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CD Players under $800, Recommendations needed. New or Used

grafxdesin

grafxdesin

AK Subscriber
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Looking to replace/upgrade my Onkyo C-7030. I am seriously looking at the Marantz CD6007 as it has great reviews, but wanted to hear from you guys as well. Any suggestions? I am open to used if it's a good deal, and especially if it's someone on here in bartertown.
If a CD player is $1000, I will consider it as well, just looking to keep it around $600-800 unless its a significant upgrade for the $1000
Throw em at me
 
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I don't know. Most of the time I use a Panasonic portable unit from 1995 and it sounds great. Somehow I don't think that is what you are looking for. My other unit is a JVC XL-V151 that I got off of Ebay for about $20 shipped. Early to mid 90s and sounds great as well...
 
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If you're simply wanting better sound, I'd recommend a separate DAC.

Several years ago I bought a Onkyo DX-7555, thinking that a $5-600 player would surely sound much better than the thrift store ones I'd been using. Well...................it didn't, and I came close to returning it. I didn't, and some time later read about how a DAC could improve the sound. Bought a Schiit modi multi and was blown away at the improvement in SQ.

Since there are now many more options since I bought mine, I wouldn't know what to recommend. However, I have read good things about the Schiit Mimir, and am tempted to buy one myself (to see if it would be an improvement over the modi).
saabracer23

Thread 'Worth an upgrade to the new Schiit Mimir?'

I’ve read some hype on this new DAC being released and the Forkbeard option. I am definitely not familiar with the Forkbeard, today is the first day I’ve read about it. Looks like it just gives the ability of turning the DAC into a preamp?

I currently own the Modius and use the balanced output.
IMG_8440.jpeg

I’ve seen some say that the mesh tech of the Mimir alone makes it a significant upgrade to the Modius. Curious if anyone had any thoughts on that. All said and done it looks like it would be roughly $400 shipped to your door with the added forkbeard. Is this a lot of DAC for 400...
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If you want a review of that Marantz... Marantz CD6007 Review (CD Player)

One of the things that I saw on the Marantz page was some reviews questioning the reliability of the CD6007. A few people said that it dies right after the warranty period. Overall, on that page it did get a 4.5 out of five rating. But I do like to start by looking at the worst reviews and working my way up to the best reviews...

Frankly I'm not sure if going with the Marantz would just be a sideways move. Onkyo had some very good CD players... Also if the Onkyo has digital output then why not just try a different DAC with it...
 
I’ve had two Sony’s, one good and one bad. Two Nakamichi’s, both bad. And 10 Marantz. All good, not one problem. I’m still using an old one in the basement. It’s at least 20 years old and still works fine. I wouldn’t buy anything but Marantz. The 6007 you’re considering has been around long enough for Marantz to get any problems resolved. I wouldn’t even hesitate.
 
I have two Yamaha players (CD-S300 and CD-S303) which are nothing special at all, I have two Rotel CD-11 Tribute Models (now named the CD-11 MKII) which have excellent sound - much better internal DAC implementation than my Yamaha players, and they come in black or silver to suit your taste.

www.rotel.com

CD11MKII

The CD11MKII CD Player furthers Rotel’s 30+ year legacy of delivering high performance, high value CD players. The player’s heavy steel chassis supports a proprietary Rotel disc transport exclusively for the playback of compact discs. The CD 11MKII’s smooth, tray-loading mechanism, precise laser...
www.rotel.com www.rotel.com
 
Thank you everyone, the Onkyo still works and does have a Digital out so a new DAC is a great option, one I didn't think of till now. I am looking to improve SQ and was just gonna use the Onkyo as a back-up player.
Suggestions for DAC's in that same price range?
Already looking into the Schiit Mimir, I do know they make good equipment.
 
Sony XA5400ES (used) is available in that price range. It's a sonic wonder and built very well. Upsamples CD into DSD before D/A conversion. Read the huge thread on AGon for more reviews and input. I'll never sell mine.

jblnut
 
I'll echo what others are saying here, that you're better off with a cheaper player and then spending the difference on a DAC. I recently replaced an old player that was starting to have issues, though in my case I needed an all-in-one, DVD player type solution. These kinds of things tend to be the one thing (other than phono carts) that I like to buy new, rather than used, but against my better judgement, I bought an old Oppo BDP 93 player, which so far has turned out to be a really good purchase and plays pretty much everything, including Blue Ray and SACD disks (though I really don't care so much about the SACD part of it). It cost me $250 and with my Chord Qutest DAC, it seems like the sound might be a bit better than with my old Denon player, though I know that the contribution of the transport is an open question.

It seems like you could probably get a decent player (maybe a used one?) and have a budget for a decent DAC, though I can really offer suggestions as far as that, but it seems like there are many options.
 
grafxdesin said:
Thank you everyone, the Onkyo still works and does have a Digital out so a new DAC is a great option, one I didn't think of till now. I am looking to improve SQ and was just gonna use the Onkyo as a back-up player.
Suggestions for DAC's in that same price range?
Already looking into the Schiit Mimir, I do know they make good equipment.
Click to expand...
For $299 with a 5 year warranty the Mimir is excellent (I just bought one).
 
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I just swapped out the Yamaha CD-S300 that I've had in my family room for my older Cambridge Audio ACX35 player: Set up is Onkyo M-508 amp, Parasound P6 preamp, Magnum Dynalab DT-5 tuner and Dynaco A25 speakers. Wow that Yammy really sucks compared to the AXC35- it had no bass, and very forward mid range (on A25's? wtf ????). The ACX35 is well balanced with good bass and mellow mid range/highs like the A-25's should have. I think both my CD-S300 and S-303 are going on craigslist soon.
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