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Help in choosing

Well, after being convinced not to repair my Jolida CD player, I thought I was going to go to media server with my Squeezebox into rDAC.
I thought I would get a low priced CD player to use into the rDAC and I got a Marantz CD5005 which sounded good on paper. Unfortunately I don't listen to paper :)
I also realize that I like to walk over to my wall of discs and look over it before choosing what to play, so I will use the CDP a good deal of the time.
Even running it through th rDAC, it is pretty unbearable. Rough sounding with instant listener fatigue.
Right now there is a SIM 260 floor model for $860 or I can get an OPPO 105 refurb (both with full warranties) for $960.
Any thoughts about these 2 players or other ideas under $1000.
I have had good luck with used in the past, but the transport I got used has been nothing but trouble. CDPs seem to be among the more troublesome pieces in the whole kit, so I think I want to go with something that is under warranty.
I seem to get the impression that the Cambridge Audio stuff has more than its share of problems.
I am open to thoughts.
crwindy
10 responses Add your response
crwindy OP
122 posts
 
This made a surprising improvement.
I have a Rega Apollo-R coming tomorrow, and I will need to decide which goes back.
Have others also had an improvement going from coax to optical in/out?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Sony HAP-1ZS. Nothing like it for the price.

I don't sell it BTW.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Kotta, I had that NEC.sweet little piece.
crwindy OP
122 posts
 
It looks like it will be a new old stock Creek Destiny CDP.
Still full factory warranty (called distributor).
Maybe not the absolute best, but pretty good, at $900 with 2 years of warranty, I don't think I can do better.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I've had great luck w/used CDP's. The oldest is an NEC CD-650. If I was to buy new, I'd look @ NAD's offerings. My NAD 521 sounds very good and works perfect except for the dim display. My 2 cents. Good hunting!
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Naim is so good that you wouldn't even need the rDac. A superb
component.
Any CDP at this upper level has a superior DAC and build quality.
crwindy OP
122 posts
 
I had been happy with a TEAC VDRS transport and the rDAC. The Teac has been to the shop twice in the last two years, and I won't send it back again, so it does not seem to be the tubes or the rDAC. The transport on the Marantz does not seem to be up to it.
I have been using the coax out. I will give a try to the optical out and see if it makes a difference.
Thanks for the responses and ideas.
After the problems I have had in the last two years (first the Jolida problems and then the TEAC) I think I need a warranty.
Most of my equipment has been purchased used in the past with good luck, but I am not in the mood for problems right now.
If I go used, what brands are most reliable?
From what I see, NAIM is high on the list, and Cambridge seems to be low.
Is that correct?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Don't forget that by exchanging the Jolida for the Marantz, you've removed tubes from your system and naturally the sonics will be affected.
I believe that the transport plays an important role with the DAC and the Marantz should be acceptable; are you using the Coax output from the CDP?

The rDAC may not be up to the task and this may be where your problem lies.
jaxwired
232 posts
 
The rega Apollo CDP is considered very smooth and analog like. Maybe give that a try.
erndog's avatar
erndog
261 posts
 
I just read the latest TAS review on the Modwright Oppo 105 which would definitely do it but way over your $1k budget. It also mentioned that the stock Oppo 105 sounded etchy at times. The sound signature of your dac plays a huge role too. I'm not familiar with how your dac sounds, but I know some dace are tuned to sound HiFi or super detailed. My preference is more of a relaxed natural sound. So my recommendation is the MHDT Stockholm dac that is in your budget. It is a tube dac and can be tweaked to your liking. When I first heard it I thought it sounded to mushy and dull, but after switching tubes and vibrapod points underneath it transformed it into sonic bliss: huge soundstage, rich tones, lots of detail but no digital glare.
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