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I need a good quality CD player - with changer

I am updating my system and need some advice. I have Magnapan MG1.6 speakers and am looking to add a CD changer (don't ask why!) with digital output, DAC, and amplifier. For a DAC, I've pretty much settled on a used Bel Canto DAC2 or Birdland Odeon-ag version 1.1 (?) or newer. (If someone has a better idea on DAC's, I'd be glad to hear it.)

My question: It seems like I remember NAD, Parasound, and maybe Pioneer made CD changers with good transports - changers which also had digital output capabilities. I am only looking for a five (or so) disc changer that has a 96KHz output and is new enough to play CD-R's.

Any recommendations for a good sounding (used or new) changer to go with my new DAC? I'm flexible on price, but am looking to purchace closer to the $500 range than the $2000 range...

Thanks!
delsfan
trelja
3,223 posts
 
I highly recommend the Sony SCD-C333ES player, which I own.

It's a surprisingly good sounding Redbook CD changer on its own, with a lot more fullness, richness, and body than I ever expected. Also, the digital filters allow you to tailor the sound a bit. You'll certainly be able to use the digital out to your DAC if you choose, just like the other players. But, the SACD capability is DEFINITELY worthwhile, even if the format does not take over from CD.
tomryan
796 posts
 
Anyone else find the slow mechanical action of Sony SACD players irritating?
delsfan OP
19 posts
 
"I would try the Rotel sans dac till full break-in these are suprisingly decent changers."
Excellent advice. How long is break-in, a couple hundred hours? Plus, waiting and becoming familiar with the new system would then give one (me!) a much better idea of how much better (or not) the sound is upon adding an outboard DAC.

Rotel didn't specify whether or not their CD player had a 96KHz output or not. (And I forget why this is important.) If the Rotel changer doesn't output at 96KHz, should I go back to looking for a used Marantz, Parasound, etc. changer or just not worry about it and purchase the Rotel unit with changer?

And, thanks for the DAC advice; with these four or five to choose from one thinks I couldn't go too far wrong.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
For what it's worth...

I have a Birdland Odeon-Ag that is hooked via TosLink to a Sony 400 CD jukebox and via the BNC to a Theta Carmen II transport. While the Birdland HUGELY upgraded the sound coming from the Sony jukebox, I find that I never use it anymore. The Theta is just so much better that I can't not use it. It cost 10 times as much, so I damned well better use it!
But, if you must have a changer, you've been given some good recommendations, and I would also say that I am a fan of Rotel products.

Good Luck.

Tom

P.S. Tomryan, I also have a Sony SCD-C222ES SACD player, and I've never noticed any slow mechanical action. (Or else I've never experienced good fast mechanical action and I don't know what I'm missing.)
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Tom, while I don't have any experience with any other changer so I don't know if it is slow in comparison or not, it is a bit slower than I would consider ideal. Though, not nearly as bad as the early Sony SACD ES (SCD-1 and SCD777ES) players I listened to when the format first broke.
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