2. digital
  3. 192024-178807

Looking for a CD Player

I am in the process of replacing my Moon CD 5 CD Player --- or might be no reason to replace my present CD Player.  The next CD player if purchased is probably going to be my last as I am a senior in age.  My wife and I are tired of getting up and down and up and down did I mention up and down to listen to the other side of an album. So, we have a number of CDs and frankly like the ease of listening to them.  Not wanting to purchase streaming music.  Therefore, we / I need an education on two subjects -    Do we need to have a DAC incorporated in the CD player and secondly do we need to have SACD capability??  Not wanting to spend more than 3000.00.  All the help would be appreciated.

smerk
elliottbnewcombjr
5,359 posts
 

your 1st question, need a DAC, yes, somewhere

a CD PLAYER has a laser to read the 1’s and 0’s and a DAC to convert them to analog line level signal.

a CD TRANSPORT just spins, it’s laser reads the 1’s and 0’s, sends the digital out to an external DAC.

some, not all, CD Players with their own DACs, let you choose to send the digital signal out to an external DAC, i.e. you can use the PLAYER like a TRANSPORT.

goose
689 posts
 

@smerk I am a retired audio guy who has a vinyl set up but listen to CD/SACD's amost exclusively.  I don't stream.  I have had players from multiple companies over the decades.  You don't need an SACD player unless you have a bunch of SACD disks.  Get an all in one player with the DAC built in.  I have had multiple  players that were modified by Modwright: Sony 999es, 5400 and Marantz. My opinion is if you can get an upper end Marantz that is newer such as the  SA-10 or Ruby that would be great.  Also, The TEAC CD player is reported to be very good but slightly above you price range new.  I  own a current Esoteric player which is my end game player at a significant cost.  Good luck!   

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 

It’s a lot easier to listen to them after ripping. And it’s easier to play ’em in a top loader. No waiting for a tray or mechanism to load and eventually break.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,782 posts
 

We have a esoteric k03x for sale an amazing reference player 

 

Dave  and  troy

Audio intellect  Nj

elliottbnewcombjr
5,359 posts
 

My goal was to find something I liked as much as my original Onkyo Integra DX-7500, hoping not to move way up high in price, 

When I asked here about better CD and SACD sound, OPPO was highly recommended by quite a few members.

I tried two Oppo's, nothing special to my ears, that's why I say 'preferred' not necessarily 'better'. I kept going until I settled on my Sony xa5400es. I liked a Marantz's CD sound, but it wouldn't find SACDs, and I wrecked it trying to fix it.

I bought mine used from a person not a store, once you narrow down your list, you just need patience to find a lightly used unit from the original owner. I see nothing but stores with the Sony at the moment.

Here's a DX-7500, everyone liked it here like they do the current xa5400. SACD's didn't exist back then

Onkyo Integra DX-7500

 

 

More to discover