CD Player: Vintage or modern ones?

I was in a similar situation when my Audio Aero CD-player broke down. With (too) many CDs I was recommended to go for a used Accuphase DP-67, around 2008 considered as one of the best CD-players around. Indeed, it sounded really great. But when I connected it to my Merason Frerot DAC it sounded so much better. Obviously, modern mid-priced DACs are much better than the ones in state-of-the-art CD-players of about 15 years ago. So if you want to buy an older CD-player, focus on the quality of the transport and add a modern DAC.

My next observation was that all the CDs I had collected between 1990 and 2010 sounded mediocre compared to streaming them in high resolution on Quboz. So I sold the Accuphase, and had the Audio Aero repaired for the occasional time I want to listen to a CD that is not in Quboz.

Great advice Steiv......  based on both experience and practical capabilities (theory).  

Old school, look at a top loader Sony SCD-777ES or Sony SCD-1 ES, front loader Pioneer Elite DV-09 Fully copper chassis inside, and Esoteric (any P-01, P-02, or P-03; K-01-K-03.  These units are built like a brick and most of the new units can’t compete in the class with these unless you step up to the new Esoteric G series or DCS.  Break out your piggy bank for the latter of the two mentioned.  I’ve been fortunate to test and compare the units above.  In some of the older units, I have replaced capacitors in 1 of the units and believe me, it was well worth it.  Hope this helps for you and anyone else who is looking.

+1 decathalon1991

I have an older Sony XA series and also an older Pioneer PD65 and both are stellar tank machines with great drive mechanisms. Parts can be found but be careful. As far as new machines go, Jays Audio makes a solid transport (which I also have) that can feed the top notch DAC of your choice.

@2psyop yrs, I agree both are excellent units.  I have the Pioneer Elite PD-65 before switching to the Pioneer Elite DV-09 and had the Jay’s Audio before going back to Esoteric separate (transport, DAC, and Clock).  For streaming, I have the Reference Cary Audio DMS-800PV ( Dual Mono design) DAC/ streamer. I use Nordost QNET, and the separate power supply, the Nordost QRT QSource.  I’ve tried a lot of top of the line streamers.  This one does it for me.  As incredible this unit is, CD’s (Redbook, DVD Audio, SACD with Multi or two channels) still outperforms streaming at its best.  Now to be fair, streaming is still improving but I don’t let practicality govern my senses of better sound quality than CD’s.