Poll on CD players under 1k (new)

Norm Apter
Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
edited August 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
OK, so here is a list of 10 candidates for your choice of best CD players under 1k.

Some may have a clear winner in mind, convinced that a great CD player should work best in any system. However, if there are others who either a) have two top contenders or b) believe that synergy with a particular system is a crucial factor in performance, then here are the components/speakers that it would be paired with: pair of Lsi9s, Parasound Halo A23 (amp) and Halo P3 (pre). Whether you want to factor this into your decision is completely up to you.

In addition, feel free to add any impressions you have from comparing any two or more from the list. Or alternatively, if you like a player that runs for 1k or under thats not on the list, you can mention that too and I will wait awhile before compiling the totals of "other" players.
2 Ch.
Parasound Halo A23 Amp
Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

HT
Denon 2808ci AVR
polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
Post edited by Norm Apter on
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Comments

  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited August 2008
    You know.... I didn't think a poll was necessary at first. But now I am kind of digging it. I'll be interested to see the results and follow thread.


    Nice Post!


    Cheers


    Nick
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited August 2008
    I don't see denon on that list..... 1988's DCD 1560 on the used market will out perform Probably most of the CD Players on that list. Google The Denon.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited August 2008
    I think the poll isn't really the best way for you to decide. The only way anybody could legitimately vote based on your list is if they have heard all of those......which I am pretty sure nobody has. Therefore, it becomes more of what is the most popular.....which can be more representaive of player availability.

    Myself, I have only heard 2 of those...therefore there is no way I could vote on something like that.

    I think you should just go out and try to listen to as many of those as you can and then decide.

    Just my .02.

    Regards,
    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited August 2008
    I think its the best way. Popularity is the most important thing!:p




    Nick
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited August 2008
    Shanling CD-T100
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  • Roy Munson
    Roy Munson Posts: 886
    edited August 2008
    I voted for the Jolida because it just blows away any CDP in it's price range and many costing a lot more!

    For a solid state player I'd have to vote for the NAD C542, for $499.00 new it's a steal. I preferred it over the highly touted Rotel 1072! YMMV
    2 Channel:
    Amp/Parasound Halo A23
    Pre/Carver C-1
    Tuner/Carver TX-11a
    CDP/Jolida JD 100A
    Turntable/AR XB-Shure V15 III
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  • Roy Munson
    Roy Munson Posts: 886
    edited August 2008
    I don't see denon on that list..... 1988's DCD 1560 on the used market will out perform Probably most of the CD Players on that list. Google The Denon.

    Denon made some great CD players in the 80's..I had a 1500 mkII in my rig for many years but imho I doubt they would out perform some of the players on the list.
    2 Channel:
    Amp/Parasound Halo A23
    Pre/Carver C-1
    Tuner/Carver TX-11a
    CDP/Jolida JD 100A
    Turntable/AR XB-Shure V15 III
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    Roy Munson wrote:
    Denon made some great CD players in the 80's..I had a 1500 mkII in my rig for many years but imho I doubt they would out perform some of the players on the list.


    There is NO WAY a Denon CDP from the 80's will come close to anything mentioned in this thread. I don't care how good it was, the technology has improved so much that they just can't compete with a good player from the last few years.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited August 2008
    I like the Cambridge.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited August 2008
    under a k what in the world have we all gone mad lmao wow i would never spend that much them most i would spend is 250.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited August 2008
    bigaudiofanatic5432 wrote:
    under a k what in the world have we all gone mad lmao wow i would never spend that much them most i would spend is 250.

    Then you will have NO IDEA what you are missing.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited August 2008
    See, I'm the guy who wants the $1000+ cd player but won't pay any more than $250 for it. I can respect both viewpoints.
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited August 2008
    Midnite Mick wrote: »
    I think the poll isn't really the best way for you to decide. The only way anybody could legitimately vote based on your list is if they have heard all of those......which I am pretty sure nobody has. Therefore, it becomes more of what is the most popular.....which can be more representaive of player availability.

    Myself, I have only heard 2 of those...therefore there is no way I could vote on something like that.

    I think you should just go out and try to listen to as many of those as you can and then decide.

    Just my .02.

    Regards,
    Mike

    Same here. Too many people jump on the brand wagon with no actual experience. It would be nice if the people who vote only vote if they have heard multipul players in the same enviorment/equiptment.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,337
    edited August 2008
    I've heard about half of those players. I like the Rega Apollo and the Jolida. The Rotel is very nice also. I haven't heard that model Marantz but it should be very good. I would look for a used one or a B-Stock among the units that you have listed. Go for a good deal.
    Carl

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited August 2008
    shack wrote: »
    There is NO WAY a Denon CDP from the 80's will come close to anything mentioned in this thread. I don't care how good it was, the technology has improved so much that they just can't compete with a good player from the last few years.

    Agreed.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited August 2008
    bigaudiofanatic wrote: »
    under a k what in the world have we all gone mad lmao wow i would never spend that much them most i would spend is 250.

    Who has the decoder ring?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,622
    edited August 2008
    The Marantz SA-8001 is a great CD player as well as an SACD player. It definately beats my Denon 3910. The only thing that I do not like is that it can not be turned on/off with a remote.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited August 2008
    F1nut wrote: »
    Who has the decoder ring?


    I think that I ate it with my cereal and ovaltine:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,622
    edited August 2008
    F1nut wrote: »
    Who has the decoder ring?

    Please let me translate....

    Under $1,000? What in the world? Have we all gone mad? (laughing my **** off) Wow!, I would never spend that much. The most I would spend is $250.:D
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited August 2008
    Polkitup2 wrote: »
    Please let me translate....

    Under $1,000? What in the world? Have we all gone mad? (laughing my **** off) Wow!, I would never spend that much. The most I would spend is $250.:D

    Thank you ;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • leadfoot1
    leadfoot1 Posts: 155
    edited August 2008
    Polkitup2 wrote: »
    Please let me translate....

    Under $1,000? What in the world? Have we all gone mad? (laughing my **** off) Wow!, I would never spend that much. The most I would spend is $250.:D

    LOL!:D I own the Rotel but I'm not voting because that is the only one I have heard.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited August 2008
    Polkitup2 wrote: »
    Please let me translate....

    Under $1,000? What in the world? Have we all gone mad? (laughing my **** off) Wow!, I would never spend that much. The most I would spend is $250.:D

    A good friend once said "if you set your standards low enough you are never degrading yourself":P
    Just ribbing you:) I have ghetto players myself, but crap in is crap out. It all starts at the source. Later today I will have my ears on a Jolida 100:) I am so looking forward to the education. The price really isn't that bad for what you get. Like Sal stated no SACD:(
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2008
    Out of the list up top, I know the SA-8001 does SACD playback. I'm not sure which, if any of the others do. I bought one locally for $750, but you can pick up a new one off Agon in the low $700's.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited August 2008
    Just a few follow-up questions for those who own/use the 1) Jolida or AH! (I'm assuming that both are tube players) and those who use 2) the Marantz SA-8001.

    1) Is there anything to be said about pairing a tube CD player with SS amp and SS pre. (good idea, bad idea, or neutral?) In addition, does the key advantage in going with a tube player lay in being able to switch out the stock tubes for others to achieve a modified (better) sound? Do tubes have to be replaced every so often (like a battery) as part of regular maintenance and is it expensive to do so?

    2) As for the Marantz, I'm wondering what folks who use it think of it for regular redbook CD playback? In other words, was the key draw its ability to play SACDs or do you find that it is quite capable on its own for regular CDs? As it happens, the player I am currently using is its little brother, the Marantz CD-5001, which I have been extremely impressed with for a player at its price point ($300 new). So impressed that I'll probably keep it for a second 2 channel rig rather than sell it. But I would like to step up to the next level.

    I didn't mean to suggest that I'm going to base my decision entirely on the results of a poll -- rather, I wanted to get an idea of what folks like and where they stand. I still need to do more research and, if I can find some good hi-fi stores nearby, listen to some of these.

    Norm
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited August 2008
    Is there anything to be said about pairing a tube CD player with SS amp and SS pre.

    An excellent idea.
    Does the key advantage lay in being able to switch out the stock tubes for others to achieve a modified (better) sound?

    That's not the key advantage, but one nice feature. The key, IMO, is the benefit of tubes with the digital format.
    Do tubes have to be replaced every so often (like a battery) as part of regular maintenance and is it expensive to do so?

    Yes, they will need to be replaced at some point in time. Since the tubes are used in the output stage they last a long time. In both of the brands you mentioned, I believe 10,000 hours is the average. The cost can be quite reasonable to damn expensive, your choice.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited August 2008
    I wouldn't let a the fact that it's tube be the deciding factor.....however, the Jolida, IMO, is damn tough to beat for the coin.

    That said, some of the modded Sony players floating around, I think Shack will agree, are pretty damn good machines as well. I went from the Jolida to a modded Sony SCD-555ES player and it is incredible.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,899
    edited August 2008
    I would seriously try a Music Hall CD25.2 first and maybe you can save a buttload of money. I got rid of my Jolida after auditioning one. Plus, no tubes to mess with. With tubes you're always wondering if you've got the best sound you can get.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • vonnie123
    vonnie123 Posts: 326
    edited August 2008
    PolkClyde wrote: »
    I don't see denon on that list..... 1988's DCD 1560 on the used market will out perform Probably most of the CD Players on that list. Google The Denon.


    Wow memories, I had a Denon DCD 2560 back thenabouts - that was quite the player. Today, I have a Denon DVD-3910, which was about $600 new, albeit, one version removed from the current model DVD-3930. I am very pleased with it for both regular CD and multi-channel DVD and SACD playback.
    [
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