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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 2 responses by vonhelmholtz

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

I will post the required counter to investing again in a CD player.

First, you haven’t posted your system, so I have no idea of the quality, or even if you have a streamer/server, but assuming that you have a good quality streamer/server:

Ripping CDs is now a bit perfect process.  If a streamer can take advantage of SSD storage and is of good quality, you can have the quality end result of a top notch CD transport.

A bit over a year ago I decided to take the 4K I was going to spend on a top transport and upgrade my streamer/server and I’m very happy with the results.  My music is on an internal Aurender SSD and backed up to a Synology Raid network drive.  CDs are in storage.  All is controlled by my iPad.

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

As far as supporting artists, one can still stream and continue to buy physical media.
 

If you are willing to sell a car, you can attend a concert.  My kids like KPop and attend Korean pop concerts in Dallas.  A good, but not great seat is $300 and they fill baseball stadiums.  Front row center and back stage passes are beyond expensive.

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