Best Basic CD Player (no SACD, USB, etc.)


Hey guys! Old dude here! My Panasonic SL-PJ316 CD player took a dump after years of faithful service. I started looking around for a replacement only to discover CD players with price tags into the thousands of dollars!! WTH??  Ok, I know there is SACD, USB, bluetooth, etc. BUT, I am not going to try and re-purchase my entire CD collection of almost 40 years to buy a SACD player. And, from what I've read, the USB, streaming lot seems to cause problems in certain players. ALL I need is a high quality, basic CD player that won't cost thousands of dollars. Any suggestions? Yamaha? NAD? Marantz? I'm "all ears". Thanks, for the advice. Best regards, Rob

shutupuface

-1 on the onkyo unless you have a separate dac. It sounds bright and hard on its own.  Yamaha would be more neutral. Absolutely didn't like the Marantz in the lower price bracket sounded synthetic. Outboard dacs are abundant, try a few.

Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony... 

Or how about a Sony BluRay player... just have one machine dual-duty... their 700 model for less than $200 is a well reviewed player.

It's hard to find but if you can get an Anthem CD1 Tube CD Player.  The sound is fantastic especially if you upgrade the tube unit to a german one, plays far better than anything near its cost range. Holds 6 CDs, and gives the music such depth you'd think it was an album playing, it's that good. 

@curtdr right, Marantz is such an embarrassing brand, they pretty much invented hifi.... :)

Rotel CD 11 over on TMR 

NAD 568 on TMR

 

USAUdiomart:

Rotel 1570

Rega Apolo 

Rotel CD14