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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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alexberger
916 posts
 
I use Cary 303 CD player from 2001 as transport. The retail price of Cary was $3500 back in that days.
It is interesting how do these modern affordable transports like Audiolab, Emotiva  sound compared old Hi-End CD players from 90x-2000x?
Regards,
Alex
antigrunge2
1,418 posts
 
Beats me, 

why wouldn‘t you just get say an Innuos Zen Mk3 and kill two birds with one stone?: top cd play after transferring to internal SSD library and top streaming including Tidal and Qobus capability, even Roon if required. And within budget
cer82
2 posts
 
Alex, I used to have a 90s EAD player which retailed for around $3500 as well. The sound was fantastic, unfortunately the laser was starting to go, which is the main issue with older players. Honesty my Emotiva ERC-4 sounds every bit as good as the EAD. I think you would have to pay some serious money to best the ERC-4.
mesch
3,506 posts
 
The OP has purchased a Cambridge CXC and a MHDT Orchid DAC. 

A great combination for the money, and beyond.
fredcdobbs
128 posts
 
I'm o happy with my audiolab 6000 CDT transport If I was going to put something together for under a grand, I'd get the CDT and add a Schiit Modi Multibit and a good inexpensive digital cable like a Mogami 2964 from Amazon. Total investment $825.
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