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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 tweak1

tweak1
3,685 posts
 
I bought a Oppo 105 new, but you can find used ones around $800. I bought mine strictly for hi-rez CDs as I had a heavily moded Pioneer PD 65. Eventually the 65 died. While I was researching what to buy I used the Oppo exclusively. Eventually I came across a little known Marantz HD CD 1, which is 2/3 the physical size of the regular models. It's built like a tank, handsome, and has all the current outs.

My Audio Alchemy/Pre has a built in dac, so I only ever used the HDCD-1 as a transport. It is quite a good buy at ~ $600.

I recall early reviews of the 105 saying that more exotic players used the innards but made certain upgrades, especially to the power supply. So I bought one from Ebay for < $200, which raised the level of the 105 to a point I no longer use the Marantz.

I have seen slightly used 105s for ~ $800

hth
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