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Is there a better CD player for less than $150 than the Onkyo C-7030?
- Thread starter 34dean
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I don't think you can get anything new below $150 that is going to sound good, let alone last. If you don't minding buying used you can pick up a Sony CDP-XA1ES for less than $100 that sounds fantastic stock and if you upgrade the opamps you will have sound equal to much more expensive players. The laser pickup is still available for around $20, too. I'd buy a spare.
The Denon DCD-815 and DCD-820 are also excellent players that you can buy used cheap, and the lasers are still available.
When you buy a new player, there are no laser replacements available for them, the manufacturers want you to buy the entire mechanism for $200. This is a dirty little secret they don't want you to know. If more people were outraged by this and stopped buying these players, manufacturers would start supporting their products again. Every time someone goes shopping for a CD or DVD player they should ask the salesman, "Can I buy a spare laser for this player and how much is it?"
The Denon DCD-815 and DCD-820 are also excellent players that you can buy used cheap, and the lasers are still available.
When you buy a new player, there are no laser replacements available for them, the manufacturers want you to buy the entire mechanism for $200. This is a dirty little secret they don't want you to know. If more people were outraged by this and stopped buying these players, manufacturers would start supporting their products again. Every time someone goes shopping for a CD or DVD player they should ask the salesman, "Can I buy a spare laser for this player and how much is it?"
Thank you, Dr. I had read some really good things about the Onkyo and I can score one new for about $140. I will research the players you mentioned as well. Perhaps I should also check out the Oppo players as well as the Marantz. Seems they are decent as well but def a bit more $$$.
Anyone else that can lend input, I would appreciate it.
vinyljunky
Active Member
I purchased a onkyo c7030 and I think that its the best cd player out there for the money. I am very happy with it.
1tumbleweed
Kozmik Kowboy
:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:
...and you would expect anything resembling a rational answer?
Happy trails,
Larry B.
I would walk if I didn't get one! They will get the message eventually. With CD sales declining I would think they would want to keep those customers they can.
1tumbleweed
Kozmik Kowboy
Your point is valid, but completely unworkable in today's sales environment. Let's hear from the OP how many "salesmen" he consulted on his way to a buying decision. Unless you're spending thousands of dollars with a "system integrator", there are no "salesmen" (or many brick-and-mortar audio stores) any more. Try asking even an earnest blue shirt at Best Buy, and see what answer you get.
I've been in and out of retail audio for years, and even I couldn't readily give an answer to that question. The mechanism just doesn't exist to find that info readily. And, even if it was, replacing a laser in a $150 player just isn't practical. Sad, but we have become a throw-away society. I wish it was otherwise, but it isn't.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
SoundOfSound
Super Member
This one has been working great for me. It will play any type of CD including ripped CDs. It also has a USB port so you can hook it up to other sources.
http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-CD-P650-...8&qid=1342570465&sr=1-1&keywords=TEAC+CD-P650
No Affiliation.
http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-CD-P650-...8&qid=1342570465&sr=1-1&keywords=TEAC+CD-P650
No Affiliation.
1tumbleweed
Kozmik Kowboy
The Onkyo 7030 is a perfectly valid choice, and a bargain at the price. IMHO, the only player that comes close is the Marantz 5004, which is considerably more expensive.
EDIT: I don't know anything about the TEAC listed above, but their stuff usually is decent.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
EDIT: I don't know anything about the TEAC listed above, but their stuff usually is decent.
Happy trails,
Larry B.
Wes_in_VA
Super Member
This one has been working great for me. It will play any type of CD including ripped CDs. It also has a USB port so you can hook it up to other sources.
http://www.amazon.com/TEAC-CD-P650-...8&qid=1342570465&sr=1-1&keywords=TEAC+CD-P650
No Affiliation.
That Teac was a steal at $350 and at $130...wow. I may need to grab one.
Chris Brown
Super Member
What area exactly are you looking to upgrade?
Do you use your CD player simply as a digital transport (digital out to a DAC elsewhere in the system) or do you use the player's analog output (using the DAC that is built-in to the CD player)?
Separating those two things might be a good first step if you haven't already. A good DAC is key to a good analog output since that is where the analog signal itself is generated. As far as improving the transport end of things... it's pretty pointless IMO if in the end you're still talking about a player that reads the info off a plastic disc using a laser on-the-fly. Nothing makes a better transport than eliminating the transport itself. Rip all of your music losslessly onto a music server, have that output digitally into a quality DAC, and you'll be good to go
Do you use your CD player simply as a digital transport (digital out to a DAC elsewhere in the system) or do you use the player's analog output (using the DAC that is built-in to the CD player)?
Separating those two things might be a good first step if you haven't already. A good DAC is key to a good analog output since that is where the analog signal itself is generated. As far as improving the transport end of things... it's pretty pointless IMO if in the end you're still talking about a player that reads the info off a plastic disc using a laser on-the-fly. Nothing makes a better transport than eliminating the transport itself. Rip all of your music losslessly onto a music server, have that output digitally into a quality DAC, and you'll be good to go
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
I'm very happy with my TEAC CD-P650 with its digital iPod interface and Burr-Brown DAC. Available from Amazon with free shipping for less than $130.
Compare specs here:
http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=C-7030&class=Compact%20Disc
http://www.teac.com/product/cd-p650/overview/
Compare specs here:
http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=C-7030&class=Compact%20Disc
http://www.teac.com/product/cd-p650/overview/
I only need the player for CD play. I do need any bells and whistles related to DAC, FLAC etc.
EDIT: Unless of course I can be convinced to do otherwise.
I admit, I am a beginner to the FLAC, internal DAC etc.
I do have an iPhone with music on it. Can I download music to it that will sound significantly better than a CD?
EDIT: Unless of course I can be convinced to do otherwise.
I admit, I am a beginner to the FLAC, internal DAC etc.
I do have an iPhone with music on it. Can I download music to it that will sound significantly better than a CD?
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I don't mess with FLAC and all that stuff, I just use a plain old cd player... a dbx DX5 and it still puts a smile on my face. Best sounding I have owned for CD only players. It has been said in some circles it's one of the most analog sounding CD players made. It blows away the Carver SDA-420t with the tube in it that I had before. Everybody that I know that owns one has no plans for buying anything else. It does not do mp3's or anything else, just CD's
