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Considering getting a CD player (again). Used? New? Criteria?

After years without one, I'm considering getting a CD player. I'm not against streaming, but I have many CD's and would like the simplicity of just playing them from time to time. I probably want to cap my expenditure at $700, or so, because this won't be the only way I play music.

A few questions:
If you've purchased a new CD player, what did you buy? Why?
If you've purchased a used player, how old is too old? What factors helped you choose?

My concern with used is that the transport mechanism of older players will be getting tired, and this won't be knowable just because a unit "checks out" with the site (or individual) testifying to the player's working condition. There's got to be an average point for many machines to give up the ghost, mechanically (varying from machine to machine, of course).
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Showing 3 responses by mcstin

mcstin
19 posts
 
I am in the same boat and decided to try the Cambridge Audio CXC to go along with my Peachtree Audio Nova 150. I know I am in the minority here, but I am not impressed. There is no comparison between it and my Node2 streamer. It’s not an apples to apples comparison, but it’s not even close. I am going to do some more comparing but at this point I don’t see a reason to keep it. I am still within my return period.
 I don’t know what to try next. I’m feeling a little gun shy at this point, and am hesitant to get anything that I can’t return. There are a lot of good suggestions on this thread. I don’t want to spend $2k to get something that sounds close to the Node2. What to do, what to do?
mcstin
19 posts
 
 Apologies  if you thought I was pushing a streamer instead of buying a CDP. My point was the sound quality of my streamer is significantly better than the CXC. 
I would like a CDP or transport that sounds as good as or at least greatly reduces the gap between it and the streamer. I am hesitant to buy anything used that I cannot return. 
I don’t like to return merchandise (of any kind), but so far with  my experience with the CXC there is no reason to spend $400 and not be happy with its performance. I don’t consider myself “overly critical”, and my ears are well past their prime, I am just disappointed with the CXC. 
I have an old Denon 5 disc CD changer I am going to hook up and compare next. That may give me some perspective. I’m not sure what the next step will be.

mcstin
19 posts
 
I have a couple posts in this thread stating I did not like my new Cambridge Audio CXC after comparing it to my Node2 streamer. I have since had a chance to listen and do a few more comparisons, and would like to retract my earlier statements. I have listened to a wider variety of music and have to admit to liking it as much as I hoped I would. The plan now is to keep it for many years.
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