The Hunt for the ULTIMATE CD Player < $1000

crazy · June 2006

Here's the list I've compiled so far (prices after dealer discounts; sorted based on price):

1) Music Hall CD25.2 (~ $550)

http://www.musichallaudio.com/

2) Cambridge Audio Azur 640C v2 (~ $550)

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=99&Title=Azur+640C+%28Version+2%29

3) Rotel RCD-1072 (~ $600)

http://www.rotel.com/na/index.htm

4) Arcam CD 73 (~ $700)

http://www.arcam.co.uk/prod_diva_CD73_intro.cfm

5) Creek Evo (~ $800)

http://www.creekaudio.co.uk/main_content.asp?content=home

6) Rega Apollo (~ $900)

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/apollo.htm

7) JD 100A - Vacuum Tube CD Player (~$900)

http://www.jolida.com/

Over the next 2-3 week's I'm hoping to audition most of the CD players listed above. This Thursday, I'm checking out a place that carries the Rotel and the Arcam. Next week I plan to visit this place that carries the Rega and the Rotel. Finally, I plan to head to Boston (Cathy maybe you can help with this one) to compare between Rotel, Music Hall and CA - I'll post my findings on this thread.

Ultimately, music is subjective - some like it warm, some like it bright; some like earth shatterring bass, others like well defined bass. So there's no "perfect" CD player or receiver or speaker. The objective is to enjoy music and have fun :cool:

zombie boy 2000 · June 2006

Best of luck to ya Crazy... and happy hunting!!

Be sure to report back after all your auditions. I'll be in the market for a new CDP in the next 6 months, and would love to hear what you have to say about all these units.

cfrizz · June 2006

Hi Crazy. I am on vacation this week, so it would be possible to meet you @ Spearit Sound in Boston. I can help you evaluate the CD players & you can help me evaluate the Rotel digital amps!

Just let me know what time you are going to be there.

Cathy:)

crazy wrote:

Finally, I plan to head to Boston (Cathy maybe you can help with this one) to compare between Rotel, Music Hall and CA - I'll post my findings on this thread.

Ultimately, music is subjective - some like it warm, some like it bright; some like earth shatterring bass, others like well defined bass. So there's no "perfect" CD player or receiver or speaker. The objective is to enjoy music and have fun :cool:

venomclan · June 2006

Crazy,
Check out www.audioadvisor.com, I think I saw the Cambridge 640 v.s on demo for $395-. In my research, the Cambridge is the best bang for the buck. The Rotel is nice also but expensive.
Venom

F1nut · June 2006

Is there a reason you haven't included any tube cdp's in your hunt?

2+2 · June 2006

How do you compare CD players in the shop? I mean, you will be hearing each player in a different system with different speakers, amps, preams, etc. I would think it would be extremely difficult to come to any conclusions.... ?? I suppose this can be said for most audio products.... this hobby is rather strange, any way you cut it....

crazy · June 2006

cfrizz wrote:

Hi Crazy. I am on vacation this week, so it would be possible to meet you @ Spearit Sound in Boston. I can help you evaluate the CD players & you can help me evaluate the Rotel digital amps!

Just let me know what time you are going to be there.

Cathy:)

Ah! I wasn't planning on going there this week since I'm traveling to NYC. I can make the trip next week or any week after that.

F1nut wrote:

Is there a reason you haven't included any tube cdp's in your hunt?

I have no experience with Tube CD players and Tubes scare me :eek:

No, seriously, I'm open to all ideas and will certainly add to the list. I'll add the Jolida for starters since that's < $1K

2+2 wrote:

How do you compare CD players in the shop? I mean, you will be hearing each player in a different system with different speakers, amps, preams, etc. I would think it would be extremely difficult to come to any conclusions.... ?? I suppose this can be said for most audio products.... this hobby is rather strange, any way you cut it....

Not really, the shops I've selected all have B&W, Rotel setups and hence I plan to use that as a baseline. Of there there might be a few places which might not have this setup, which might make things tricky.

Zero wrote:

2+2 is right. Auditioning CD players anywhere but in your home and on your system is almost a complete waste of time. If it takes you longer to find what you want - than so be it - but if I were in your shoes... I'd do home auditions.

I agree - but that's wishful thinking! I think it's just so much fun exploring and experimenting than actually buying the product. I personally think that you can't go wrong with any of the products listed above but it's the journey that's so much fun.

The journey begins ...

cfrizz · June 2006

Ok. I'm also on vacation the week of the 4th of July, so if you want to check them out then, let me know.

steveinaz · June 2006

Break the mold:
These are wonderful CD players, especially for hyper-active systems ($1099):

audiobliss · June 2006

Just what exactly is a 'hyper-active' system?

steveinaz · June 2006

over-analytical---too sterile.

audiobliss · June 2006

Ahh. So CEC's signature is generally a bit warm? I knew I always like CEC...:p

cfrizz · June 2006

Snort! You send me a check for that $1099 Steve & I'll be happy to be "Bold & different."

halo · June 2006

My Sheng Ya CD-S10 is available in th cpfm. pm if interested. Am I allowed to promote my own stuff outside of the cpfm. New rules got me confused

steveinaz · June 2006

audiobliss wrote:

Ahh. So CEC's signature is generally a bit warm? I knew I always like CEC...:p

Like a digital turntable baby. I'm keeping mine till it falls apart.

steveinaz · June 2006

cfrizz wrote:

Snort! You send me a check for that $1099 Steve & I'll be happy to be "Bold & different."

Ok, ok he can go the CD-3300 for $499, but he said he had a grand to blow...

venomclan · June 2006

Hi Crazy,
Check out this thread if you havent already:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=20730

Venom

cfrizz · June 2006

The best way to compare cd players is to bring music that you know very, very well. If you know the music, than you will know how it should sound no matter what cd player is playing it.

The player that plays it the way you know it should sound, or even better brings out details that you never heard before, than you've got a winner!

dragon1952 · June 2006

FWIW, the Jolida JD-100 can be had for a lot less than $900. You could probably get one delivered for around $775 from Underwood Hi-Fi.

crazy · June 2006

venomclan wrote:

Hi Crazy,
Check out this thread if you havent already:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=20730

Venom

Sure have! I'm "audiojunky" on the HTGuide forum - but as I've said before, this is a way cooler place to hang out

venomclan · June 2006

crazy wrote:

Sure have! I'm "audiojunky" on the HTGuide forum - but as I've said before, this is a way cooler place to hang out

Hi Crazy,
Sorry I forgot, for some reason I thought you were audioqueso on that site. Nevermind. I agree this place is a lot cooler. There are too many a$$holes over there, including the tyrant-like owner. I post there on occasion.
Venom

Roy Munson · June 2006

Does anyone know what the difference between the CEC CD3300 and the CD3300R is? AudioCubes has the 3300 for $429.00 and the 3300R for $469.00. Is the 3300R a newer model? I assume that shipping is extra.

And has anyone here done business with AudioCubes before?

I've tried several CD players lately and I have yet to find the one for me and I'm still looking.

steveinaz · June 2006

Yes, a little different styling (look at the display) and I think a minor change in DAC's. The "R" is avalable in black and (I think) in silver. The CD-3300 is gold. Click my link and you can see the CD-3300...

I haven't ordered thru audiocubes, I grabbed my CEC for the short time that Audio Advisor was carrying them.

halo · June 2006

Roy Munson wrote:

I've tried several CD players lately and I have yet to find the one for me and I'm still looking.

Roy - see post #15

Or go here: link

audiobliss · June 2006

Hmm. I'm very intrigued by CEC's CDP's, or transports, rather. I need to stop looking at them, as I already have the CDP department taken care of!`

Roy Munson · June 2006

Halo wrote:

Roy - see post #15 Or go here: link

If this were a Jolida or a New Tube I might be real interested!

steveinaz · June 2006

I really like the CEC TL51 series. the 51Z is a CD player, the 51 is a transport. Both the CD-3300 and 5300 are CDP's (built in DAC's).

Roy Munson · June 2006

Steve, I'm thinking real seriously about trying a 3300. I've tried several CD players lately including a NAD C542 that I am currently using. But I still prefer [now don't laugh] my Denon 1500 mkII that I bought new back in the 80's. LOL For $429.00 plus shipping the 3300 seems like a decent deal but it would be a blind buy..no one around here carries it, so I can't audition it.

Decisions, decisions????

halo · June 2006

Roy Munson wrote:

If this were a Jolida or a New Tube I might be real interested!

To each his own. Good luck!

Roy Munson · June 2006

I'll check it out.

steveinaz · June 2006

Roy Munson wrote:

Steve, I'm thinking real seriously about trying a 3300. I've tried several CD players lately including a NAD C542 that I am currently using. But I still prefer [now don't laugh] my Denon 1500 mkII that I bought new back in the 80's. LOL For $429.00 plus shipping the 3300 seems like a decent deal but it would be a blind buy..no one around here carries it, so I can't audition it.

Decisions, decisions????

I'll try to give a synopsis:

Build is very good, about 11.5lbs and front face is metal and about an 1/8" thick. It has analog outputs of RCA, AES/EBU; digital outputs of Coaxial, Toslink, and AES/EBU. The AC cord is an IEC variety (removable/upgradeable). The 3300 doesn't use muting circuits but rather relays, which are said to be better for fidelity. When you press buttons you'll hear a solid relay *click*. I'm not sure of all the benefits of "LEF" "Load effect free" circuitry you'll have to search that. As a comparison to the Cambridge D500SE it replaced, I found that the CEC had a little sweeter treble, slightly more nuetral midrange, and a more solid/deeper bass. The CEC sound has more depth to it than the D500SE, more 3-dimensional soundstage. I would say it's a touch more "warm" than the D500SE in tonal character---wether that means it's less "accurate" I don't know, it definitely makes it more listenable. It's a little kinder with poor recordings--but still tells it like it is; a poor recording is a poor recording.

As a transport it stomped all over my $699 Denon DVD-2910. Much smoother, articulate, and far less glare. It just sounded more "musical."

Some short comings:

- Repair support is in Canada (Mutine Corp)
- Don't lose the $45 remote (personal experience)
- Be careful loading CD's, the drawer doesn't open completely

Highlights:

- Very quiet in operation
- Build quality, smoothness of controls/drawer
- Nice display
- Every connection (sans AT&T fiber) known to man
- Wonderful sound

NOTE: Because of the relay operation, when you load a CD wait until you hear the *click* and the display shows track 1, this lets you know the player has read the disc contents and is ready. If you jump the gun and hit play before the CD is read, it'll just sit there, confused--which is remedied by opening/closing the drawer again. It's not a flaw, it's the way the design works.

A review: http://202.186.86.35/audio/story.asp?file=/2004/3/25/audiofile/25cec&sec=audiofile

Hope this helps.

The Hunt for the ULTIMATE CD Player < $1000

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