Rotel CD Player

[Thrift-a-holic]

So I have the chance to come buy a Rotel RCD-955AX for very cheap. I currently use a Technics 5 disc changer as my cd player. I have been convinced to give a different, more audiophile type of player a try. Is this going to be the upgrade I am looking for, or is it just to dated?

 

[ke4mcl]

rotel was like audiophile a-la cheap. i havent been impressed by their build quality but have heard some folk say its ok stuff. i had a rotel receiver for a short while and it sounded great but was poorly built. it used a chip amp which may explain why it sounded decent despite cheap parts.

if the cd player real cheap give it a try but if its like more than $50 i'd say hold out and start looking for an OPPO brand dvd player. they arent expensive and i've heard they use really good dacs. they pop up on woot.com and such every so often.

 

[shimniok]

I wouldn't say "cheap" and Rotel in the same sentence when referring to their CDPs.

The 90's CDPs, I think, tended to perform well above their class. Mine did, anyway, according to the reviews.

And it's still going flawlessly after 10+ years so I would tend to disagree with comments that bring question to build quality. It is a solid unit and feels so.

I don't think you can judge the CDPs based on the receivers. I don't know about your Technics but I think the Rotel will be a quite nice CDP.

Michael

 

[mrt2]

if the cd player real cheap give it a try but if its like more than $50 i'd say hold out and start looking for an OPPO brand dvd player. they arent expensive and i've heard they use really good dacs. they pop up on woot.com and such every so often.

Don't have any direct experience, but they have a good reputation. Cd players are more than just the DAC. They do in fact have analog output stages that affect the sound as much or more than the DACs.

I know that Oppo is the flavor of the month, but if I were you I would give the Rotel a try if the price is right.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I liked Rotel players very well for middle class CD players. They sounded very nice and were generally reliable. Still do like them to this day. Never owned one but if one was available second hand cheap, I'd grab it.

 

[willyrover]

I have an RCD-955AX. Very nice player. Heavy and well built. Uses a Philips CDM-2 laser mechanism that puts the laser on a swing arm rather than a sled. Nice mechanism. Digital output means you can always try different DACs etc.

I'd pick it up for anything under $100.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

That player especially is on my short list. I'm nuts for anything with a digital out and one of the better Philips CDM mechanisms in it. Those are the best CD transports ever made by man. I still use an oldie with a CDM-0 in it and it's been a jewel.

 

[Tinman]

That player especially is on my short list. I'm nuts for anything with a digital out and one of the better Philips CDM mechanisms in it. Those are the best CD transports ever made by man. I still use an oldie with a CDM-0 in it and it's been a jewel.

Ditto!! :thmbsp:

 

[Art K.]

Good CD player...I have a Rotel in my second system and it's been running well for over a decade.