2. digital
  3. 185874-183416

Ruminations On CD Players

After multiple factory rebuilds, I'm ready to replace my twenty year old Arcam CD-73 CD player.  I've looked through lists of recommended CD players in the $2000 range, and have noticed that some are all-inclusive while others have separate transports and DACs.  Other than ease of replacement, what are the benefits of having the transport and DAC separate?  Any recommendations on CD players in this price range?  I only have music CDs so don't need anything that can do more than that.

 

Thanks,

John Cotner

New Ulm, MN

jrcotner

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,770 posts
 

I went on quite a journey looking for a better sounding CD player. Then I remembered I do have a few SACDs, and now used SACDs are inexpensive, so I narrowed the choice to CD/SACD players.

I don't stream, so external DAC, versatile inputs are of no interest to me.

It became clear to me that is is the combo of transport, processor, filters, over-clocking, IOW, it is a salad of many parts that give the final sound.

I ended up buying and loving the sound of a used Sony XA-5400 ES. The lasers do get old/weak, so any used one, find out the approximate hours of use. Also, are parts available for that model, do a simple search on hifishark for units and parts.

My Quest, with help here, a long read, but much discovered along the way. It may be helpful to you when finalizing on a different unit.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sony-sacd-player-scd-xa5400es-yay-or-nay

 

More to discover