What is the best redbook CD player for 6K to 8K?

Guido, when it comes to the actual manufacturer not providing spare parts, and exchanging units that failed under warranty for the new and inferior model, there is nothing anyone can do about it, including me. Companies like Denon, Marantz, Sony, Pioneer, Esoteric and more, are actually providing the parts needed for the repair.

Since I am used to de-bug Sony Pro gear costing millions, ANY consumer product is like a "baby toy" job, IF parts were available. :)

Regards,
Alex

Guidocorona, can't speak for anyone else, but when it comes to the digital players I re-design, I am honoring the original "factory" warranty they have, regardless of the failure. Actually, there is nothing much to break in a digital player except for the Laser Pick up or some of the motors which can be easily replaced. We have also signed mutual agreement with Esoteric and have their 100% support, so there is nothing to worry about, really.

Regards,
Alex

Trelja, in 95% of the cases, when it comes to a well designed digital player that does not have faulty processors like the Philips SACD1000 for example, the laser pick-up is the only part that would fail. Whether it will start skipping or it would say "no disc" when you load a CD, it is still the laser.

When it comes to a regular CD player, it can work even 20+ years, especially when it comes to top-line CD players built around the flagship Philips and Sony (an couple of others) transports/laser pick up assemblies.

Unfortunately, this does not apply for the laser pick up designed to read CD and DVD/SACD. These latest technology devices are a lot more complicated than a usual CD laser. Also, the actual laser diodes in a CD/DVD laser are working much harder compared to CD only pick up.

Of course, it really depends on the usage. If you have CD/SACD player only, you may have it working for 5 years and more given you're not using it 24/7, and especially if you are playing CD's most of the time it will last longer. When it comes to universal players, and if you also watch DVD movies on them, the life expectancy is shorter. Depending on the quality of the laser, the life can be from few months to couple of years.

In 99% of the cases, replacement laser assemblies are available in the range of $90-200. It is fairly easy to replace them too.

Bottom line is, if you like the sound of a certain player you own and it stops reading the disc, there is nothing to worry about.

Regards,
Alex

Guido, the SACD1000 mod was introduced at $1350 and then went up to $1850. At that time, the SACD1000 was on sale from Tweeter at $400. Online prices on Audiogon and Ebay were $600 max for brand new units. The X-01 retail is $13K and the X-01 Limited is $14K. So I don't really know what you mean by "twice as much" the SACD1000 price. I figure around 6 times as much. There are very positive reports and reviews from independent parties who don't even own SACD1000. Please also be aware that the SACD1000 featured an output transformer with higher output impedance so it is extremely important what load will be presented to it. Best results are obtained with non-shielded cables and preamplifiers having input impedance of 100K Ohm.

UX-1 and X-01 feature the same transports and the same Digital Signal Processing boards. It’s just that the X-01 video and DVD-A features are software and hardware disabled. The UX-1 Video can be completely shut down too with a button on the remote. So, the only advantage X-01 has over UX-1 is the differential DAC and Analog output stage with 4 instead of 2 DACs and DOUBLE the Op Amps. There are sonic differences between the two, but not huge by any means.

I suspect you may find the $6K price difference between the X-01 Limited and NWO-2 very well worth it.

Regards,
Alex

Gentleman, I believe that we are all good hearted and intelligent enough so we can remain good friends, like always. There is no need for clever words war because it will take us nowhere.

Guido, you have always been very good friend and also respected member of the APL Hi-Fi forum. I have always valued your feedback and input very much. Now you are in love with the stock X-01 and I have nothing against that. I am sure that one day you will audition a NWO player and then we can have more reasonable and productive discussion on this subject.

As far as APL customer service and satisfaction goes, Brent Rainwater has made enormous difference. To say Thank You Brent even 1000 times will not be enough.

I'd also want to say Thank You to all APL family members for their continued support and faith in APL Hi-Fi!

Regards,
Alex