since then... the story never died. Even after real measurements where performed:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/sony-playstation-1-cd-player-measurements
 
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I don't use the onboard "sound shapers". I was comparing the two using the same external DAC and cable.

IMHO, the pick up contributes to sound quality.

Recapping the Nak is a good suggestion.
 
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