How about some suggestions for a new CD player

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MusicDirector

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At the suggestion of Northstar here I would like to have some suggestions for a new CD Player to look at. What I had (still do actually, but no longer in use) is a Onkyo CDP-390, a 6 disc carousel player. Had it for about 4 or 5 years until recently it started eating CDs!. It has eaten 8 CDs in the past 2 months and I got tired of having to unhook it open it up and retreive the CD. It's actually a decent player with a Burr-Brown DAC, but there is a major design flaw in the tray system. I'm surprised it has not eaten CDs before.
As much as I like the conveinance of a multi-disc player, I am done with those now as they are problematic. I am currently using my Yamaha DVD player to play CDs, but it is a PITA! I need a dedicated CD player again. Plus I'm oldschool (hell, I'm probably also hood and don't know it), so I like dedicated players.
Since I need to get a new CDP, I might as well upgrade while I'm at it. I'm looking for a CDP with a good dac in it (if possible). I'd like a single tray unit. Slot-loaders scare me and I'm not so sure that top-loaders are solid enough to last more than a year or two. That said though, I may have to have a bit more open mind to designs. I need something that will play CD-Rs, ones that have been directly printed on an ink jet photo printer. That leaves most, if not all Slot-loaders out of the running I think. (I know my car stereo and Tascam won't play those at least).
I'd like to keep it around $300 to $600 and see what that would get me. Lower is always better of course.
Let me know if you need more info such as the system it will be in and I'll provide that.
Thanks,
Eric
 
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Some recommendations with list prices. Discounts and used will be in your ballpark.

Cambridge Audio Azur 650BD: $649
The compact and attractive 650BD universal player has outputs for 7.1-channel analog audio, coaxial and optical digital audio, component/composite/S-video, and HDMI, as well as USB and Ethernet ports. Though it couldn’t match the Sony XA-5000ES or Oppo BDP-83SE in terms of detail or smoothness, the 650BD sounded superb via its HDMI output, providing full-bandwidth high-definition audio, either bitstreamed or PCM-converted, and SACD signals as either DSD or PCM. “The Azur 650BD is a very competent universal player that would not be embarrassed in almost any audio system,” concluded KR. (Vol.33 No.7 Read Review Online)

NAD C 565BEE: $800
The C 565BEE uses a Texas Instruments sample-rate converter for upsampling to 96 or 192kHz; Wolfson DACs in a dual-differential configuration for improved 192kHz performance; and top-of-the-line Burr-Brown output-stage op-amps. It offers an optical digital input, a front-panel USB input, and four analog filter settings. “For an $800 CD player, the NAD C 565BEE sounded just fine,” but lacked the air and resolution of more expensive players, said ST. (Vol.32 No.10)

NAD C 515BEE: $300
NAD’s most affordable CD player is designed to match the company’s C 316BEE integrated amplifier. It measures 17" W by 2.4" H by 9.5" D, weighs just 7.75 lbs, and comes with a small remote control. Though it lacks a digital input, the C 515BEE can play MP3- and WMA-formatted recordings burned to CD-R or CD-RW discs. It uses a Cirrus Logic 24-bit/192kHz sigma-delta DAC and an audio-specific Texas Instruments 5532 dual op-amp. Though it lacked the bass weight and extension of Emotiva’s ERC-2 and couldn’t match the midrange warmth of the Sony PlayStation 1, the NAD offered a smooth, coherent overall sound, with fast, clean transients and a large soundstage, said SM. (Vol.35 No.2 Read Review Online)

Emotiva ERC-2: $449
Exceptionally well built, the ERC-2 has a satiny black faceplate of brushed aluminum and comes with a substantial remote control. It has separate power supplies for the analog and digital electronics and uses a slot-loading Toshiba transport and an Analog Devices AD1955 DAC. Though it lacked some midrange warmth and texture, the Emotiva had a punchy, authoritative sound, with clean highs and well-controlled lows, said SM. See JA’s Follow-Up in the April 2012 issue. Sold direct with a 30-day return policy. (Vol.34 No.12, Vol.35 No.1 Read Review Online)

Marantz CD5004: $349.99 $$$
Designed to match Marantz’s entry-level PM5004 integrated amplifier, this gorgeous CD player uses the company’s proprietary Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules, trickled down from their Reference Series components, and incorporates Cirrus Logic’s SACD-quality CS4392 D/A converters. It includes a buffered headphone amplifier and jack, variable pitch control (designed for musician play-along), a Q Replay button on the remote control that repeats the last 10 seconds played of the current track, and an IR Flasher input to provide connectivity to other components. The CD5004 exhibited surprisingly good low-level dynamic articulation and ambience retrieval while producing clean, extended highs and a rich, delicate midrange, said BJR. JA was similarly impressed: “That Marantz can offer this level of performance for just $350 is astonishing.” (Vol.34 No.3 Read Review Online)


Music Hall cd15.2: $499
Designed to partner with Music Hall’s a15.2 integrated amplifier, the cd15.2 CD player uses a Sanyo DA11SLM transport mechanism and a 24-bit/192kHz-capable Burr-Brown DAC. Though it lacked the resolution and bass weight of more expensive players, the cd15.2 offered a sweet, harmonically rich sound. “The a15.2-cd15.2 pairing is a success,” said ST, adding that it “just plays the music and gets on with it. Cheap and cheerful.” (Vol.33 No.12)
 
Thanks Joe.
Definitely not going "used" on a CD Player, bad idea.
From your list (and thank you for being so detailed), I will check out the NAD C 565BEE (even though it's a bit pricey), but I will use it for comparrison purposes.
I really like the Marantz suggestion.
I've been looking around a little over the past month and Oppo is off my list as well as that Cambridge model you listed. I do not need or want a "universal player". I just got a Ruko 3, I have 2 DVD players and I do not see any SACDs in my future.
Very sadly the Emotiva CD player is no good. Many many folks have had problems with them ranging from not loading discs to catching fire! I like the looks of Emotiva equipment and I hear their amps are good value for dollar though. (I am interested thier amps later on). I'm going to have a chance to talk with Emotiva this next weekend....I hope.
Not a fan of Music Hall.
 
Thanks :)

Eric,

I am sure there are others and we hope to find them for you. It may take some time but there's something out there for you.
 
Try this, see the specs and the low price:

Tascam CD-355 - Rack Mountable 5-Disc CD Changer CD-355 B&H

I have this unit and I have to say am VERY happy with it.

It uses a Teac drive mechanism that I am told is just one notch below the Esoteric K-03. [Maybe TWO steps below the K-03]

497036.jpg


IMG_3999.jpg
 
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joeinid said:
Thanks :)

Eric,

I am sure there are others and we hope to find them for you. It may take some time but there's something out there for you.
Click to expand...

I have no doubt. Like I said, I don't need to pick one up tomorrow, but within the next 1 to 4 months (if need be that long) would be good.
I must do the homework on all the suggestions I have not looked at of course. I'm OCD about that too.:)
I don't read or trust audio magazines. I like to look at specs (just the main ones) and carefully look at customer reviews and most importantly, hear from those who own or have owned or have experience with whatever unit I am interested in when possible.
The most important things to me are:
Ability to play CD-Rs printed with an ink jet
Build quality
Sound quality (which of course, includes the dac).
 
GaryProtein said:
Try this, see the specs and the low price:

Tascam CD-355 - Rack Mountable 5-Disc CD Changer CD-355 B&H

I have this unit and I have to say am VERY happy with it.

It uses a Teac drive mechanism that I am told is just one notch below the Esoteric K-03. [Maybe TWO steps below the K-03]

497036.jpg


IMG_3999.jpg
Click to expand...

That's interesting. I might take a look at it. By the way, Tascam is the pro line of Teac. I have a Tascam CDRW900SL that I use strictly for recording purposes.
 
Does it have to be a "carousel" CD player? ...Or is a single disc CD player good enough?

* SINGLE:
- Oppo BDP-103
- Rotel RCD-1072 (look for a sale)

* CAROUSSEL:
- Rotel (forgot the model number, and not sure if it's not a type of cartridge a la Pioneer style).

__________________

I agree, I hate slot loaders too. ...And never I would buy an Emotiva CD player, or a surround sound processor. ...That's me. :)
NAD CD players; I dunno, are they reliable (over the long run)?

Cambridge? Perhaps, but I never owned one personally.
Music Hall? Same as above.
Marantz? I still prefer Rotel. :) ...Those I own.

Yeah, Oppo, or Rotel, or both. :) ...That's me, and in your price range.

*** Eric, do you have any SACDS? ...HDCDs?
 
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NorthStar said:
Does it have to be a "carousel" CD player? ...Or is a single disc CD player good enough?

* SINGLE:
- Oppo BDP-103
- Rotel RCD-1072 (look for a sale)

* CAROUSSEL:
- Rotel (forgot the model number, and not sure if it's not a type of cartridge a la Pioneer style).

__________________

I agree, I hate slot loaders too. ...And never I would buy an Emotiva CD player, or a surround sound processor. ...That's me. :)
NAD CD players; I dunno, are they reliable (over the long run)?

Cambridge? Perhaps, but I never owned one personally.
Music Hall? Same as above.
Marantz? I still prefer Rotel. :) ...Those I own.

Yeah, Oppo, or Rotel, or both. :) ...That's me, and in your price range.

*** Eric, do you have any SACDS? ...HDCDs?
Click to expand...

No, it does not have to be a carousel or multi-disc player. Those might be convieniant, but they are also problematic. I know of no slot loader that will play CD-Rs that have print on them and especially labels on them. I don't have any with labels anymore, but I do have printed ones and I guess they are not smooth enough as they are not glossy.
I'm staying clear of the Emotiva CD player after reading stuff on their own forums and also the Surround processor. I will eventually take a look at their amps and maybe the DAC if I ever need one.
I'm going to be studying most of the suggestions, NAD, Marantz.... I've heard Cambridge gear before and was not impressed. However, I'm still going to look at any strictly CD players they may have.
So Marantz is no good? What's bad about them? Is Rotel better because they are more expensive? I hope that's not the philosophy because that would mean we are going into the C-word territory (the long flexible things that go behind systems) which I hate and will not talk about.
No, I don't have any SACDS or HDCDs and don't see any in my future.
Oppo is off my list, I don't need a multi player.
 
Did I say Marantz was no good? ...No, I did not say that; I said that I still prefer Rotel.
Did I say that I preferred Rotel because they cost more than Marantz CD players? ...No I did not say that.
- By the way, Marantz CD players are much more expensive than Rotel CD players (several of their models).

What I'm saying now is this: today and yesterday, for roughly $300 to $600 I prefer a Rotel CD player.
Why? Simply because for me Rotel has a more detailed, natural sound.
Marantz has a pleasing sound, and more towards euphony (fabricated/tuned) than natural. ...It is also more fatiguing, I think. And in the long run, it gets tiring.

Rotel on the other hand is more musical, and not fatiguing (unless a bad recording of course).

Remember, I'm talking from past experience here, and from players in the $500 to roughly $2,000 range.
And I certainly did not listen to all the CD players below $601. :)

This is me, and me only, and nobody else; get an Oppo BDP-103 ($499) as a CD player only playback machine.
...Or get a Rotel CD player that cost $699 MSRP (about $499 street). ...Like the Rotel RCD-1072.
And this, is what I truly believe that will make you very happy for a very very long time. :)
 
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MusicDirector...Joe's suggestions are all good. If you go entry level Cambridge Audio, NAD, Marantz, or Parasound, you will find a lot in your price range. Here are some other models with list prices and links that are not duplicated above:

1) Parasound Zcd Player ($399): Parasound - Zcd - CD Player / USB Player-Audio Advisor
PAZCD_F.jpg
PAZCD_R.jpg


2) NAD 546BEE ($500): NAD - C-546BEE - CD Player-Audio Advisor
NAC546BEE_STR.jpg
NAC546BEE_R.jpg


3)Marantz CD-6004 ($500): Marantz - CD-6004 - Single Disc CD Player-Audio Advisor
MACD6004_F.jpg
MACD6004_R.jpg


4) Cambridge Audio 351 CD ($549): Cambridge Audio - 351C CD Player-Audio Advisor
CA351C_BLK.jpg
CA351C_R.jpg
 
cmalak said:
Bob...I was going to include Arcam's entry level CD player, the CD-17, but it retails for $800 I think, although I am sure you can find it for $700 if you negotiate.
Click to expand...

Yes, street prices are more realistic here as they are the prices paid, and not MSRP.

Like the Rotel RCD-1072 ($699 retail), you can find for $499 street.

The Arcam CD-17 ($799 retail), I bet you can get for $599 street!

And that's what our OP is looking for as well.

Like if I find the Oppo BDP-95 for around $699, I would buy it, even if it's $99 over my budget.
And I know that you can get it for around that price.

And of course the Oppo BDP-103 ($499) is another excellent option.
 
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I have a Marantz SA8004 that I picked up from Music Direct as a demo unit for $750. I have nothing but good things to say about it....like pretty much everyone else who has heard or reviewed it. It has digital in via USB A, USB B, Coax, and TosLink. The front USB allows you to plug in an ipod and bypass the iPod's dac and it has a headphone out. It's nice to have the ability to add a music server, squeezebox, etc. if you feel like it.

“So if your Red Book player is a bit long in the tooth, this new two-channel-only, musically authoritative Marantz model, with outstanding SACD performance in addition, is a music lover’s dream at a price that feels like theft. It’s hard to imagine anyone who know what real music sounds like not being seduced. I bought the review sample!”
– Paul Seydor, The Absolute Sound, Golden Ear Award 2011

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-13075-marantz-sa8004-sacd-cd-player.aspx

 
NorthStar said:
Did I say Marantz was no good? ...No, I did not say that; I said that I still prefer Rotel.
Did I say that I preferred Rotel because they cost more than Marantz CD players? ...No I did not say that.
- By the way, Marantz CD players are much more expensive than Rotel CD players (several of their models).

What I'm saying now is this: today and yesterday, for roughly $300 to $600 I prefer a Rotel CD player.
Why? Simply because for me Rotel has a more detailed, natural sound.
Marantz has a pleasing sound, and more towards euphony (fabricated/tuned) than natural. ...It is also more fatiguing, I think. And in the long run, it gets tiring.

Rotel on the other hand is more musical, and not fatiguing (unless a bad recording of course).

Remember, I'm talking from past experience here, and from players in the $500 to roughly $2,000 range.
And I certainly did not listen to all the CD players below $601. :)

This is me, and me only, and nobody else; get an Oppo BDP-103 ($499) as a CD player only playback machine.
...Or get a Rotel CD player that cost $699 MSRP (about $499 street). ...Like the Rotel RCD-1072.
And this, is what I truly believe that will make you very happy for a very very long time. :)
Click to expand...

Sorry for misunderstanding you Bob. I guess I took too many hits to the head in the other place. I mus-interpreted your question mark after Marantz to mean you thought they were not worth considering. Again, my bad. I must have missed the day Rotel rolled out CDPs in my range. I have added Rotel to the list. I'd much rather have a natural sound because that is closer to the intent of the music. I feel the Oppo would be a waste of money for me and trying to do too many things rather than a good focus on doing one thing well.
 
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