Cd player purchase help/advice

BigMac

I am going to be buying a new cd player in the near future. I was going back and forth between a tt and cd player. Since I have only a few records and a ton of cd/sacd, the cd player won. I previously had a Marantz DV6600 universal player. I liked the neutral and warm sound it produced. Now I am looking to upgrade and have narrowed it down to a few players. I don't mind if the sound is a little more analytical than what I just had either. Kinda looking for a nice balance of the two together. What I need is input from those that have either heard or owned any of these players. I have no way of auditioning any of these so the input I recieve here will be invaluable. If there are any other suggestions in the under $600.00 range I am all ears. Here are the cd players I am considering in no particular order.

-Shanling PCD3000A
-Marantz SA8260
-Cambridge Audio 640C V2
-Music Hall CD25.2
-Sheng Ya CD-S10

Here is a question for the ones in the know. After researching cd players I see that different DACs are used. The ones I remember off the top of my head are Brown Burr,Crystal,Wolfson. Is one better than the other? Advantages,disadvantages?

Face

Stay away from the Marantz SA8260, they can be troublesome.

If you like the Marantz sound, check out the SA-8001, you may be able to find one used in your price range.

BigMac

Face wrote: »

Stay away from the Marantz SA8260, they can be troublesome.

If you like the Marantz sound, check out the SA-8001, you may be able to find one used in your price range.

I found a couple of the Marantz 8001 you mentioned but the lowest price I found was $699.00. Will keep looking around for the next few days to see what else I find for this player. I did see some issues here or there with most of the players I listed. Thanks for the advice on the 8260. That's exactly why I started this thread. Peoples opinions and views here I trust much more than at other sites where I have no idea who the people are and if their advice is good or not.

Ricardo

If I was looking for a CD/SACD player I'd buy the 2910 in the flea market. I still don't understand why it is still there. You'd be surprised how good it sounds.

No affiliation; it's just a great player.

BigMac

Ricardo wrote: »

If I was looking for a CD/SACD player I'd buy the 2910 in the flea market. I still don't understand why it is still there. You'd be surprised how good it sounds.

No affiliation; it's just a great player.

I did see that player in the FM but I just had a pretty nice universal player like the Denon (just sold mine a few weeks ago on here). I am really looking for a dedicated cd player now. I will be upgrading my tv and video gear come spring of next year hopefully. I have been waiting on OLED but it seems like I might just have to go with a something else for now since there is some kind of holdup on getting these tvs out. Thanks for the suggestion on the Denon in the FM.

Erik Tracy

I picked up my Cambridge 640c V2 from Audio Advisor for $349 during a sale.

I have found it to be in line with the other reviews in that it is a tad 'analytical' but when connected analog with the right ICs (right now I'm running AQ Copperheads) and run Pure Direct thru my AVR, the sound is still very pleasing with v.g. imaging, soundstage and detail.

I've compared it to the sound I get thru my AVR DACs (Burr Brown) and the DACs in my Oppo BD-83 (Cirrus) and prefer the dual Wolfsons in the CA.

I'm keeping the CA for CDs, but use the Oppo for SACDs.

Obviously, ymmv.....

NewHTguy

I have the 740C, which has dual Wolfson DACs like the 640C. The one thing that really jumped out at me relative to the Burr-Brown DACS in my Onk was the strong bass response. I would think the 640 has a very similar sound. Perhaps Erik can confirm?

Erik Tracy

NewHTguy wrote: »

I have the 740C, which has dual Wolfson DACs like the 640C. The one thing that really jumped out at me relative to the Burr-Brown DACS in my Onk was the strong bass response. I would think the 640 has a very similar sound. Perhaps Erik can confirm?

I'll have to go compare/confirm - I wasn't focusing on that when I did my first comparison.....more later.....

steveinaz

Another element that is EXTREMELY important and almost always overlooked (as we tend to focus on the DAC's)---is the analog output section; Arguably more important. Your better CDP's have beefy analog output sections. With CDP's, it's a really a whole package (and how it is implemented) thing rather than specific components. In your list, I like the Cambridge and Music Hall choices, FWIW.

Face

NewHTguy wrote: »

I have the 740C, which has dual Wolfson DACs like the 640C. The one thing that really jumped out at me relative to the Burr-Brown DACS in my Onk was the strong bass response. I would think the 640 has a very similar sound. Perhaps Erik can confirm?

I've heard the 540C and 840C in my rig and can confirm they sound similar, I would assume the models in between also sound alike.

Flash21

steveinaz wrote: »

Another element that is EXTREMELY important and almost always overlooked (as we tend to focus on the DAC's)---is the analog output section; Arguably more important. Your better CDP's have beefy analog output sections.

I think that is true. When I got an inexpensive universal player I compared the SACD on it to my much more expensive Denon CDP at the time using a CD with both layers...they actually sounded pretty similar, but the bass and general fullness of the universal player was thin by comparison and ultimately I preferred the Denon CDP. And I attributed this to the Denon's very hefty power supply.

An FWIW I really like my Cambridge 840C

nikolas812

Jolida JD100.....


Won't do Hi rez though... Just red book.





Nik

mshan242700

If you have a significant SACD collection, perhaps a Sony SCD-777ES?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-SCD-777ES-SACD-Player-SCD777ES_W0QQitemZ390076495076QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad25ef4e4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Gadabout

I have 2 of the SA8260's. One went to the shop as soon as I got it for a tune-up. The other is just as it arrived. Both are used. Had them for about 2 years now. No issues with either.

Wish I could tell you more about the sound, but I have nothing to really compare it too. Since, I have 2 I will just say they sound great and perform well. IMO

Scott

lakesailor

steveinaz wrote: »

In your list, I like the Cambridge and Music Hall choices, FWIW.

These two choices get my vote as well. I have not heard the 540C, but I have heard the 840C and was really impressed by it. I would own an 840C without hesitation. It's a nice unit and Cambridge has decent build quality.

F1nut

With CDP's, it's a really a whole package

Steve hits a homer!!!

Polkitup2

I have the Denon 3910 and Marantz sa-8001, very similar sounding excellent SACD players. However, the Marantz does everything a bit better than the Denon. I also did an A/B at my dealers with the Marantz sa-8001 and the Cambridge 840C. For redbook I preferred the Cambridge. It just seemd to have a more lively, airy presentation than the Marantz.

danz1906

The Cambridge Audio 640V2 is a good player at a fair price.
Also look at the Rotel 1072 Cd player.

Erik Tracy

The CA 650c is out now which replaces the 640c v2, so keep you eye open for deals on the 640c if you can find it.

Erik Tracy

Quick quick! Audioadvisor has the 640c v2 on sale again for $349!

Hilbert

Done. Thanks for tip.

NJPOLKER

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA640CV2%20%20SIL

There you go. I just had to take a peek and decided to copy the short cut as well.

rubin

Wonder why no one has mentioned arcam. I have the cd73 but it's only red book and hd

shack

I had a chance to listen to the new NAD CDP models a couple of weeks ago. The C 565BEE and the C 545BEE. The 565 was excellent and the 545 wasn't far behind in overall SQ. I am a big fan of the NAD sound and these did not disappoint.

NJPOLKER

rubin,
I hear you. My Arcam CD72 is a nice sounding player kind of neutral which for me is perfect for my set-up, a excellent tube pre-amp and a killer SS amp. I have humongous copper speaker cables and silver IC's. I think synergy is very important with all the components, cables and IC's included of course.

Kex

shack wrote: »

... I am a big fan of the NAD sound and these did not disappoint.

What specifically are you noticing most? The volume of very clean, tight bass, which is what I notice most, or something else?

I notice that the 545BEE uses Burr Brown DAC's, and the 565 uses Wolfson, in a "Dual Differential configuration. There's a $300 price difference between the two from Spearit Sound.

- http://www.nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/NAD_C545BEE.pdf
- http://www.nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/NAD_C565BEE.pdf

shack

Kex wrote: »

What specifically are you noticing most? The volume of very clean, tight bass, which is what I notice most, or something else?

I notice that the 545BEE uses Burr Brown DAC's, and the 565 uses Wolfson, in a "Dual Differential configuration. There's a $300 price difference between the two from Spearit Sound.

- http://www.nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/NAD_C545BEE.pdf
- http://www.nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/NAD_C565BEE.pdf

I think NAD tends to add a bit of coloration to their CDPs (in a good way). If you are looking for the last word in sharp, exact detailed reproduction...NAD is not for you. I like less of an edge...some may call it smoother, more musical. Almost like adding a tube buffer IMO. When comparing it to my Cambridge Audio CDP, NAD just seems to be something I can listen to longer with less fatigue. Bass response is certainly a strong point. I think that NAD tends to be accurate in the mid range and bass while smoothing out the upper treble range.

To my ear the 545BEE sounded better than the previous C542. The 565BEE brought out a smooth AND more detailed treble, the same pleasing midrange and maybe a little better/tighter bass. For years I have thought the Rotel 1072 was the best of the $700 ± CDP price range. The NAD may be its equal. It would be nice to hear them side by side. Both were played through a new NAD C375BEE integrated and a pair of Totem Acoustic Forest speakers.

All that said…the 565 IS BETTER…but I’m not sure it is $300 better. I would certainly like to own either one.

BigMac

Thanks for all the suggestions and cd player talk. This has given me a few more options to consider. This weekend I found a Cambridge 640C to audition and I may be able to demo a NAD cd player from a place right around the corner from me. I have had NAD products in the past and really liked the sound they produced but wanted to try something different. If I can audition both of these players at the same time that would be ideal. Maybe I can work it out so that it happens that way.

NJPOLKER

Have you thought about or looked at the Jolida 100's? I've seen them over at Audiogon at real reasonable cost lately.

dragon1952

The main issue with NAD is that they are butt ugly, IMO. Nothing worse than cheap black plastic. The Music Hall CD25.5 is very good. I replaced it with the Cambridge 840C, and if the 640C is remotely close then it should be even better the the MH. The Rotel 1072 seems to be a popular choice in this price range. I've had the Arcam CD73 and it didn't really do it for me. Kinda too laid back in my system.

Face

I agree, NAD reminds me of 80's BPC.

In the last year or so, I went through an Integra player, 3 Marantz players, 2 Cambridge players, and a Cambridge DAC.

Since the OP wants a warm or laid back player, Cambridge may be out of the picture. They can be a little analytical and a little on the forward side compared to Marantz. They can also sound a little thin in comparison. Marantz definitely has more mid and upper bass and more warmth up top.