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CD player recommendation

Chris Brown said:
A CD simply being digital bits of information on a cheap plastic disc, IMO the best CD player is one that removes the mechanical elements completely, which takes the disc out of the equation. The audio information is not altered or harmed in any way by transferring it to a centralized database on the computer. After which you can focus on giving your computer the best DAC possible, of which there is quite a selection available. That would be the ultimate CD player, IMO, and the best part being that your CD's can spend their entire life scratch-free on the shelf after you copy them to the computer one time.
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I'm noticing that some of you who have switched over to the hard drive/DAC system don't seem to understand that many of us don't care if the CD is pronounced dead, and have no interest in the PC route regardless of what "the way of the future" is. Personally, I don't have any issues with storing, holding, and using the physical medium myself, and if you have a great CD player, I don't think you're missing much unless we're talking about hi-resolution files.

As for the OP, I'd look at the usual suspects: NAD, Cambridge, perhaps Rotel. If you can swing $500 to get a used Rega Apollo then definitely go for it.
 
Mr. Lin said:
I'm noticing that some of you who have switched over to the hard drive/DAC system don't seem to understand that many of us don't care if the CD is pronounced dead, and have no interest in the PC route regardless of what "the way of the future" is. Personally, I don't have any issues with storing, holding, and using the physical medium myself, and if you have a great CD player, I don't think you're missing much unless we're talking about hi-resolution files.
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I agree with your opinion. Everybody has his/her own way regardless of the fact that we understand (or not) other people's motivations. I've collected about 6000 cds and keep on the nice hunting, every day, in every corner of the planet. It's part of the fun of a collector, otherwise how would one possibly find obscure or forgotten recorded treaures?
 
Mr. Lin said:
I'm noticing that some of you who have switched over to the hard drive/DAC system don't seem to understand that many of us don't care if the CD is pronounced dead, and have no interest in the PC route regardless of what "the way of the future" is. Personally, I don't have any issues with storing, holding, and using the physical medium myself, and if you have a great CD player, I don't think you're missing much unless we're talking about hi-resolution files.

As for the OP, I'd look at the usual suspects: NAD, Cambridge, perhaps Rotel. If you can swing $500 to get a used Rega Apollo then definitely go for it.
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Dave you forgot Marantz...:tears:

I tend to agree with you and I really cannot think up some of this stuff...:scratch2:
 
In their respective price ranges, I have always preferred Arcam CDPs to the alternatives on the market. Not sure if there are any local dealers for you, though.
 
Old_Tech said:
Dave you forgot Marantz...:tears:

I tend to agree with you and I really cannot think up some of this stuff...:scratch2:
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Marantz right now is one of my front runners...as I want my friends and it seems to be the most likely best deal for quality I will come across.
 
Mr. Lin said:
I'm noticing that some of you who have switched over to the hard drive/DAC system don't seem to understand that many of us don't care if the CD is pronounced dead, and have no interest in the PC route regardless of what "the way of the future" is. Personally, I don't have any issues with storing, holding, and using the physical medium myself, and if you have a great CD player, I don't think you're missing much unless we're talking about hi-resolution files.

As for the OP, I'd look at the usual suspects: NAD, Cambridge, perhaps Rotel. If you can swing $500 to get a used Rega Apollo then definitely go for it.
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It isn't neccessarily a binary decision.

Many folks use and enjoy digital encoded music (or video) stored on various types of media.
 
dnewma04 said:
In their respective price ranges, I have always preferred Arcam CDPs to the alternatives on the market. Not sure if there are any local dealers for you, though.
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Dealer...you mean a new one? I hardly ever buy new. I'm always looking fo a deal. Although it would be nice to see one in a showroom.
 
Thanks for all the great posts. What makes each of these cdp's good? the DAC? what spec's to look for i guess is my question?
 
MeatInStereo said:
Thanks for all the great posts. What makes each of these cdp's good? the DAC? what spec's to look for i guess is my question?
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IMHO, specs don't help much in looking for good sounding CDPs. Some CDPs sound very harsh and others very natural and the specs could be very similar. The DAC has an important role but it is not the whole story: the reading mechanism is also important, as people point out the effect of jitter as some sort of fatigue, which is originated at the reading (or re-reading) stage. After the DAC, there is also a full analog stage that is better in higher models. The best strategy is to sort out a short list (asking for people's opinions) of CDP models and then hunt for these models (if they are used and cheap) or ask a dealer for a home audtion if the CDPs you are interested in are new.

PS: if you enjoy provocative and clever reading, try reading some of these articles on CDP performance and sound: http://www.lampizator.eu/#_CHRONOLOGICAL_LIST_OF_RECENT_UPDATES
 
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I thought a Sony SACD XB-770 I picked up a few months ago for $20 sounded pretty cool, it was a good deal, easy on my pocket too. Not TOTL so quite cheap, yet good enough to sound the biz.
 
hpsenicka said:
It isn't neccessarily a binary decision.

Many folks use and enjoy digital encoded music (or video) stored on various types of media.
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I know, and it's not that I have any problem with people listening however they please of course. It's just that I sense a growing trend of people who assume hard drive/DAC systems are the be-all and end-all and that people still listening to CDs do so simply because they don't know any better. Like all the different mediums and ways of building a system, we debate it, but they are advantages and disadvantages to them all. Some of us, like myself, just have no interest in changing over to a PC-based hi-fi system, regardless of the advantages of that approach.

Anyway, I'm steering this thread off course and I'm sorry about that, so I'll drop it.
 
you're not steering it off course by any means you are just discussing the pc/DAC solution vs. the CDP...nothing wrong with that.

Guilier....thanks for the suggestion. I have been looking at all the model you guys have mentioned and have been looking them up to see if i can get my hands on them and at what price. Yes, that def looks like an interesting read!
 
I'm really enjoying my Harman-Kardon DVD 48. I got it used really cheap. I use it for music with its optical (TOSLink) out to Maverick DAC and then the tube set of analog outs from that, to my receiver.

Great CD's sound, well, great! but it sure will let you know in a hurry if you have a CD that was not converted to digital very well in the first place. Mud will very quickly show itself to be: mud.

One thing I like about the 48 is it plays so many formats. (except blu-ray)

Its a cheapo rig but an amazing jump in quality from anything I had before (mainly a succession of Sony's).
 
I am borrowing my friends Marantz SA-1 SACD player....all i can say is whoa....

Its like there has been a veil on my music that I never knew was there until I used this CDP.

I just made up my mind...my player that i get has to be this or better....no way am i going with anything subpar of this.
 
MeatInStereo said:
I am borrowing my friends Marantz SA-1 SACD player....all i can say is whoa....

Its like there has been a veil on my music that I never knew was there until I used this CDP.

I just made up my mind...my player that i get has to be this or better....no way am i going with anything subpar of this.
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That one certainly has its fans here on AK.
 
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