CD players: buying used a good idea?

Norm Apter

Of course I think most people here would strongly recommend purchasing amps and pre-amps used. I'm wondering if the same is true for decent (mid-fi and above...say $600 or above new price) CD players.

a) Are CD players more likely to "degrade" over time than the two
components listed above?
b) If so, would saving money by purchasing used be offset by the fact that
you may have to invest funds in repair/calibration or whatever it takes to
maintain a CD player longterm?
c) If you do support buying used, when you look for a used player do you try
to find one that has been used for less than a certain period of time (say,
1 year, 2 years, etc)?

Norm

tcrossma

I think buying a used CD player is a good idea. But you're right, the technology that goes into CD players changes much more frequently than amps, so if it were me I'd buy a recent model used CD player and not something that's more than maybe 3-4 years old.

treitz3

Absolutely.

bigaudiofanatic

Agree with that with new stuff coming out almost every 3 months I would say nothing older than 1-2 years.

janmike

100% for sure. Like anything else, do your homework on the item and the person.

ND13

Find yourself an AMC CD8b and have it modded like mine. You'll be VERY happy. Ask RuSsMaN about the CD8b and Zero about the mods he did to mine. There are many, many others out there that can be had for a song and then do some stellar mods to them and you have a giant killer. Just remember to buy used from reputable sellers....you usually can't go wrong with MOST of the sellers here at CP.

morganc

agreed

WilliamM2

tcrossma wrote: »

I think buying a used CD player is a good idea. But you're right, the technology that goes into CD players changes much more frequently than amps, so if it were me I'd buy a recent model used CD player and not something that's more than maybe 3-4 years old.

What technology that goes into CD players has changed recently? Or even in the last 10 years? All I see is the usual marketing crap.

Although it is a mechanical device, so there may be some merit to sticking with a newer player, although I have never had a player fail. Even the first player I bought in 1983 is still in service in my Mom's system, but I doubt she uses it much.

candyliquor35m

If I can buy a new player for $200-$300 that will meet my needs then I buy it new.

If I want something that costs $1000 new like a tube cdp then I buy it used for $500-$600.

tcrossma

WilliamM2 wrote: »

What technology that goes into CD players has changed recently? Or even in the last 10 years? All I see is the usual marketing crap.

Although it is a mechanical device, so there may be some merit to sticking with a newer player, although I have never had a player fail. Even the first player I bought in 1983 is still in service in my Mom's system, but I doubt she uses it much.

I'm certainly no technical expert, and maybe I'm just falling victim to the marketing hype, but I thought that DAC technology was improving, as was the laser and transport technology. Given that CD technology is relatively new when compared to such things as amps and pre-amps (which have been around forever) it seemed logical to me that they could build a better CD today than when they first came out. But maybe not. Someone else would know better than me I suppose.

Edit: And I've had at least two players fail on me over the past 20 years, so any improvements they can make to the transport technology is good in my book.

Shizelbs

I've bought about four used CD players. My next one will be used as well.

WilliamM2

Edit: And I've had at least two players fail on me over the past 20 years, so any improvements they can make to the transport technology is good in my book.

I'm sure players fail, as I said. it's a mechanical device. I was just pointing out that it is not all that common. In fact, I'll bet it is more common now, with everything being made in China, than it was 20 years ago, when most were made in Japan.

As far as technology, of course every new DAC chip is claimed to be better, that's how the electronic manufacturers make money. In reality, most of the DAC chip makers come out with new models for one reason alone, the ability to produce them cheaper. Just like any chip maker.

Deadof_knight

Im looking to buy a Rega PLanet they are sweet no matter how you get one or the Rega appollo!

treitz3

[slight derail] DK, the Planet has a different chip than the Apollo. Different technologies.

Norm Apter

Thanks for the replies. But I did want to sort of re-direct my query. I wasn't so concerned from the get go about faster improvements in CD technology over shorter spans of time (thus rendering units less attractive as time goes by) but rather whether the natural wear and tear of using the item degrading its mechanical functions -- specifically the laser and tray or anything else -- that would make buying used CDP less attractive than buying a used amp/pre.

William, spoke to this a bit with his example of 20 year-old CDP that he has that is still working. Do others concur? In other words, are CDP and their internal mechanisms built to last?

TroyD

Yes, the mechanical aspect, IMO, isn't really a worry.......if they are treated properly, they should last a long time. Shipping can be an issue so I'd pretty much insist on original packaging as a minimum, prefer double boxed.

BDT

sucks2beme

All my current CDPs are used. My first one was new in 1984, it lasted 16 years. I've got a Nad, AMC, and Accurus right now that were all used, and work fine. The current Rega Apollos have some issues, I'd stay away from
used there, but Rotel, Arcam and others are fine used.

bobt

Well the big deal is the DAC chips, which somebody already said. They are claimed to be better....cheaper made for sure..that dose not make them better. The earlier made transports may be better made then whats being produced today. I have an old Sony XA3ES, was not cheap back in it's day. It still works fine.
Could you tell the difference between this and a new $500+ player....in a blind test, probably not. Is it worth it to buy used....depends on who your getting it from.....it's like everything else used....buyer beware.

sucks2beme

bobt wrote: »

Well the big deal is the DAC chips, which somebody already said. They are claimed to be better....cheaper made for sure..that dose not make them better. The earlier made transports may be better made then whats being produced today. I have an old Sony XA3ES, was not cheap back in it's day. It still works fine.
Could you tell the difference between this and a new $500+ player....in a blind test, probably not. Is it worth it to buy used....depends on who your getting it from.....it's like everything else used....buyer beware.

Most of the DAC stuff is BS. The power supply and stuff after the
DAC make all the difference. I have a modded AMC like ND13, and
it scales up quite nicely. And it didn't cost much. Older high end
CDPs are normally a good value. Do your homework, and you'll do
fine with used.

dkg999

The other option is to buy a good separate DAC that you like the sound of, then buy cheaper used high quality CDP's as a good transport to provide input to the DAC. Just a thought!

Ricardo

I have only purchased one new CD player, and I've had a few. As someone mentioned, do your homework on the player and the seller and you should be ok.

madmax

I've ended up with problems with a few used players but in the end still spent quite a bit less than if I had bought new. Most were fairly old by the time they started having problems so getting a one year warranty on a new one really doesn't buy you much other than out of box failures.