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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).
hilde45

Showing 1 response by minorl

minorl
1,018 posts
 

I absolutely don't agree with the don't buy used policy.

There are some outstanding used CD players/transports out there that are under $700 that originally costs in the multiple thousands that will blow away many new CD players/transports today.

If you already have a decent dac, I recommend Pioneer Elite CD/Blue Ray players such as the DV-09, BDP-O9, DV 79 avi, etc.  The DV-09 and BDP-09 were seriously overbuilt and are actually outstanding as transports.  The BDP-09 and DV-79 AVI are great transports and also really good as CD players.  These are just a few.

You can get a working DV-09 for about $300.  it weighs a ton (so to speak), overbuilt and sounds great.  Doesn't play SACDs though.  The BDP-09 and DV-79 avi do.

The industry kept growing and therefore, it started out with CD players/transports.  Then Blue ray came into existence and many people got rid of the CD players for Blue ray players.  But, if you only wanted one for playing CDs, you can't go wrong. 

If your budget is $700.  There isn't a $700 CD player out there that can touch any of the ones I listed above.  And as transport only, I can tell you that I have tested many in the multiple thousand dollar range that couldn't touch the ones I listed above as transport only.

enjoy

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