Time For a CD Player Upgrade

The EAR Acute is a model I have heard as the supplied model and one having been experienced whilst undergoing Tube Rolling.

Additionally, I have also been present whilst a selection of Interconnects have been tried out.

There is a substantial gain to be had by doing such things, and the supplied version blew me away when first heard in the system it was demo'd in.  

One CDP not commonly referred to on this forum, but one that is a very attractive sounding device. Is the EAR Acute, it also enables other Digital Sources to be coupled to it.

In comparisons the CDT > DAC, this one is not able to be differentiated for being in any ways a under performer.    

I have a different approach to buying into a used CDP / CDT.

I look upon the Laser as a 'Sacrificial Part' that will one day not perform to the standard it was able to when new.

Being relatively new to a CD Digital Source used in my system ( approx' since 2016) all other recorded music replays has been produced from the use of a Vinyl LP.  Where the Vinyl LP  has been solely in use and now used in conjunction with CD for near 35 + years, which is the timeline for my expressing an interest in a Audio System, as being of importance.

This experience with using Vinyl LP's as the Source. Creates the conditioning for  myself to be totally conditioned to buy into vital parts for the replay of Vinyl that are sacrificial in their function, i.e, most obviously the Phono Cartridge.

Being investigative as an involvement with Audio Equipment, where time is taken for communicating with / or meeting with others with a interest in Audio Equipment, will enable others with much more information on board than ones own to reveal information that is pertinent to achieving improved experiences when using Audio Equipment.  When being social and being engaged in discussions on Audio Equipment. It does not take long to learn there are many items which are used to produce a Sound from a recording that are by their nature 'Sacrificial', there is a limited period they function at their designs optimisation. 

Without going too off topic, the Phono Cartridge and Laser both produce the Source Information to be Transferred through the Audio Systems electronic design,  to become an increased in gain signal, to the point the Voltage produced, is quite cables of making a Speaker produce Kinetic Energy, that is perceived as sound. 

Both the Phono Cartridge and Laser are sacrificial, they deteriorate over time, to the point they do not function optimally to their initial design.

A Laser is expected to have much more Longevity of usage than a Phono Cartridge if both are being used continuously.

I am very willing to buy both a Phono Cartridge and a device that contains a Laser to read CD as used items.

In advance of a used item purchase, I do my research and learn what can be done with a model being purchased as used, when a malfunction is detected to be occurring. This is important to understand, knowing what are the options for a repair, if failure of the device is to occur.

There is endless information about successful refurbishments of Phono Cartridges, there is a Industry dedicated to offering such a service.

CDP - CDT is not met with such a easy to access support. Which does mean there is limited information to be found for a broad range of CDP - CDT models.

The good news is that there are CDP - CDT models that are being refurbished with new or alternative laser's (in some cases the alternative laser is much improved as a model over the original laser used).

A selection of these CDP - CDT models can even be discovered to have undergone additional design changes, that have added even more benefits to the electronic function of the device.

I bought into a used CDT that has been well documented and reported on as being a removed from being a repair item by the OEM. It is also well documented and reported on, that this same model has been successfully repaired by non OEM EE Technicians or even enthusiast Technicians when the Laser has failed. My own stand, is the CDT is purchased as Sacrificial, with the notion, there is plenty now known to make sure it has options to be selected as means to be repaired when that time arrives.

Used models of CDP - CDT can be found for approx' 30% - 50% of original retail when a prudent search is carried out.

My own CDT was bought for 40% of the original retail price. To date it has, as a Guestimate, between 1400 - 1800 hours usage. It is now used to reduce the use of a Phono Cartridge, which is even more beneficial.

The cost of CDT - cost of DAC, has been much less than that of the cost for a Phono Cartridge cost that is able to compare to it, when perceiving the qualities of each end sound that is produced. My CDT > DAC has been used in systems with a Vinyl Source Equipment costing £20K ish, with the Cart' being more than £3K. The listeners have been very vociferous in their appraisal for the Digital Source Equipment during the comparisons.

A refurb on a Cart' is usually anticipated at approx' 1000 hours of usage, but there is info from manufacturers that does not adhere to this guideline. Typically $450 and ascending in costs is a Cart' refurbishment quote, depending on the Cart's needs.

My used CDT has as stated, in my ownership had approx' 1500 hours usage. I am over the moon at that, as a longevity of non problematic function, the cost of usage into a hourly incremental breakdown, when compared to what can be attributed to a Cart' incremental hourly cost over a range of 1000 hours usage has the owned CDT coming in at quite a smaller cost per hour as well at this stage of usage.

If the CDT's Laser failed now. I can get the CDT back to functioning, by supplying the replacement part to a skilled EE Technician. The expected cost for both part and labour will be close to £100 +/- £30, if the professional service is the adopted method. I don't think l would be too far out in assuming another 3000 hours of Laser usage will follow. This starts to make the incremental hourly cost of a the CDT extremely attractive as a tool to generate a Signal, when compared to a hourly incremental cost related to certain models of Phono Cart'. 

Add to the addition of the CDT > DAC the vast CD Collection now acquired, where a large range of CD's bought used has been for less than £1 and more expensive being between £1 and £5, the Music Collection able to be replayed has exponentially grown. I would be comfortable stating the cost of 10 x Typical Purchase Methods, used Vinyl Albums, has cost the same monies as more than 300 CD's being purchased.    

From my end there is a substantial amount to like about the Used CD - CDP - CDT  market.

Careful Purchase Planning and Caveat Emptor are ones best friend in such a matter.     

               

@jayctoy It is good to learn your investigations led you to discovering a methodology to have the extended use of your SA 10, having learned as you have has most likely created the situation where the idea of spending $3K-$4K is no longer a concern. I presume the remediation to the SA 10 was very affordable?

I would feel reasonably confident to not receive any backlash, if I referred to a Typical Laser in a CDP - CDT being more akin to a Budget Phono Cartridge. Where the part produced is known for its function as having dependable reliability.

For the individual with a little more insight, maybe Budget Cart' or the CDP -CDT is purchased with acceptance the sacrificial part and are a stepping stone. Where at at some stage of usage there is the knowing there will be a intention to upgrading to a improved Cart' or Laser Model, when more desirable models or compatible models become known. I don't see myself as being alone with this mindset, why spend ones own hard earned money, when one is learning about the end sound that is able to be produced. Spend ones hard earned, when one has confidence the end sound is the one that is the most preferred to the individual who is to do the spending. 

Laser's typically found in use and the ones that get the brunt of criticism when used for Audio Purposes, are models with a history of being used in computing, to be used with the CD ROM section on a Computer. Such models have a very very predictable reliability, there have been Multi Millions put into service. It is no surprise that the Large or Smaller producers of a CDP or CDT buy into using parts that are with a recognised reliability.

I take it that when a Laser of this history is discovered used in a audio device that commands a large sum of money to purchase, the use of it when becoming known to a selection of individuals can be the cause of an affront as a follow up.

I have been able to demo' my CDT > DAC in comparison to a variety of CD Sources up to £6K ish in value. Not at any time have I been informed my own set up is wanting, it has been the one wanted to be relistened to on occasions. I do not know how much a Laser assembly is improved over my own models in other devices heard during comparisons. A Local Audio Dealership is handling Jay's Audio, as said on another occasion, I am tempted to have a listen / comparison to my own CDT > DAC, but do not want to be a Tyre Kicker with the Businesses Time.       

@no_regrets The Audio System is being packed away slowly/reluctantly. There is a intention to remodel the home.

This plan for the home places me not of the Market to commit to a sale.

I do believe, from my end and way of doing things, that I would be best to be straight, letting the Dealership Owner know, I am not in a position to commit to a purchase in 2024, or even 2025. It is then their choice if they want to entertain my inquisitiveness.

If I make it known I bought a PTP Solid Nine TT from them quite a few years past, this might jog their memory and create improved chance of a visit being arranged. It was during this same period of visits that I was introduced to £6K Streamer, which did not make any impression on me, apart from the beauty of the aesthetic, all that Burl Walnut. A type of Streamer one might expect to be found as the music system in a Bentley Vehicle.

I have done a lot of investigations into using structures under audio devices that have a design intent to isolate the device from transferral of ambient energies within the listening area.

CDP's CDT's and DAC's have all benefitted from this type of Support Structure when used in my own home and on devices in systems in other homes.

To date I have found the best end sound had been through using 2 x Tiers of Panzerholz as Sub Plinths. The P'holz is separated by AT 616 Footers, the method  has superseded other methods and proved to be very valuable at creating the Support Structure that really tidies up the end sound.

More will be achieved, better/worse, when trying out additional footers types between the Top Tier and the Audio Device, bypassing the devices supplied footer.

I have learnt there is not a ubiquitous method that works for all listening environments, playing with configurations of materials is required.