Single Disc CD Players :

[davidvwebber]

What is the best sounding single disc CD player , from $ 200 to $ 300 ?
Extra " feaures " aren't important , just the sound . [ Of course , I need to see which track and the time , etc. ] Is the Burr - Brown still the best DAC ?
I realize the chip is only the start , and that the unit must also have equal quality electronics to support the chip !
Also , where are the best places to buy these .

TIA ,
David V. Webber

[nick29498141]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

For that price range, I have no idea. The Oppo would be my best guess...

But always check the used market, you can sometimes snag a high-end unit for little cash...

www.audiogon.com

Example: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....lay&1221235623

While $390 isn't exactly pocket change, Meridian players pull much more than that, on a regular basis. Now it's no 808, but the 506 is still a very nice player.

[AJ]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

All the cd players in your price range from popular brands should sound the same, even dvd players. However I wouldn't suggest Marantz/Denon because I've never been impressed with their build quality, at least in the less expensive units, but i'm sure thats one of the first brands that will be suggested. Pick one that has the features you need, and at the right price. If you want sound quality gains, put the extra money into your speakers.

[wingnut]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

What is the best sounding single disc CD player , from $ 200 to $ 300 ?
Extra " feaures " aren't important , just the sound . [ Of course , I need to see which track and the time , etc. ] Is the Burr - Brown still the best DAC ?
I realize the chip is only the start , and that the unit must also have equal quality electronics to support the chip !
Also , where are the best places to buy these .

TIA ,
David V. Webber

This Marantz player is nice:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...-Player/1.html

You might also check out Pioneer and Denon. Both brands have consistently had great sounding players in that price range over the years. Also, some of the Oppo universal players have gotten great press for their sound quality. Another option is to get the transport (most are pretty good) and an outboard DAC. Some of the DACs made 10 years ago still kick buttt today. Check Ebay and Craigslist.

Good luck!

Toby

[wingnut]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

All the cd players in your price range from popular brands should sound the same, even dvd players. However I wouldn't suggest Marantz/Denon because I've never been impressed with their build quality, at least in the less expensive units, but i'm sure thats one of the first brands that will be suggested. Pick one that has the features you need, and at the right price. If you want sound quality gains, put the extra money into your speakers.

I agree with you AJ that speaks are the best place to invest for good sound, but source equipment is pretty important, too. There can be big differences in sound from players in that price range. Truly, the best option would be an outboard DAC. Lots of options there in the used market as Nick pointed out.

Forgot to mention, Burr-Brown is still a great DAC chip, but there are a number of other good ones out there as well.

Toby

[Todd G.]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

If you are interested in used, a Sony ES unit from early '90's through 2000-ish might be your ticket. I've got a couple of 777's and a 555, all of which are built on a solid machined aluminium frame and are structurally the best built and mechanically the best functioning CD players I've ever seen by far. They also have optical and coax output for newer a/d converters if you feel they're needed. These units were consistantly in Stereophile's Class A. I haven't checked prices or availability, but if you can find one of these units in good shape they would be worth looking into.

[AJ]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

Ones and Zeros, thats all it is, just Ones and Zeros. If there are big differences between CD source equipment, please show me the level matched AB or AB-X data that has you convinced.

[nick29498141]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

Brace Yourselves, Here We Go Again!! :p:p

[wingnut]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

Ones and Zeros, thats all it is, just Ones and Zeros. If there are big differences between CD source equipment, please show me the level matched AB or AB-X data that has you convinced.

[johnastockman]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

What is the best sounding single disc CD player , from $ 200 to $ 300 ?
Extra " feaures " aren't important , just the sound . [ Of course , I need to see which track and the time , etc. ] Is the Burr - Brown still the best DAC ?
I realize the chip is only the start , and that the unit must also have equal quality electronics to support the chip !
Also , where are the best places to buy these .

TIA ,
David V. Webber

I'll be getting one of the Cambridge, which came highly recommended by Jeff Bagby. IIRC, he has the 640C. My budget is a bit smaller, so I'll be going with the 340C:

http://www.spearitsound.com/Cambridg...Audio_340c.asp

Slightly over your budget, but if you look around on Spearit's site, they have demo's and re-furb's with warranties that might come in under $300. Jeff recommended Spearit...they even sent him an NAD and a Cambridge to compare and said send back the one you don't want. I think Shawn A. has heard the Cambridge at Jeff's house.

John A.

[AJ]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

Video displays vary because of the quality of the films and the light source used. Response time and refresh rates also will vary between cheap and expensive units. If the audio we heard was in the 1Mhz area I'd agree with you, but it isn't. Even extremely cheap IC's are plenty fast enough for the audio band to not add their own distortions.

Sorry Nick, no flame throwing here. Non-civil threads are a waste of time as they never get anywhere.

[nick29498141]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

I'll be getting one of the Cambridge, which came highly recommended by Jeff Bagby. IIRC, he has the 640C. My budget is a bit smaller, so I'll be going with the 340C:

http://www.spearitsound.com/Cambridg...Audio_340c.asp

Slightly over your budget, but if you look around on Spearit's site, they have demo's and re-furb's with warranties that might come in under $300. Jeff recommended Spearit...they even sent him an NAD and a Cambridge to compare and said send back the one you don't want. I think Shawn A. has heard the Cambridge at Jeff's house.

John A.

I REALLY like the 840C... If there's any "trickle-down" to the 340.. Then I'm sure you'll enjoy it too!

[markk]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

While I agree that the information on the CD is the same, the DA conversion and error correction are pretty important.

You can take a decent used transport, and add on a solid DAC.

Or, something like this is a solid midrange choice (I know it's a bit more than your budget, but pretty nice.)

http://www.spearitsound.com/Cambridg...dio_540cv2.asp

[johnastockman]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

I REALLY like the 840C... If there's any "trickle-down" to the 340.. Then I'm sure you'll enjoy it too!

Oh yeah, that's the one I'd choose, too! If my funds allowed it...but I think you're correct about the "trickle down". I'll be taking delivery of my new motorcycle next month, bought with the money I got from the sale of my Gold Wing. I thought I would have a bit more $$ left over, but it looks like I won't have enough to get one of the better models, like the 540 or 640. So I think the 340 will be a big step up from the modded Technics SL-PG500 player I have now. It's an oldie-but-goody and will serve duty in the family room with another oldie-goody, my Yamaha CR-420 receiver.

John A.

[wingnut]

Re: Single Disc CD Players :

Video displays vary because of the quality of the films and the light source used. Response time and refresh rates also will vary between cheap and expensive units. If the audio we heard was in the 1Mhz area I'd agree with you, but it isn't. Even extremely cheap IC's are plenty fast enough for the audio band to not add their own distortions.

Sorry Nick, no flame throwing here. Non-civil threads are a waste of time as they never get anywhere.

Not worth arguing AJ. You're too nice a kid to beat up on (just kidding)

Again, the 1s and 0s are interpreted. Not all DACs do it the same. Different techniques of DAC, different designs. Besides, the analog circuitry can be easily polluted with noise by a poor design. What about transport jitter?

Remember, these are complex machines, not interconnects.

Agree to disagree?

Toby