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Buying top brands's older CD players: Pros& Con

I recently saw an ad in a magazine audio mark for a Audio Research used/good condition CD-1 CD player; i might be able to negotiate a lower price It was reviewed well in Stereophile in 2005, but in the high end business that is already ancient history. However, has anybody ever heard or owned this machine?? Is the technology of the model and its sound possibly been bypassed by the newer CD players of the last 3 years. The CD-1 first came to market in 1995 which makes me leery of buying; I currently have a Rega Apollo, but want to make a noticeable upgrade in sound, e.g, smoother highs, better bass and imagng Thank you
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Hifiharv makes a good point about designed obsolescence. This is done to keep folks buying. That being said, I think the claimed digital progress is over-rated. I'm still very happy with a 8 year old CDP. I have heard better, but it would cost a LOT more money for a slight improvement. I did try to sell it a little while back, but did not receive any realistic offers. I've decided to just roll with it and enjoy the ride.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
The problem with that plan Jim is that by the time you would require the repair the parts probably won't be availible anymore. Manufacturers usually design CDP's around current drives of the day, they buy some to use as spares for repairs, but almost every manufacturer eventually runs out of spares and a new drive design is needed. Unlike a computer, you can't just put any drive into a CDP. So a new model will have a new drive, but if the drive dies in 8-10 years, there probbably still won't be a drive sitting around for a drop in replacement.

Designed obsolescence, they do it because it works. See, you are now looking for a relatively new model. Hence manufacturers will continue to make parts become obsolete to encourage buying new(er). That is not just in audio, we are in general becoming a disposable society.
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