Looking for a CD Player

@richardbrand “If you are not interested, stop commenting.”

Finally, you’ve done what I was asking from the beginning, instead of pushing your ego-driven word-salad.

And, just for you, I’ve added a close-up picture of the unit.

Just a side note to the OP. It’s never been easier or more affordable to try streaming. Streaming audio is a joy in terms of selection of artists, convenience and hi-fidelity. The WiiM Pro is now at $263 and some change for Black Friday on Amazon. Room correction, touchscreen and it can connect directly to your app. If it doesn’t work out, send it back to Amazon. Easy breezy… food for thought.

@hasmarto 

The only thing you list that comes close is an Electrocompaniet EMC 1-UP CDP which as far as I know is a CD player, pure and simple.

When I comment here, I try to explain my reasoning so there can be a sensible debate.

If you are not interested, stop commenting.

@richardbrand 

As I mentioned, I am not interested in your assumptions or insinuations. Additionally, it seems you have a reading or comprehension issue. Review my listed equipment, and in the picture, it is on the right side of the lower shelf, beneath the streamer. Our conversation has reached its conclusion.

@hasmarto 

"Now you’re trying to draw me into an SACD vs. CD argument".

Far from it, this is a question the OP posed.  Surely no audiophile can deny the sonic benefits of SACD over CD.

I have looked up your system and I can see no SACD player there.  Of course, you might play SACDs on a CD player, when they revert to being, well, CDs.  If they are about the same price as CDs, what is the disincentive.

Many years ago, the English comedian John Cleese was asked about the differences between the US and Britain.  He said there are three things:

1. We speak English
2. When we have a world series, we invite other countries
3. When we meet our head of state, we only have to go down on one knee

I would recommend Marantz Ruby sacd player buy brand new don’t buy used. This player is almost the same as the their SA 10 player costing 7k plus. The only difference the SA10 is balance. 

@richardbrand 

Now you’re trying to draw me into an SACD vs. CD argument. It’s not my fault that SACDs aren’t very popular here, especially with streaming readily available. I’m a senior and do own an SACD player (you can look up my system here), but I haven’t used it in the past seven years. This site is for sharing opinions and suggestions, not dictating to others. Please don’t reply to me; we’re clearly speaking different languages.

@hasmarto How arrogant and typical of this site that you feel able to dictate to the OP what they need.  SACDs have been around for 25 years, it is just a pity that the US was not ready for them.

You don’t need a SACD player or DAC. Instead, consider something currently in production with a strong dealer network. Personally, I recommend the Marantz 50n CD player, priced at $1,800 (the SACD version is $3,000). It’s built like a tank, sounds smooth, and offers many useful features.

Do not buy a used CD player.

If you are into classical music, I would highly recommend SACDs. They are about the same price as CDs, and almost always include a Redbook CD layer so they can play (at CD quality) on any CD player or transport. I play them in native SACD mode where they normally contain 5 channels of Direct Stream Digital (DSD) sound, sometimes with an additional subwoofer channel. (They usually also have a 2-channel DSD version). I do not have a center speaker and the center channel is automatically added to front left and front right by my AV pre-processor.

Over 6,000 SACD titles are available from Presto in the UK, and they also have a streaming service under A$20 a month which allows you to download, avoiding the issue of your streaming service removing the items you want.

The latest CD players I purchased are universal players and play CD, SACD, DVD, BluRay and 4K Ultra BluRay. They output over HDMI, so function as transports, and the DACs are built-in to my AV pre-processor. All 8 DACs handle DSD natively, something to really check for!

I have a very cheap Sony (about A$250) and a Reavon (about A$3,000) which is closer in execution to the famed but no longer available OPPO universal players.

The Reavon has two Burr-Brown DACs, one for CD playback, and one for multi-channel SACD. Unbelievably, SACD is reduced to CD quality when using the internal DACs. I am older than you, but instantly picked the loss of sound quality, which I have not seen mentioned in any review.

There is a cheaper Reavon which plays SACDs but skips the on-board DACs, but I have not used it so can’t comment on playback quality.

I do understand that many on this site will be horrified by my suggestions! No streaming service that I am aware of provides the full resolution of either SACD or 4K. If a recording engineer has gone to the expense and trouble of recording 5 channels, why throw 3 away! And there are newer recordings coming out in more than 5 channels, such as 2L,no and their Atmos sound-only disks (Grammy award winners)

OP I think audiotroy just offered you a great CD player at your stated budget price???

If all you want is to play CDs, this new CDP from Exposure might work for you.

It uses old, 1990s tech with a CD only Sony transport and Burr-Brown PCM1704 multibit DACs and is a top loader, at just $3000. Here's a review of it and here's a video review of it:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewozXatHERA (it's a very British take on it).

I haven't heard it myself but noticed the sliding door sounded a bit tinny on the video but that was on YouTube and through my computer system set up. There'll be more reviews coming soon as it's the new kid on the block.

All the best,
Nonoise

76 yo: I have owned many hi-end CD transports and players over the decades. Several years ago I got a great deal on an Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 for $1000. Recently I replaced a Audiolab 6000CDT transport with a Shanling ET3 transport MSRP $729. It is an absolute bargain, but if you want to keep it simple go to Shanling.com where you can buy direct a SCD 1.3 to play both CD and SACDs MSRP $1279 No waiting

HTH

Rotel and Marantz, and others, make nice mid priced (under $3K) players that are more than adequate for daily listening. A CD PLAYER has the DAC built in. The CD TRANSPORT requires an external DAC. Internal or external DAC you interface with the player or transport. SACD, HD and others are enhanced digital CD "formats". A normal, everyday CD can be referred to as a "Red Book CD". Many manufacturers source the Laser and Transport assemblies from suppliers, as do many DAC manufacturers with chips. Which Transport and which Laser is kind of getting into the weeds at the 3K level, it becomes a marketing issue. a $1500 player is hard to tell from more expensive units unless you have done a ton of critical listening and have sound quality parameters (AKA Golden Ears). If so, you will be auditioning individual units.

@smerk 

There is a phenomenon here that when people inquire about getting a CD player they are told that they should be streaming. 
  Be aware that streamers are networking computers.  Sometimes there are computer issues that cause them to suddenly stop being able to play music.  If you ever had a printer attached to a computer that suddenly could not connect with each other than you know what I mean.

  I suddenly lost access to a streamer last week when the app on my phone stopped working.  It took me an hour to figure out the problem.  The latest Apple update on my iPhone disabled the app.  It took me another hour to figure out a workaround.

  If your tolerance for fun and games like this is low, I suggest sticking with CDs.

  Your original question has been answered by others.  CD players come with a DAC installed.  CD Transports do not.  And if you don’t want to play SACDs buying that capability is a waste of money.

  Now if you want to play CDs but think that you might want to explore streaming, there are combination products with DAC, CD Transport, and streamer all in one, at your price range

I second the Rotel RCD 1572 MKII. It’s the single play CD player in my system. It has a good DAC.

I would encourage you to try streaming. I’m over getting up and down too to change the disc. Old guys like us need to try new things that will help.

To start you can get a free trial with Qobuz (actually all services have free trials for about 30 days but I found Qobuz to be the best in my experience). Start with an inexpensive but decent Streamer and DAC combo like the Bluesound Node. You can find a lot of used ones for about $200 US. Easy to setup and use. The Node comes with cables to connect to your integrated amp or preamp. They have a BluOs app you can use on your phone or tablet to choose your music on Qobuz and run the Node. You will need a wired or wireless wi-fi connection. Once you start streaming you’ll never look back based on my experience with friends. So much old and new music available at your fingertips.

Once you decide streaming is for you, you can upgrade your system based on your budget. Now that I’m all in on streaming and ripping my CDs to the same music server, I have a Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer with a 1 TB storage to save the CDs I rip to the unit. Connected to a Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC. Bought the Innuos used so both cost me about the $3K you have budgeted for a CD player.

Enjoy your new musical journey and please share what you decide to do.

@smerk

We subscribe to Tidal as well as Qobuz (Qobuz was cheaper 3 years ago than it is now), at a cost of about 10 bucks a month each. We also rip our old CDs as well. We made sure we purchased very high quality streaming components and cabling in order to get the very best sound quality out of our streaming audio system that we could afford. The combination of #1-sound quality(most important), convenience, and ease of use, made streaming just irresistible for us at this juncture. We just love it, and couldn’t be happier!!! Happy listening

Now that you are tempted by streaming look at a Innuos Zen mini. It will kill two bird’s.
Qobuz is $12.99 a month. 

@kennymacc 

The cost of streaming??

Not computer or phone savvy - so all help is better for this OLD MAN.

@smerk 

We're senior age, too.  We got tired of albums and CD players, so we went with streaming all the way, and we love it.  We've never been happier!!!!  I understand you opted not to stream your music.  Just my 2 cents.  Good luck on your CD player search.  Happy listening.     

If you decide that you don't require SACD take a look at this Rotel.

I try to keep up on what's fairly new/good as my CAL deck is pushing 25 years now.

The Rotel is around $1500-$1600 with tax.

https://www.rotel.com/product/rcd-1572mkii

DeKay

Anyone know about this unit with a ModWright Mod, tubes ....

sony dvp-9000es with tube mod

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

We have a esoteric k03x for sale an amazing reference player 

Dave  and  troy

Audio intellect  Nj

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.

@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!   

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.

A DVD Changer can keep you rocking

some play Blu-Ray DVDs, SACD, CD,

often not mentioned, just look for the SACD Logo on the face of the unit

no mention in description, but it plays SACDs

400 disc dvd plays sacd/cd, seller says FLAWLESS

GET A BAD BACK AND KNEES LOADING IT, THEN A FAT ARSE NEVER GETTING UP

comments and help I got here

Sony xa5400es discussion here

note: they keep going up in price, I was shocked I had to pay $1,000 nearly 3 years ago

DSD Processor, not conversion to PCM

Better CD Sound, the search

You only need SACD Capability (super audio cd, read by a different laser) if you have or plan on buying SACD Discs. I had some and bought some more, but no longer, they aren't really worth it after the itch is scratched IMO. A standard CD, via great player, can sound terrific.

Lasers get old/weak relative to hours played, use caution buying used. And, they can go out of alignment, many used units play CD, but errors when trying to play the SACD version.

I went from a surprisingly great sounding Sony changer that died, CD only, to a Vintage Sony Single SACD/CD Player XA5400ES (learned about it here). I was playing almost all vinyl, until I got the xa5400es, now I am still re-discovering my many CDs, and buying used cds, used vinyl, trying not to buy anything and listen to what I inherited.

IF you do not need SACD, you might consider a CD Changer, I had two changers that sounded terrific, the Sony that died, and I kept an Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4 in one of my systems, they still sell it new, Crutchfield has good info about old stuff, Amazon has it, dual wolfson processors was why I tried it, found out how great is sounded compared to 9 others I tried (none high end expensive).

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-LESwRLiMqtt/p_164CDC34/Integra-CDC-3-4.html

My search's conclusion, it's a salad of ingredients, chosen processor(s), over-clocking, anti-jitter, proprietary filters, ... you hear and prefer ......, 

Unless you are using a separate dac, the cd player needs to have one built in.  

I have a Denon DCD-1700NE.  For $1500, it's a really nice player.  It has SACD, but you don't need to use it (if you don't own SACDs, you don't need the capability). 

Check out the Teac 701t.  Music Direct has a good price on them now.  I have had one since August.   Nice machine.