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buy a 'used' player no matter what. |
Forget buying anything Chinese!!!!! |
I'm also in the process of looking to buy a new CD
player that is easy on the budget. I'm looking at a Shanling CD-S100 MKII and a ShengYa CD-10 Tube CD/HDCD at nysound.com. Does anyone know anything about either of these Chinese players? I think the Shanling is the same as the Music Hall. Also has anyone purchased anything from NYsound before?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Rick Zerambo |
i dont know that its the best for the money, but i just went from the cambridge audio 640c to a b stock cairn fogv2 with upsampling option and am very happy with the results.they seem to go for about 750. used. i strongly suggest considering one. |
I haven't read all the posts here so maybe this has been addressed, but does anyone feel that the CEC TL-51XR Integrated CD player is best budget player for your buck? I know CEC makes good transports. I havn't heard this player yet, so I'm just wondering. |
Like I said before, an upgraded cdp is by far the best money spent in audio equipment.(Except for the Nuforce 9.02 amps maybe). They are absolutely awesome for the money. For about a 4k investment you might find yourself doing back flips in your listening room. |
Music Hall Maverick SACD/Enhanced CD/CD. Lists at $1500. Mine sounds damn good. Comes with good remote. Fab listening value for the $. I did not see anyone list this unit above. Any special reason if one only wants to invest $1000-$1500 on player?
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I've changed my mind in the last few months and think that the Ayre C-5xe is the best deal around for the money. It blows the Meridian G08 away for CD source (it has HDCD decoding which the Meridian does not have), and as a bonus it plays stereo DVD-A, SACD, DVD-V, etc, etc... |
Would you guys consider Sony X5000 over Rega Apollo?
Thanks |
I'm in with TexasDave and the Denon 1650AR. Glad to know my great deal is even greater than I thought. I might get a universal for the sacd/dvdaudio, but the Denon is a beast.. |
EastSound CD-E5 Unbelievable for the money!! |
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if we're talking about the money out, and the sound you get for it...the two hunderd dollar tivolli |
So, Jazze22, what'll it be? You've had five years to decide. Whatcha gonna buy? No more silent treatment, OK? Spill your secret! |
The best CD Player for the money is easily the Linn Classik for $1550.00 retail price. This may seem like it would make a dent in most people's pockets, but consider this: The Classik spits out excellent sound, and most importantly, it is a Linn system in one! It is not just a CD Player, it is a integrated amp and tuner in one! If you wanted to get an entire Linn system, you would have to pay several thousand dollars(at least). And the cheapest(only CD)CD Player is the Genki, for $1900.00 retail price. $350.00 more than the Classik!
And without an integrated amp or tuner! The Classik is truly excellent and a great value for the price. I hope some people agree with me. But if you want to get the absolute cheapest high-end player that spits out great sound, I'd say the NAD C521BEE for $299.00.(I own one of these, it is awesome) |
I'll just chime in and add my recommendation for the Rega Planet 2000 for the sub-$1000 category. Fantastic player that performs well above its price point. The Jupiter is even better (though perhaps not as good of a bargain) and it's quite possible to find one under $1000 used. |
Musical Fidelity A5 CDP has been voted the 2005 award winner by HiFi Audio. I would also have to agree it has stellar sound for the money. |
Oh, if you are good with bartering you should be able to get at least a 12% discount as well. I didn't pay 4k which is the MSRP, I got it at 12% less. |
I love my Meridian G08 for the money. It really depends on how much you can spend. If your budget is 4k I recommend the Meridian. Ultimately, you should go listen for yourself and see if you like it compared to other players.
Another consideration is HDCD. For me it wasn't an issue since I bought a Denon DVD-5910 to do my SACD, DVD-A, HDAD, and HDCD decoding. So I bought a machine from a company that put that much more effort into producing a CD player that is dedicated to one thing only, normal CDs... |
Take a look at the Wadia 830, Theta Miles, Naim 3.5 with flatcap -- all great from the late 90's, all can be had with the exception of the wadia for less than 1k, used. |
Wadia 830-less expensive than its siblings, great open sound, everything clear, good bass. |
The Onix XCD 88 is identical to the Music Hall CD 25 internally. Face plate is different from Music Hall. Other than that same unit and at far less cost than the Music Hall by about half the cost. This is one superior player for the money and can readily be upgraded for additional performance. However in its stock form, it is very difficult to fault this player and in my opinion, doesn't get much better till one passes the $1,000.00 mark. Also has the HDCD chip in it,very nice touch there. Have been most impressed with mine in its stock form and see little need to move further up at this time. Superb sonics, way above average build quality and at $299.95 new with 3 year warranty it is truly a no brainer to choose the Onix XCD 88 CD Player. This replaced my Arcam CD 73,Denon 1560, and eventually my Classe CDP.5. I am impressed beyond my most jaded expectations. Spend more if you like, but for a redbook player this is one of audios great present day bargains. |
I just purchased a Modwright 3910. It didn't come cheap at around $3400 but this player is worth every penny and I don't see myself looking beyond. It replaced a Cary 306/200. The improvement was not subtle. |
i too am looking for a new cd player and for the bang i am looking at the chinese players/ the xindak muse 1.0 or the consonance cd 120 any opinions would be greatly appreciated.thanks |
Nanu, Nanu! I am Stockhausen from the star Sirius. Here, music is transmitted telepathically. I am here to share with the GREATEST AUDIOPHILE DIGITAL ADVANCE from the year 2525! No longer will you need expensive interconnects, power cables or amps or speakers. With this new technology you merely stare at the read side of the CD and your pineal gland will transmit a wave that will read the CD data directly into you head in pure analog sound. Please paypal $1,000,000 to rusirius@lovecraft.glxy and for the first time digital can sound as good as analog. For an extra $100,000 we can attach Bybee filters to your frontal lobes to block out unwanted radiation waves from solar flares.
BUY NOW!!!!! |
I have recently had the pleasure of Kyle Takenaga at Reference Audio
Mods. I purchased a Marantz cd 17 MKII which a few years ago marantz was selling for 1200+. I picked it up for $350 (good price). Talked w/Kyle
and since the transport was the same as the Sony SCD-1 he reworked it
and I have a sound which compares or bests my records on a oracle
turntable and without any of the cracking poping and warping. Worth every penny and more. |
A preowned Marantz SA-1 SACD/CD player. I own two SA-1's and ditched every transport/dac combo unit in excess of $50K. And the Marantz SA-1 just an incredible player and will be sought after many years to come.
It's best of the best A+ sound & build quality. Retail was $7500 but now you can find them for a steal preowned under $4K. Which is a steal.
And this is a person who owns over 25,000 CDs & 1800 SACDs and every single MFSL Gold, DCC Gold and Sony Gold out of print CDs. |
Try the Resolution Audio Opus 21 - very nice. If cash is not an issue, then strongly recommend the Reimyo CDP-777 |
Hey Sammie;---I'm looking with proper intent,as well. 4/30/05 |
I've got to agree with Alpha3, the TRL/Sony C2000ES is very good. VERY good. And less than $900 delivered!
I've heard their Marantz SA-14 mod and it is much better, but more money, too.
You won't be disappointed with the TRL C2000ES. I'm very happy with mine. |
McIntosh MCD 205, the best you can do without buying the DAC and the transport seperately. Will make a CD sound as good as a record. Also holds 5 CDs. |
Try the Trl Sony 2000es. Very Musical and a great price!! |
Jazze 22,
I have the Sony DVP 9000ES and use as a back up.
My main system is:
Proceed PMDT Transport (Works Flawlessly)
Proceed AVP2 +6 Pre/Pro
Bryston 4BSST
Nautalis 802's
Transparent PowerBank XL
Transparent Reference Balanced MM interconnects
Transparent Ultra MM Speaker Cable
I read some of the posts and decided to due a comparison of the PMDT and Sony using Jeff Lorber - "The Definitive Collection"...I also listen to Jazz. The comparison was short lived. As one said, the Sony is lean and sterile...very little low end detail. The PMDT was transparent with great extension both ways. High quality components are worth the extra investment, although I to search for the nirvana that keeps me coming back for more. Like sand through your fingers.
Good Searching. |
For the money????? How much? I see a whole bunch of suggestions ranging from the couple 'O hundred range to the $5000+ . In my view you really can't beat a Music Hall CD-25 for a couple of hundred used and about $549- from Music direct on sale. Very good detail and presence competes handily with more expensive units diminished returns vs. the better units, but they are better. I have a slight conflict of interest here because I am probably going to sell mine at some point. Simply because, I have too many of the "ordinary means" types. I have an Audio Aero Prima wich I rolled the E88CC variant type tube output- the stock 6922 tube, Sovtek, doesn't do the piece any favors. The entry level AA is relatively expensive new however. Another one I have- is one my wife loves, but I niether like or mind the Jolida JD 100. If I could afford it, I would go with the AA Capitole but I don't think we are talking "for the money" with either of the AAs. In the $2-2.5K category you have to consider the Granite 657 its as good as $5000+ machines I hear the new everyday universal players are kicking some of our favorite "audiophile" brands around in shootouts nowadays. I may get one myself. For the TV of course! |
CHECK THIS OUT !!!! If you buy just a reular redbook cd player you are crazy....You put alot of hard earned money in to your system to get the BEST sound , Right? OK...guess what..SACD and DVD-A cd's WILL make your system sound BETTER.....This will be pleasing to you and you'll be happier....Right?.....I just purchased the new MARANTZ DVD-9500 and on REDBOOK cd's it's the Sweetest, most analog sounding player I have ever heard AT ANY PRICE....Plus you otta' hear THE STONES on SACD.....American Theater@ $ 1595....You get it ALL...Every should consider this option......Redbook cd only players are outdated.......You can't miss with this player...IT'S FANTASTIC...NO DIGITAL HARSHNESS...unlistenable discs are not only "listenable ...But a total enjoyment...have you ever heard GOOD VINYL on a top quality system.....this player will give you that same analog sound on Redbook cd... |
NAD 502. The best bang for the buck. beats the Rega planet/2000, Proceed cdp. Replaced my Wadia transport/theta dac setup. In the end the players/transports are going to crap out, since they are composed of moving parts. So I went with the 502. When it dies I'll buy another one. Used, they can be had for about 100 |
Absolutely bit perfect CD rips. Plus it burns DVDs. And less than $100. What more can you ask for? :) |
Tcscata,
You didn't say which CD player you have. |
This CD Player has literally blown me away. It is soooo analogue sounding (read sounds like music) True at $3995 it's not cheap, but it has stomped everything I've heard under $5000. It was such an improvement over my Audiomeca Keops, that even my wife commented on how much better it sounds to her (this is always a good thing) Besides it's also beautiful to look at and has huge WAF, to boot! |
The Modwright Sony9000esDVP. |
I am very pleased with my Electrocompaniet EMC 1.
The finish, the feel, the sound are excellent.
Has a professional quality to it.(except the crappy remote) |
Everyone has his opinion on this subject, and what is affordable to one is not to another. I'd like to recommend the very affordable Denon "Audiophile Series" DCD-1650AR, original MSRP $1,000-$1,200, but good used ones are available for half of that. They have "Alpha Processing with Real 20-Bit 4-DAC Advanced Super Linear Converter," 8-Times Oversampling Digital Filter. I have two (one modified, one stock) and have been using one or the other for the past two years. Each one gives date of manufacture on back (both mine are 1999). They sound great, are built like battleships, with serious power supplies (weight 26 lbs. 4 oz.), and work flawlessly. I've owned a number of CD players over the past 20 years, and I think you will have to spend a lot more to beat the sound of one of these. |
$10000 can buy a hell of a unit but it would have to been supported by more "hell of a unit"-units in order for it to be worth it, right?(dac/amps/speakers/cables, etc.)
And what sounds good to you , where you play it, etc., is what counts. So go to your sources for cd players and a good store will let you borrow the unit for home field listening and even direct comparisons with other players or even maybe some of your buddies' players. l assume you've got the rest of your system but no cd player.
l went through tons of players and all were tested at home but l wasn't prepared to pay $3000 and plus for a transport and seperate dac set-up, nor was l going to go by store listening. l ended up with a Denon DCD 1560 that compared better than alot of "high end" names and even Denon's top end unit---the 1560 worked well with what l had.(Tannoy/Onkyo/Teac,Preose,etc.)
Good luck, Lilfish |
Sammie,
Maybe he is still choosing!! ;) |
The next player I purchase is the best for my money. |
No doubt in my mind. The Musical Fidelity X-Ray is a great machine at a really good price. Looks and sounds very satisfying indeed.
Try pairing it with the X-10v3 tube buffer and X-PSU (power supply) and I think you'll be even more delighted.
I have all three and I am exceptionally pleased. |
Jeez, this post is worn out, does anyone really believe people utilize this info to make a decision on a player? Maybe they did 4 years ago, yes 4 years ago when it started, but certainly not now! |
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AH! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 with the upsampler and ediswan tubes is a real performer. The upsampler was worth the money. |
