Opinions on CD changers

mrbofus
mrbofus Posts: 297
edited January 2010 in Electronics
Greetings,
My next new purchase is gonna be a New CD Changer, My current one is giving up the ghost and the wife wants a changer where the tray slides out for easier loading.---- Couple of questions of course...
1) Recommendations for under $300. Onkyo, Marantz, Sony etc
2) I have seen DVD, CD combo units. pros and cons of a dual purpose unit?

I have a Onkyo SR507 and Rti8's and I probably will purchase this month.
Thanks
Greg
Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
the rest...in process...slowly!!
Post edited by mrbofus on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,103
    edited January 2010
    mrbofus wrote: »
    Greetings,
    My next new purchase is gonna be a New CD Changer, My current one is giving up the ghost and the wife wants a changer where the tray slides out for easier loading.---- Couple of questions of course...
    1) Recommendations for under $300. Onkyo, Marantz, Sony etc
    2) I have seen DVD, CD combo units. pros and cons of a dual purpose unit?

    I have a Onkyo SR507 and Rti8's and I probably will purchase this month.
    Thanks
    Greg

    Here you go...Onkyo DX-C390 I have it & it sounds wonderful & performs flawlessly. It holds 6 discs & you can eject the tray to reload 5 while the 6th disc keeps on playing. They can be had for under $200 NIB. I tried sending the link but it wasn't cooperating. Just go the Onkyo's site to check it out. And since you already have an Onkyo AVR I think the remote will control both.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,174
    edited January 2010
    Here is a link to a killer deal on that Onkyo:
    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKDXC390/Onkyo/Dx-c390-6-disc-Carousel-Cd-Changer/1.html

    I am a Sony ES changer fan myself. But for the price that Onkyo looks like a sweet deal.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited January 2010
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Here is a link to a killer deal on that Onkyo:
    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKDXC390/Onkyo/Dx-c390-6-disc-Carousel-Cd-Changer/1.html

    I am a Sony ES changer fan myself. But for the price that Onkyo looks like a sweet deal.

    That is a smokin deal. any issues with refurbished equipment?
    What drawn you to the Sony?
    Greg
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,174
    edited January 2010
    I bought a few refurbished Onkyo items from that seller with no problems at all.

    For me, I have had changers fron Sony, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, harman/kardon and some others I am probably forgetting. The Sony ES Changers seem to have superb build quality and better DAC's.

    Most here will agree that if you want to go hi-end though, you may want to drop the changer and get a single disk dedicated CD player and a separate DAC.

    I have no desire to upgrade my SONY ES SCD-C333ES at this time. For the $125 I paid on e-bay, it was a steal.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,174
    edited January 2010
    Never heard one, but this new one from Marantz sure looks cool:
    http://us.marantz.com/Products/3069.asp
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited January 2010
    Conradicles wrote: »
    I bought a few refurbished Onkyo items from that seller with no problems at all.

    For me, I have had changers fron Sony, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, harman/kardon and some others I am probably forgetting. The Sony ES Changers seem to have superb build quality and better DAC's.

    Most here will agree that if you want to go hi-end though, you may want to drop the changer and get a single disk dedicated CD player and a separate DAC.

    I have no desire to upgrade my SONY ES SCD-C333ES at this time. For the $125 I paid on e-bay, it was a steal.

    Cant afford to go hi end. Do most/ all changers have a DAC where single disc do not?
    Thanks for the input
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,174
    edited January 2010
    Almost all have a built in DAC. If you use the red and white RCA outputs, then you are using the players DAC. If you use the digital output, you will not be using the players DAC but rather your AVR or stereo preamp.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,103
    edited January 2010
    Stop farting around...for the coin you want to spend get the Onkyo & go enjoy some music. Under 2 bills with warranty you can't beat it my man.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited January 2010
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Never heard one, but this new one from Marantz sure looks cool:
    http://us.marantz.com/Products/3069.asp

    I was looking at this one, streching my budget a bit.
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited January 2010
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Stop farting around...for the coin you want to spend get the Onkyo & go enjoy some music. Under 2 bills with warranty you can't beat it my man.

    Direct and to the point, Are you refering to the refurb on or new onkyo?
    thats kinda been my main interest will my 2 bills to burn.
    Greg
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2010
    Look at Rotel RCC-1055 5 disc changer.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2010
    This inexpensive changer from Sony has always gotten good reviews. It plays SACD as well.

    http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158SCDC595/Sony-SCD-CE595.html?c=4&tp=197&avf=N
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2010
    I have a 400 disc Sony DVD changer that plays SACD's, and CD's. I use an external DAC for CD playback. The convience is is worth the slightly harder to load carousel style. You can use a silver sharppie to mark the spot you reserve for rental disc's. Some complain about slow load speed, but it is much faster than looking for and loading a disc to a tray. Another advantage is that the disc is only handled to load or remove it once or twice. Careful shopping you can get one for around $300. I also have a 200disc Sony CD only player. Advantages of a combo unit is one less piece of gear in the case, and you will have one set less of wires to run. With an outboard DAC the Sony CD changer gives my modded Denon 2900 a some decent competition.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited January 2010
    What about DVD players that will spin Cds too, good or bad?
    one less piece of equipment in the stand, right?
    And is SACD the future or a flash in the pan?
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited January 2010
    Marantz CC4001 is last yrs model and is very good also. Check that one out.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2010
    CD changers are just mechanical monsters waiting to break. Get a 160GB iPod Classic, load CDs with Apple Lossless compression, buy a Wadia iTransport, and an external DAC, and you now have put all of the suggested CD changers to shame. You can easily access any CD quicker than with a changer, create playlists of CDs and songs, random shuffle through all the CDs, or random shuffle through all the songs.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,061
    edited January 2010
    shack wrote: »
    This inexpensive changer from Sony has always gotten good reviews. It plays SACD as well.

    http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158SCDC595/Sony-SCD-CE595.html?c=4&tp=197&avf=N

    Don't get me started about that P.O.S. I went through 4 of them, never could get one that worked correctly. You wonder why Sony always has them for sale as re-furbs? Finally just got my money back from Sony rather than try a 5th time. Nothing against Sony, I love my C333ES, but I'd stay away from the CE595.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2010
    BlueFox wrote:
    CD changers are just mechanical monsters waiting to break.

    I currently have 3 CD changers, (5 disc - 1 Sony, 1 Sony ES and 1 NAD) that have been in service for at least 5-7 years with no mechanical issues whatsoever I have also sold a couple with quite a bit of time on them with no problems. Maybe your are referring to the 300 disc players. I have no first hand knowledge of those other than some friends who use and like them and have not had any issues I'm aware of.
    BlueFox wrote:
    Get a 160GB iPod Classic, load CDs with Apple Lossless compression, buy a Wadia iTransport, and an external DAC, and you now have put all of the suggested CD changers to shame. You can easily access any CD quicker than with a changer, create playlists of CDs and songs, random shuffle through all the CDs, or random shuffle through all the songs.

    Since the OP mentioned a $300± price range, it is a bit much to give him an option that will set him back at least $1,000. He can't even touch the Wadia for that price range not to mention the DAC and iPod (which by itself would eat up most of his budget).
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2010
    billbillw wrote:
    Don't get me started about that P.O.S. I went through 4 of them, never could get one that worked correctly. You wonder why Sony always has them for sale as re-furbs? Finally just got my money back from Sony rather than try a 5th time. Nothing against Sony, I love my C333ES, but I'd stay away from the CE595.

    I never actually had one of them to demo and only heard it briefly in a retail store (horrible setup). I did own the SCD-2000ES for a while and liked it a lot. The SQ of the two were said to be very similar and if that was the case it is a good option from a pure SQ perspective. I can't speak to the reliability.
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited January 2010
    billbillw wrote: »
    Don't get me started about that P.O.S. I went through 4 of them, never could get one that worked correctly. You wonder why Sony always has them for sale as re-furbs? Finally just got my money back from Sony rather than try a 5th time. Nothing against Sony, I love my C333ES, but I'd stay away from the CE595.

    I don't know, alot of people really like the CD595, and while you can find a universal player that will player SA CD's at that price range, it's hard to find a CD changer that will, at least new.
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited January 2010
    thoughts on yamaha changers?
    And yes if I had $1000+ dollars to spend I wouldnt be talking about a changer.
    thanks for all the input so far.
    greg
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited January 2010
    mrbofus wrote: »
    thoughts on yamaha changers?
    And yes if I had $1000+ dollars to spend I wouldnt be talking about a changer.
    thanks for all the input so far.
    greg

    Yamaha Natural Sound changers have been ok if I do recall, but they're not really common so I don't know too much about them.
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited January 2010
    Well... since you asked...

    I am no fan of changers. The loading mechanisms are prone to failure and they are almost always inferior to single-disc players of comparable price.
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited January 2010
    Get an Onkyo. They last forever and sound great.
    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!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,174
    edited January 2010
    If you want to buy that Onkyo brand new not refurbished Vann's has it for $175 and free shipping. It would match your Onkyo receiver too and you would have some cash left over.
    http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/accessories/534199305/onkyo-dx-c390;jsessionid=0C2D5FF00252B73F69144C0CBD6D13C0.web1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited January 2010
    shack wrote: »
    I never actually had one of them to demo and only heard it briefly in a retail store (horrible setup). I did own the SCD-2000ES for a while and liked it a lot. The SQ of the two were said to be very similar and if that was the case it is a good option from a pure SQ perspective. I can't speak to the reliability.

    If you can find a brand-new Sony SCD-C2000ES for $300.00 from an authorized dealer, buy it. The C2000ES has a much better remote, dedicated L/R analog outputs, and a 5 year Sony warranty. The SCD-CE595 is actually very good, especially when available for $70.00 directly from Sony as a refurbished unit.

    I heard nothing but good thing about the Onkyo CD changer. And if you are able to catch at the right moment, you can get it refurbished directly from Onkyo for about $100.00.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,083
    edited January 2010
    sk1939 wrote: »
    Yamaha Natural Sound changers have been ok if I do recall, but they're not really common so I don't know too much about them.

    I have an older model Yamaha changer (CDC 645) and have had absolutely no issues with, but I have no idea how the SQ stacks up against other changers.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2010
    Danny Tse wrote:
    If you can find a brand-new Sony SCD-C2000ES for $300.00 from an authorized dealer, buy it. The C2000ES has a much better remote, dedicated L/R analog outputs, and a 5 year Sony warranty.

    I agree that this is an excellent CDP...and if you can find it new for $300 it is a great deal. Problem is...it will be very hard to find a new one (if at all)...and IF you do it will be closer to $400+.
    "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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,061
    edited January 2010
    Danny Tse wrote: »
    The SCD-CE595 is actually very good, especially when available for $70.00 directly from Sony as a refurbished unit.

    That is exactly what I did. 1st unit-no output from R channel, 2nd unit had shipping damage, 3rd unit skipped badly, 4th unit, didn't play at all. I didn't try a 5th time. This was a 4-5 month saga and a major pain. Not sure why I had such bad luck with them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited January 2010
    Never had a changer that I liked. I am a single disk man! LOL
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter