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CD Players That Are Easy to Find In the Wild?

tlite

tlite

Active Member
Getting the bug to revisit my CD collection. Going to use an external DAC with it. Just starting my journey...

What brands or models are typically found in thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and the like that are worth looking for?

Also, when inspecting the gear, anything you guys typically look for condition-wise that would be a red flag?

Are DVD players also worth consideration (I'm just using for playing music)?

Thanks!
 
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Honestly, if you're planning to use an external DAC anyway, then it really won't matter too much which thrift store CD/DVD player you pick up for use as a transport.

Get whatever you find that still spins and enjoy.
 
Be aware that many (most?) of the CDP's out there only have RCA outs. If you're wanting to use an external DAC, you will need to find one that also has coax (and/or optical) out. CD coax out > DAC coax in. DAC RCA out > amp.

I used various Pioneer 6 disc cartridge players (no coax out) for many years, with nary a problem. When I got a DAC, I purchased a Denon DCM-450 that uses the same cartridge. I love the cartridge players because I can load by genre, and have 5-6 hours of non stop music. (Cartridges are available on ebay.) However, if you're wanting just a single disc player, as @benricci mentioned, it doesn't doesn't make much difference which brand you get. Just make sure it has coax out. ;)
 
rickb119 said:
Be aware that many (most?) of the CDP's out there only have RCA outs. If you're wanting to use an external DAC, you will need to find one that also has coax (and/or optical) out. CD coax out > DAC coax in. DAC RCA out > amp.
Click to expand...

I'd say the vast majority of CD players manufactured in the past 30+ years have digital outputs (either coax or optical).

There shouldn't be any problems locating one for the OP.
 
Thanks for the input!

Sounds like lots of options out there. I'll make sure whatever I get has digital outs. I know it's not a huge dollar amount, so not a huge deal if something breaks down the line, but anything (in addition I guess to carousel players) to steer clear of? Any particular vintages of CDP's that are better than others?

I know, I'm overthinking given it's basically going to be used as a transport, but even though it's a cheap purchase I'd like to make as good and/or informed of a decision as I can...
 
I have a Parasound C/DC 1500 that I paid $500 for in the mid 90's and has an optical output. Thing still operates flawlessly and should be in the $100 range by now. It is a 5 disc carousel though.
 
90's Marantz players are pretty solid, JVC's are underrated, any of the Pioneer stable platter models, and the Sony XA models with the puck make good transports. You can also get good deals on TOTL DVD players, which have better features, like a separate laser for CD playback etc.
 
benricci said:
I'd say the vast majority of CD players manufactured in the past 30+ years have digital outputs (either coax or optical).
Click to expand...
Over the years, I've looked at CDP's at dozens of different thrift stores. Rarely would I run across one that had digital outputs. Perhaps it's only the older, cheaper models that are being donated? :dunno:
 
rickb119 said:
Perhaps it's only the older, cheaper models that are being donated?
Click to expand...

I've looked at loads of charity shop CD players, too. I'd say a significant majority have optical or coax out.

It's a pretty old, or very cheap CDP that doesn't have digital out.
 
I've had good luck with Denon DVD players that also play SACD, DVD-A, and CD discs. Models include DVD-1930, 2910, and 2900 lowest to best. I see these pretty regularly at Good Will. The models above these are better but much less common and pricier. Besides, you're gonna use a DAC. Another plus is that laser replacements are cheap and easy to install, at least on the 1930 and 2910.
I also like my Sony DVP-NS900V (SACD and CD), and it's attractive. Sony BD players (SACD, CD, DVD, and BD) are also decent, but they don't look good to me. I'd stay away from first gen BD players, though; the ones I've used are painfully slow to read any disc, even CDs.
 
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I see sony 5 discs pop up pretty often around here. I've owned a few and long term reliability seems hit or miss. They are 20 plus years old.

I grabbed a early 2000s NAD off of FB 6 months back for 50 bucks and it's been solid, other than needing a belt
 
tlite said:
Getting the bug to revisit my CD collection. Going to use an external DAC with it. Just starting my journey...

What brands or models are typically found in thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and the like that are worth looking for?

Also, when inspecting the gear, anything you guys typically look for condition-wise that would be a red flag?

Are DVD players also worth consideration (I'm just using for playing music)?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes, a better DVD player or single disc cd player would make a good transport. I'd look for a later year model so there's more life on the laser. I'm partial to pre-owned Denon DVD players. They're well made.
 
Thanks all- I haven't made the rounds at the thrift stores yet but if/when I find something I'll post about it. Sounds almost like anything I've heard of from a reputable brand should work so long as it has a digital out...
 
Lovely topic!

Depending on where in the world you are, different brands and models will be common. Difficult to say.

I have lots of respect for Sony and Technics CD players and have bought, enjoyed and sold (with a profit) more of them than I can remember, typically $10-20 thrift store finds. Get one with a remote. If you’re in Europe, look for the Grundig TOTL series FineArts. Good stuff.

Also, steer clear of DVD players if you’re looking to play music. Some of them are slow, and while it’s not a huge problem initially, it will bug you out in the long run. Moreover, most of them are ugly.

The DAC chips in some of the (originally) pricier players are pretty damn good, and using an external DAC could possibly be just another link in the signal chain that won’t make you any happier.

Happy hunting! Keep us posted.
 
DVD players may not be ideal in terms of programming. Some need connecting to TV for making a playlist because they require to select from whatever is shown onscreen, and you may need a remote as well. Other do not allow selecting tracks and their order, full stop. Yet other, when you make a playlist, are too stupid to play two tracks seamlessly when they immediately follow one another on a disc.

For playing from start to finish any DVD player will do, sure. Even if they offer analog output only, they have newer and better DACs than ladder-style DACs on 1980s CD players.
 
UPDATE: Didn't buy anything, but came close. At Goodwill near my office I didn't find any single disc CD players. Lots of blu-ray players and 5 disc carousel models. I did find one that I came close to picking up- a Technics SL-MC7 but no remote ($20.00). Passed as early in the search and the thing was HUGE. Also not sure how reliable those 100+ players might be.
 
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