Seeking Budget CD Player Suggestions

His budget is limiting, I would try hard to get the existing player back to good health.

Has your friend tried one of these lens cleaner discs?

Lasers do get old/weak, not age, but has it done a heck of a lot of play time?

If he finds a used model like his, with little use, then he would have his old one for parts. Perhaps find one with missing remote for lower price even.

Is he handy enough to take the cover off, look twice, perhaps a can of compressed air, a speck of white lithium lubricant on the laser rails and the drawer mechanism.

Some models still have lens assembly kits, what specific model does he have?

New belts are usually available for the drawer mechanism.

I highly recommend this Onkyo 3.4. 6 disc changer.

I searched and searched, got help here, and tried 9 different players (used), this was the best, I have it in one of my systems. Had it in my main system, sounded great, however it does not play SACD (I doubt any in your budget play SACD).

Integra 3.4, open box, $300.

Download 'one sheet' for Full Specs Found Here

My conclusion: the sound is a combo, like a salad, of the dual wolfson dacs combined with: over-clocking, error correction, filters, brand specific gizmos like Onkyo’s VLSC.

This model sounded better than the 8 others I tried. IF no SACD is needed, it is a terrific sounding player, with the advantage of it’s 6 disc feature.