help with cd player

BAD ASP

Hey Polk Folks, my Onkyo cd player just quit and I am in the market to replace it. I need some suggestions and opinions. I am looking to upgrade in this department and I am considering used but higher quality. I do like the multi types as I like to use the random feature but I am just being lazy. I have read that the sony players with 300 plus storage have problems in the carrier unit and it damages the cd's. I will pull the trigger in the next few days so any input would be appreciated. I think I want to set my budget at $500.

BlueFox

What does "just quit" mean? Does it still read CDs and output the digital data? If it does that then keep it, and buy an external DAC to provide the audio output. If it is dead dead then buy a cheapo $69 DVD player, which can also play CDs, and an external DAC.

If you want a player which can provide random access to 100s of CDs and 1000s of songs, and play nonstop for days, then buy an iPod and Wadia iTransport for a high-end music server. Of course you will still need the external DAC. Don't skrimp there since the DAC is what determines the level of audio you will be getting whether it is in a CD player, or standalone.

Two items I own and am very happy with;

DAC
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BEDAC1PRE

Wadia
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_727170I/Wadia-170iTransport.html?search=wadia&tp=238

shack

BlueFox has blown right past your $500 budget....

Not many changers on the market anymore. The Rotel RCC 1055 is excellent. MSRP is $700 but it is well worth it IMO. You rarely find new Rotel gear discounted. You might find it used for less than $500.

Another good CD changer is the Sony SCD C2000ES. I had one for a while before I sold it to get a Matt Anker modded Sony SCD CE775. It is an EXCELLENT SACD player (if you have any interest in that format) and a pretty good redbook player (equal or better than your Onkyo I would guess). Well built and comes with the Sony 5 year warranty. Crutchfield has it for around $400.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158SC2KESB/Sony-ES-SCD-C2000ES-Black.html?tp=197

I have also heard good things about the Marantz CC4001 from those who have had them. No personal experience though. Crutchfield has it for $329 and free shipping but you might find it cheaper elsewhere. My guess is that the Sony is a better player and worth the extra funds....VMMV.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_642CC4001/Marantz-CC4001.html?tp=197

I have yet to see a CDP mega changer that I liked. You would definitely need an outboard DAC and that would drive the price up significantly. I'm not sure they are even making them any more. Sony makes a Mega DVD changer that will play CDs and SACDs as well as DVDs. I don't know anything about it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DVPCX995V-400-Disc-Changer-Player/dp/B000A3XRSO

WilliamM2

I was looking to upgrade my changer and found traditional mega-changers to be clunky and slow. I had also read about disc damage. I decided to get one of these:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200106

Specs claim 200GB storage, but mine came with a 300GB drive, which will easily hold 600 CD's. You can upgrade the hard drive to 2TB as well. Very smooth operation, silent disc changes, and no worries about disc damage. Got mine for $525 a couple of years ago, I think they are about $600 now.

hearingimpared

Try this place, "Quest for Sound." Stephen will do ya right.

BAD ASP

Thanks all, good info. I have found a Sony dvp-ns9100es which I am interested in. I will let you know, if any of you have any negative info on this unit please let me know.

BlueFox

BAD ASP wrote: »

Thanks all, good info. I have found a Sony dvp-ns9100es which I am interested in. I will let you know, if any of you have any negative info on this unit please let me know.

While I have this DVD/SACD/CD player I am sorry I cannot give you any negative information on it. It does an outstanding job of upconverting DVDs to 1080i, and the SACD/CD playback is no slouch either. In other words, if there is nothing wrong with the unit and you are getting a good price ($1299 new) then buy it.

However, I have found that taking the CD digital output and running it through a Benchmark Dac1 the sound is a bit better than if from the 9100ES, but the Benchmark Dac1 is known to have that effect on music.

One point is if you ever get the chance then buy the Sony 7100ES AVR. These two units were made for each other. Each unit supports Sony's Ilink and HATs technology. This lets you play SACDs and provide a jitter free digital bitstream to the 7100ES (a digital amp) for processing and amplifcation. Sounds outstanding.