New Release CD Players $1000 - $1500

The Arcam CDS27, which is a universal disc player that will play CD/SACD/UPnP Streaming/USB DAC is $1500 and sounds great. 

Thank you. Looks like a very impressive piece, especially at this price point.

Input 2 coax. 2 opt. 1 USB. Output  pair rca. Pair xlr 

Regarding the Ares DAC, what are the input and output connection types on the back of the unit? I'd assume one coax (RCA ?) input and one pair of analog RCA output but it's really hard to tell from the pictures. Thx.

I'll second the Denafrips Ares recommendation. I am upsampling to native dsd256 via hqplayer and it sounds fantastic. The dsd section is a separate set of discrete chips from the pcm side (which also sounds great). Also has balanced xlr outputs and a slim footprint. Hard to go wrong for $600.

Or check out the Denafrips Ares DAC $600. 

With the number of stunning sounding DACs under $1,000 now on the market, it doesn’t make sense to invest so much money in a CD player (in this price range, at any rate)?

Buying a stand-alone DAC and a CDP to use as a transport allows you more options to upgrade in the future. Unless you don’t have enough space for multiple components.

Pick up a Gustard x20 Pro DAC ($830) and a CDP from NAD, Cambridge Audio, Yamaha, Marantz, Onyko, etc. for around $300 - $500 and you’re all set!

I use a XL-Z1050,very nice player.

I had the JVC 1010. Great machine 

I have been watching this thread. I still use a now 26yr old JVC CD player. I have auditioned players over the years in 5-6k range against it. None made me want to buy. I only have 83cds; 3000lps / 2TTs. The on/off switch is not reliable; so I just leave it on. Actually, It sounds better leaving it on all the time. I use it to have music when I am busy and to warm up the system before getting into my LPs. So yes; I want to stay in the 1500 and Less price range. The JVC was $1000 new.

I've only seen a few reviews of the Hegel but they were excellent 

To me, the Hegel Mohican got an average review at best with its own internal DAC. A lot of money for a CD player with that kind of review. I guess the proof is in the listening for the prospective buyer. IMO

The Hegel is innovative in a back to the future way. They are focusing on doing one thing well. Interesting but at that price it would have to be really really great. 

I don`t know your taste, but if you like "non digital sound" that is neutral, deep 3D soundstage and easy to listen, I suggest to opt on discrete R2R based DAC + plus some decent spinner or a decent digital transport.

I ordered Denafrips Ares from Vinshine Audio for use with my smart TV and I A/B compared it to my all time reference players. There is something in the discrete R2R. Overall in tonality reminds me a Accuphase DP-67, but with deeper soundstage. The DAC part is clearly better than newer DP-500 or 510, That are inferior to older DP-67.
I have not heard, but Metrum Dac`s may be also a worth to consider.

just hooked up a Cambridge CXC and Simaudio 300 D Mkll  sounds great    thanks for all the suggestions

I know you said cd player, but the Woo Audio cd transport is excellent for the money.  Pair it with a decent DAC and you're good to go.

Nothing new between the $500 Marantz and $5000 Hegel. Maybe next year...

Not new to the market but, Rega Apollo-R, $1,000 new. 8742 Wolfson DAC, digital out. Basic, but nice sounding player. Listened through Primaluna tubes and Totem Acoustics Hawk.
I liked it better than the NAD played through the same system.

N

Nope. Just read about it a few days ago. Had a Hegel H80 and thought it was terrific including the DAC. But the new one is way beyond what I'm looking to spend 

Have you heard it in familiar system, or at least take a peek under the skirt?

Only that it only does redbook CD which is all I need.  Not sure it's innovative. Just a good quality player. 

Jl35,

Can you explain what`s so innovative in Hegel?
No offense please, but the visual appearance is mediocre at best.

The Hegel looks awesome 

The only new and innovative cd player I know of is the hegel mohican. But its much more expensive than the stated budget. For the money I would buy an oppo. 

Anyone hear the Creek Evolution 100CD ?

I don't know if anyone already mentioned the Marantz SA-14S1 but I heard a few SACDs played through it at a friend's house this past weekend and they sounded significantly better than his recently demised California Audio Lab HDCD player - not sure which model. It looks impressive too. I think he paid close to $2500 delivered.

Any particularly good ones you can recommend ?

the newer players are multi-disc and use improved DAC chips

I was only asking about newer because I'm familiar with players in this price range up until a year or two ago, and was simply asking if there was anything new to check out - it certainly seems there is not...I'm very happy with my Simaudio 260D (not Neo)

Why not consider older top players?

If new, then feel free to buy 8005 or some Oppo, etc. But if you add a bit, then for approx. 2K you can buy Marantz SA-1 (if you can find one) or for a bit more SA7S1 (also you must wait to find). These are a true S.O.T.A. players that most of the today's (price no object) best are hard-pushed to come close.
I`m not saying they are the absolute best available, because I have not tested all, but I have tested a lot...

 Here as in some other forums is a lot of dealers hype of their "latest and greatest" equipment that is ..........

Just my 2c

most of the stories like that I hear, seem to involve the source being an old CDP or an ipod...

Great story. 

Couple years ago at my Audio Club a major cable company was making a compare and contest blind test system save speakers of course , behind
folding panels . Lots of positive comments from forty or so Audiophiles present .
In Q and A after one guy asked what kind of CD player was that ?
Rep blushed and said he forgot his and it was a 25 year old Sony he bought
at Goodwill across the street for 5 bucks .

when a manufacturer, like Cambridge with the 851C, , lowers the list price significantly on a 5 year old player, I figure a new one is soon to come...and I do think digital has had innovations over the past 5 years

I figure a year is good to be proven and available at good used price

Regarding current production goods, I prefer to purchase ones that have beed on the market for a while, as opposed to current release. Gives time to prove reliability and to work out possible 'bugs'. 

Maybe they're waiting on MQA

With no new players in this price range, past 3-5 years, seems either a bunch soon or never again 

Cambridge lowered the price on the cxc as well as the 851c. 

+1 on the transport/DAC option.  I am interested in the CXC.

Been thinking that Kalali. The Cambridge CXC can be had very cheap now. 

I know the OP asked for only a CDP but just as another option, I think a separate CD/SACD transport and a DAC can provide an additional degree of flexibility worth considering. And it should be relatively easy to stay within the $1500 budget and get two great sounding components. 

you will need to audition the nad, Oppo & Cambridge - all are xlnt

Luckily, all can be bought with a return privilege.  Try to set up a double blind test, and start making copies of CD tracks for testing while you wait for them to ship. 

That NAD looks good too...I've lost touch with what's available the past year or two

What about an NAD C568?

Bill

Another vote for the CA 851C.  Yes the 851 is a few years old but still in production.

Bill

the Cambridge looks real good, but is close to 5 years old and curious about any newer models - I know older models can sound great...

not so much trying to avoid them, but I do not need them and won't use them