How old is too old?


I'm not having any issues at the moment, but I'm thinking I will have to buy 1 more sacd player before I check out. I almost always buy used. So my question how old is too old? I see some interesting things that I would love to have, but many are 10 to 20+ years old. Thoughts?

secretguy

+1 jl35.  any time someone asks for advice on a cd player you can count on ghd to offer nothing but his love of streaming....

The largest issue is parts availability. as the drives and optical sensors age they will die and need replacement. If parts are available no issue. but as many have learned parts are not really that available for disk drives, especially older ones. Good friend has owned a vintage audio shop for 35 years he wont even take them in on trade anymore, he's got a mountain of top quality cd players unusable due to drives.

Google tells me only these companies are making drives still and as you can see on the list most of them are computer drives. LG, ASUS, Pioneer, TEAC, and Sony. There is literally a handful of companies still making CD drives and all the others buy from them. So regardless of what CD/SACD player you buy its probably got he same drive in it. 

Teac/Tascam/Esoteric  maybe your safest bet, they still make their own drives and they make some of the best avail. Noting they are all the same company. 

Any Model that is looked at can very easily be looked into for the overhauls that are able to be done to keep the Model in fine fettle.

If one is very lucky a Model selected can have a range of info extending to Videotorials showing exactly what is required to add Parts that are modern and are able to be exchanged with Olden Era Parts selected by the Manufacturer.

Alternatively the Models shortlisted can be selected only because of the Info that is available to keep them in good order.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/troubleshooting-cd-players.440522/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ6OJq8hEWg

I knew a repairman able to set vintage gear right at peanuts price...

He fixed my first Sansui...

But he is old and retired...

 My vintage Sansui alpha will go till after my death probably without  need to repair but i will no more buy old vintage...

It is useless now with  the offer in the audio market...