New cd changer?

A friend and myself also used CD changers, but large 100-300 disc beasts. Of those, among the many tured, the Pioneers offer the best sound by a long shot. With my Pioneer Elite 100 disc changer feeding a MSB Nelson Dac w/upsampling on, I get amazing CD sound. Though I've heard a single disc player sound better (a killer and highly regarded 64bit machine come to mind), the difference doesn't justify the cost to me, nor the lack of versatility. I suggest getting a local shop to loan you a CDP for home demo to see what you are, or more likely are not, missing.

Suggest you try the Sony SCD-C555ES. It was available for as little as $600, new. It was discontinued, but may still be available. I have found it to work very well as both a player and a transport.

HELLO,
I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ONLY CD CHANGER THAT SOUNDS AS GOOD AS A SINGLE DISC PLAYER IS THE ROTEL.(IT SHOULD AT ABOUT $700). SHOULD I LOOK FOR A USED ONE HOPEFULLY 3-4 HUNDRED? DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A AUDIOPHILE QUALITY CHANGER I SHOULD CONSIDER? I CAN'T DEAL WITH PLAYING 1 CD AS MANY PEOPLE CAN'T,BUT DO WE ALL HAVE TO SETTLE FOR LESS QUALITY SOUND? EVEN IF THE REST OF OUR SYSTEM IS GOOD ENOUGH TO PRODUCE GREAT SOUND?
THANKS,
FRANK

I can verify that the CAL CL-10 sounds pretty darn good by itself. I now have mine output via AES/EBU to a Classe' DAC-1, running balanced to a BAAT VK3i pre. It sounds fabulous. Both the Classe' and the CAL have co-ax, ST, and XLR in and out on digital and the CAL can output single ended or balanced analog. Oh and the Classe and the CAL both decode HDCD.

Acutally one of the best changers used as a transport is the cheap $99 Aiwa XC-37M. Recently discontinued, but there are some new/old stock on eBay. Also search old threads for information on Stan Warren modifying both the Aiwa and the MSB Link DAC. For the $400 to modify both, your system will really sing.

Anthem makes the CD-1. I believe it is a six disc changer. Tubed. Some people like the sound, others do not. Just a thought.

Like you, the convenience factor is a biggie so I use a CD changer: In my case, the California Audio CL-10 (fed into the Perpetual Tech gear). It sounds very good, even without the external DAC. It does not sound exceptional -- but that word tends to carry a big price tag. Most of the threads I've read here suggest that a single CD transport will yield better results. There are some great threads recommending units at various price points. You might want to consider keeping your changer for more casual listening and adding a single CD transport for more serious listening. I believe that will be one of my next steps. Happy hunting!

I use a Marantz CC4000OSE changer in my family room with Denon reciever. It sounds very smooth, very close to their single disc players. It has a coaxial digital out. Adcom also makes an excellent changer, GCD700 I believe. If you like convience of changer, either one of these players would serve you well.