Wanted : CD Player

[IansDad88(Don)]

OK, so I'm back again (Yay.! hold the applause..) and I'm gonna throw this out there (even though I suspect know how it's gonna go,) because as always, I'm still interested in as many opinions as possible. - I think there are only 3, but even so, I'm always interested in the products listed as recommendations.

It's not a poll, but my guess is everyone falls onto one of these:

1. WTF are you thinking, just stream your music (and or rip your discs already!)
2. Don't bother just use an old DVD or BD player. - Or how do you not have an Xbox or Playstation - and finally...
3. If you have to buy something, then don't waste a lot of money and get "......"

I don't have an old or spare disc player presently (other than a Discman I recently unearthed in an old box from my basement.Yuck, how's that for dating myself.)

I write that only because if one of the first two above s your reply, it's already noted and would be redundant to repeat...

Let the games begin!.

 

[bladerunner6]

Check Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. I got a working Pioneer 300 disc changer for $10. eBay might be good but with shipping you are probably better going local.

it depends on what you want and what you are using it with.

 

[Verdinut]

OK, so I'm back again (Yay.! hold the applause..) and I'm gonna throw this out there (even though I suspect know how it's gonna go,) because as always, I'm still interested in as many opinions as possible. - I think there are only 3, but even so, I'm always interested in the products listed as recommendations.

It's not a poll, but my guess is everyone falls onto one of these:

1. WTF are you thinking, just stream your music (and or rip your discs already!)
2. Don't bother just use an old DVD or BD player. - Or how do you not have an Xbox or Playstation - and finally...
3. If you have to buy something, then don't waste a lot of money and get "......"

I don't have an old or spare disc player presently (other than a Discman I recently unearthed in an old box from my basement.Yuck, how's that for dating myself.)

I write that only because if one of the first two above s your reply, it's already noted and would be redundant to repeat...

Let the games begin!.

Why do you insist in getting a CD player? They are no longer being manufactured except for expensive flagship models that cost over $500.

Even affordable DVD players are no longer manufactured. If you want a CD player, you have to look for a used unit, either on Craiglist or on eBay.

However, you can purchase a Blu-ray player nowadays for less than $100, and it will play CDs better than any CD player.

 

[TLS Guy]

OK, so I'm back again (Yay.! hold the applause..) and I'm gonna throw this out there (even though I suspect know how it's gonna go,) because as always, I'm still interested in as many opinions as possible. - I think there are only 3, but even so, I'm always interested in the products listed as recommendations.

It's not a poll, but my guess is everyone falls onto one of these:

1. WTF are you thinking, just stream your music (and or rip your discs already!)
2. Don't bother just use an old DVD or BD player. - Or how do you not have an Xbox or Playstation - and finally...
3. If you have to buy something, then don't waste a lot of money and get "......"

I don't have an old or spare disc player presently (other than a Discman I recently unearthed in an old box from my basement.Yuck, how's that for dating myself.)

I write that only because if one of the first two above s your reply, it's already noted and would be redundant to repeat...

Let the games begin!.

If you must have CD player, which is obsolete technology, then you really need to go vintage. New ones appear to be high priced and not work very well.
In the last few days we have a member complaining an $800 CD player sends pops through his speakers.

There are quite a few older ones on eBay, most are dinged or missing remotes. Ones in good shape are going for too much money.

However this one seems like a winner at a reasonable price.

It probably won't be there long.

You have not given us a good explanation as to why you want a CD player only, rather than something more universal.

 

[lovinthehd]

I use bluray players for all my disc needs, but in one older more analog gear setup, I use a dvd player. I still play cds, sacds, dvds, blurays and even my own rips on discs (cd and dvd), tho not so much cds these days as I've ripped them all and play them from various drives (but the harder ones to rip--sacd, dvvd, bluray--I generally still just play the disc (altho have a few multich dvd music rips using DVD Audio Extractor). I did use a PS3 for a while, too. Even if I didn't have anything but cd's to play the bluray/dvd/game console players work well.

If you have only old analog capable gear to plug it in to, then you might need a player with analog connections which are getting rarer somewhat but plenty of machines out there can do it. Heck I'd give you my old Sony cd changer if you were nearby, don't use that any more (but worked last time I did). I see players frequently on our craigslist that could work.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

If you must have CD player, which is obsolete technology, then you really need to go vintage. New ones appear to be high priced and not work very well.
In the last few days we have a member complaining an $800 CD player sends pops through his speakers.

There are quite a few older ones on eBay, most are dinged or missing remotes. Ones in good shape are going for too much money.

However this one seems like a winner at a reasonable price.

It probably won't be there long.

You have not given us a good explanation as to why you want a CD player only, rather than something more universal.

. I had sorta hope that "because I want one?" might suffice. Bleh, I guess it's the wrong forum for that.

In truth, despite the universal distaste for them on this forum, there are several manufacturers that still make them. Or versions of, in one fashion or another. A4L has a few Denon and Yamaha models. Nothing fancy, nothing very expensive, and unlike an old used rattling DVD player, some people maybe wouldn't be embarrassed to have them with thier components.

I have a lotta CD's and like to play them.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

BTW, vinyl is technically obsolete isn't it..? Forgive the blasphemy.

 

[sterling shoote]

Buy this: Sony UBP-X1100ES. It plays virtually all disc formats.

 

[TLS Guy]

. I had sorta hope that "because I want one?" might suffice. Bleh, I guess it's the wrong forum for that.

In truth, despite the universal distaste for them on this forum, there are several manufacturers that still make them. Or versions of, in one fashion or another. A4L has a few Denon and Yamaha models. Nothing fancy, nothing very expensive, and unlike an old used rattling DVD player, some people maybe wouldn't be embarrassed to have them with thier components.

I have a lotta CD's and like to play them.

There is not a universal distaste for CD players. It is a matter of practicality. Demand for them is low and they only play one format. So production numbers are low and they have lost the economics of scale. The point is there are players that play CDs DVDs, BDs and some play SACD as well. I have all those formats. So because of economics CD players are now expensive and they won't play CDs better than any other of the disc players I mentioned above. So we are trying to get you to articulate the point. May be you have a point that we have not understood. We just have a feeling that you think that a CD player will sound better than the more universal players. If so, that is just plain wrong.

The analogy to vinyl is not valid, as you can only play vinyl on a turntable. Since I'm an old guy, I have lots of old formats including reel to reel tapes. The equipment to play them is all vintage, which also gives me pleasure. I did sell my vintage Revox CD player a few years back, when a member talked me into it. However I did not really think I would use it, like I use my turntables.

It just seems odd to me that you want to keep it a great secret why you want to buy a CD player, as to us there seems a lack of logic about it.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

There is not a universal distaste for CD players. It is a matter of practicality. Demand for them is low and they only play one format. So production numbers are low and they have lost the economics of scale. The point is there are players that play CDs DVDs, BDs and some play SACD as well. I have all those formats. So because of economics CD players are now expensive and they won't play CDs better than any other of the disc players I mentioned above. So we are trying to get you to articulate the point. May be you have a point that we have not understood. We just have a feeling that you think that a CD player will sound better than the more universal players. If so, that is just plain wrong.

The analogy to vinyl is not valid, as you can only play vinyl on a turntable. Since I'm an old guy, I have lots of old formats including reel to reel tapes. The equipment to play them is all vintage, which also gives me pleasure. I did sell my vintage Revox CD player a few years back, when a member talked me into it. However I did not really think I would use it, like I use my turntables.

It just seems odd to me that you want to keep it a great secret why you want to buy a CD player, as to us there seems a lack of logic about it.

> It just seems odd to me that you want to keep it a great secret why you want to buy a CD player, as to us there seems a lack of logic about it.

Honestly, it's no secret and I thought I'd pointed that out already. I've never intimated, or opined even on "better sounding" 44/16 digital doesn't care about the medium its played from. I just have a life long stack of CD's. Maybe not unlike you. I'm also old and have bought and thrown out or wore out every album I've bought on every format available it seems. I lost my "albums" some point in a mystery still unsolved to this date when I left for basic training so many years ago. I don't have SACD's and I don't need a multi function player.

I like my CD's... I like em like people like vinyl (aside from the sound) because I enjoy the tactile aspect of having it in my hand, opening the carriage tray and listening the way I have my whole life. I'd.much rather grab a cd than scour a HD on my phone, tablet or PC. I can already do that with my other components. Truly I thought that was clear, and if not, well it is now,.and that's obviously on me.

As far as old. DVD players go, I may have been too cryptic. Sure they'll play my discs. But they are all cheap plastic and they tattle and vibrate and I can't stand it... So in my ignorance maybe, I'm considering buying something a bit more substantial that I won't hear like a loose license plate in my little music haven.

I just thought someone might have a thought. I have a bad habit of asking dumb questions and getting eclectic responses.

Lastly,. I totally get that many reccomendarions here are based primarily or at least partially on economics. I'm clearly not interested in the Uber products. I'd have asked a better smarter question.

 

[TLS Guy]

> It just seems odd to me that you want to keep it a great secret why you want to buy a CD player, as to us there seems a lack of logic about it.

Honestly, it's no secret and I thought I'd pointed that out already. I've never intimated, or opined even on "better sounding" 44/16 digital doesn't care about the medium its played from. I just have a life long stack of CD's. Maybe not unlike you. I'm also old and have bought and thrown out or wore out every album I've bought on every format available it seems. I lost my "albums" some point in a mystery still unsolved to this date when I left for basic training so many years ago. I don't have SACD's and I don't need a multi function player.

I like my CD's... I like em like people like vinyl (aside from the sound) because I enjoy the tactile aspect of having it in my hand, opening the carriage tray and listening the way I have my whole life. I'd.much rather grab a cd than scour a HD on my phone, tablet or PC. I can already do that with my other components. Truly I thought that was clear, and if not, well it is now,.and that's obviously on me.

As far as old. DVD players go, I may have been too cryptic. Sure they'll play my discs. But they are all cheap plastic and they tattle and vibrate and I can't stand it... So in my ignorance maybe, I'm considering buying something a bit more substantial that I won't hear like a loose license plate in my little music haven.

I just thought someone might have a thought. I have a bad habit of asking dumb questions and getting eclectic responses.

Lastly,. I totally get that many reccomendarions here are based primarily or at least partially on economics. I'm clearly not interested in the Uber products. I'd have asked a better smarter question.

I can understand why you want to play CDs and so do I. I did a search for you, and really that is not much on offer. If you want something solid, then my best recommendation is the Tascam professional CD player. That has been made for years and built like a tank. That really is the only stand alone CD player left that meets your description. Now I understand where you are coming from, I can give you a definite and solid recommendation.

It is made for 19" rack mounting, but you take take the mounting "ears" off if you want.

It was made for studios, and that is why it records. Studios had them so they could burn a quick CD for a customer. I'm surprised they still make this, as we now burn a CD from the CD burner drive in the DAW, or more usually download the Wav. file to a thumb drive or send the Wav. files to the customer over the Internet.

I have a similar unit from Marantz, which is long NLA. In the picture below it is in the second rack. I used that before I built my first DAW in 2002. The current one was built about five years ago.

So that gives you an idea how these CD units were used, but not really any more, as the state of the art has moved on.

In that second rack there is from top to bottom, a Revox A700 tape recorder, an Eq, the RME DAC for the DAW, the DAW, a DAT recorder, and at the bottom the UPS for that rack. To the right is the screen and key board for the DAW and a 16 channel mix panel on a pull out draw.

I know I'm a hoarder.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

I can understand why you want to play CDs and so do I. I did a search for you, and really that is not much on offer. If you want something solid, then my best recommendation is the Tascam professional CD player. That has been made for years and built like a tank. That really is the only stand alone CD player left that meets your description. Now I understand where you are coming from, I can give you a definite and solid recommendation.

It is made for 19" rack mounting, but you take take the mounting "ears" off if you want.

It was made for studios, and that is why it records. Studios had them so they could burn a quick CD for a customer. I'm surprised they still make this, as we now burn a CD from the CD burner drive in the DAW, or more usually download the Wav. file to a thumb drive or send the Wav. files to the customer over the Internet.

I have a similar unit from Marantz, which is long NLA. In the picture below it is in the second rack. I used that before I built my first DAW in 2002. The current one was built about five years ago.

So that gives you an idea how these CD units were used, but not really any more, as the state of the art has moved on.

In that second rack there is from top to bottom, a Revox A700 tape recorder, an Eq, the RME DAC for the DAW, the DAW, a DAT recorder, and at the bottom the UPS for that rack. To the right is the screen and key board for the DAW and a 16 channel mix panel on a pull out draw.

I know I'm a hoarder.

Thanks,. I'll look into it...

That's an incredible wall.. Seeing that reel to reel reminds me of being a kid. It was one of the first true HiFi components I'd ever come across and it just blew my mind.

Anyway I'm glad to clear things up and to be honest, I've been looking at anything from a refurbished Denon on A4L to a brand new Marantz CD6007. I just wanna play with my toys ya know...

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks,. I'll look into it...

That's an incredible wall.. Seeing that reel to reel reminds me of being a kid. It was one of the first true HiFi components I'd ever come across and it just blew my mind.

Anyway I'm glad to clear things up and to be honest, I've been looking at anything from a refurbished Denon on A4L to a brand new Marantz CD6007. I just wanna play with my toys ya know...

It's that Marantz CD6007 that is making odd popping noises for another member. Maybe the tray action is quieter....maybe.

 

[Verdinut]

I would verify this Yamaha player which seems to be well built:

Yamaha CD-S303

Single-disc CD player with front-panel USB input

www.crutchfield.com

It looks like it is a newly released product. Crutchfield are waiting for some. Perhaps if you contact them, they might be able to give you an approximate reception date.

 

[wgb113]

A. CDs and CD players are still being produced so they’re not obsolete.
B. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a CD only machine if that’s the only kind of disc you have to play.
C. I counted 9 players on Crutchfield alone that are under $500.

A4L is a great site as well though more limited in brands. Like most things audio related I think it helps to narrow down your choices first within your budget and THEN start researching and asking for feedback.

Denon/Marantz units are usually the same on the budget side of things, more a matter of aesthetics. I’m not a fan of Yamaha’s slim disc tray. There are also options from Cambridge, NAD and Tascam in the sub-$500 arena if that’s where you’re looking.

IMO nothing at all wrong with wanting a CD-only player in 2021 to play your collection on. Good luck with your search and let us know how you make out.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think that a big issue is that while there is nothing wrong with getting a CD player, it may be a bit hard to get anyone who finds that the price for a new player, is necessarily worth it. Mostly because quality of a $500 CD player may not be one bit better than that $80 Blu-ray Disc player.

Which is fine. Spending money on something which looks and feels better isn't necessarily money wasted, but it's important to realize that the drive tray mechanism for almost all CD players is coming off the same assembly line in China that everything else is coming from. Most of it is pretty rickety stuff which will fall apart after just a few years. I've seen top dollar players fail completely due to the drive tray failing over and over again over the years. Such is life.

Knowing this... Knowing that you get zero real world way of knowing how good whatever you get ends up being, I think your best bet is to get something which matches your other system components. The sound quality is very unlikely to be one bit better, but you should get whatever makes you happy overall, and know that if you spend a lot more, you may very well only be buying aesthetics, not actual audio or even build quality.

Still, I would at least look at sites like Crutchfield for some ideas, then if you are on a bit of a budget, I would hit up Craigslist and eBay to see what may be on the used market which you can get.

CD Players at Crutchfield

Shopping for CD Players? Our Virginia-based experts love helping folks find the right gear. Get FREE 2-day shipping and free lifetime tech support with your order.

www.crutchfield.com

If you are a fan of a particular brand, then that's where I would probably start. I'm a fan of Rotel gear after excellent quality and use over the years, so I would likely lean that direction for a stand alone CD player.

Rotel RCD-1070 audiophile CD and HDCD player black & silver w/ remote | eBay

Tested to sound great.

www.ebay.com

There are so many used CD players on the market which come in at a good value, and there are new models which are not incredibly expensive, so it comes down to what your specific tastes and needs happen to be for your setup.

Don't mind the haters, I run into them all the time. People that don't get why you want to do something or need to do something a certain way. At the end of it all, if you have an audio only listening setup without a TV in the mix at all, then getting a CD player can make a lot more sense than using a new BD player, even if the audio quality will be the same. In fairness, I do own a professional CD player from Denon. In absolute fairness... I've never hooked it up, I've gone entirely digital, and when I happen to listen to a CD, it's in my car.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

A. CDs and CD players are still being produced so they’re not obsolete.
B. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a CD only machine if that’s the only kind of disc you have to play.
C. I counted 9 players on Crutchfield alone that are under $500.

A4L is a great site as well though more limited in brands. Like most things audio related I think it helps to narrow down your choices first within your budget and THEN start researching and asking for feedback.

Denon/Marantz units are usually the same on the budget side of things, more a matter of aesthetics. I’m not a fan of Yamaha’s slim disc tray. There are also options from Cambridge, NAD and Tascam in the sub-$500 arena if that’s where you’re looking.

IMO nothing at all wrong with wanting a CD-only player in 2021 to play your collection on. Good luck with your search and let us know how you make out.

Thanks... . I appreciate the feedback. I'm a sucker for the Marantz look and soimd, but for this I would certainly consider Denon or anything worth the $300-$500 or so I'm fine spending. I think I'm also not so excited about the Yamaha. In my mind I'm thinking a simple toslink to my integrated which I think has a decent DAC and I'll be happy.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

I think that a big issue is that while there is nothing wrong with getting a CD player, it may be a bit hard to get anyone who finds that the price for a new player, is necessarily worth it. Mostly because quality of a $500 CD player may not be one bit better than that $80 Blu-ray Disc player.

Which is fine. Spending money on something which looks and feels better isn't necessarily money wasted, but it's important to realize that the drive tray mechanism for almost all CD players is coming off the same assembly line in China that everything else is coming from. Most of it is pretty rickety stuff which will fall apart after just a few years. I've seen top dollar players fail completely due to the drive tray failing over and over again over the years. Such is life.

Knowing this... Knowing that you get zero real world way of knowing how good whatever you get ends up being, I think your best bet is to get something which matches your other system components. The sound quality is very unlikely to be one bit better, but you should get whatever makes you happy overall, and know that if you spend a lot more, you may very well only be buying aesthetics, not actual audio or even build quality.

Still, I would at least look at sites like Crutchfield for some ideas, then if you are on a bit of a budget, I would hit up Craigslist and eBay to see what may be on the used market which you can get.

CD Players at Crutchfield

Shopping for CD Players? Our Virginia-based experts love helping folks find the right gear. Get FREE 2-day shipping and free lifetime tech support with your order.

www.crutchfield.com

If you are a fan of a particular brand, then that's where I would probably start. I'm a fan of Rotel gear after excellent quality and use over the years, so I would likely lean that direction for a stand alone CD player.

Rotel RCD-1070 audiophile CD and HDCD player black & silver w/ remote | eBay

Tested to sound great.

www.ebay.com

There are so many used CD players on the market which come in at a good value, and there are new models which are not incredibly expensive, so it comes down to what your specific tastes and needs happen to be for your setup.

Don't mind the haters, I run into them all the time. People that don't get why you want to do something or need to do something a certain way. At the end of it all, if you have an audio only listening setup without a TV in the mix at all, then getting a CD player can make a lot more sense than using a new BD player, even if the audio quality will be the same. In fairness, I do own a professional CD player from Denon. In absolute fairness... I've never hooked it up, I've gone entirely digital, and when I happen to listen to a CD, it's in my car.

Thanks, I'll look up that Rotel, I know they have great products. And you nailed it really. I'm perfectly willing to pay for something that I'm gonna enjoy seeing as much as using on my stand.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

It's that Marantz CD6007 that is making odd popping noises for another member. Maybe the tray action is quieter....maybe.

Well that's surprising and hard to understand. I know these are brand new, highly reviewed and always on back order. It's on the high side of what I'm thinking anyway since I don't feel like I need a better DAC than I have. And when I do get a better one it'll no doubt be on my next Integrated or Pre right?

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

I can understand why you want to play CDs and so do I. I did a search for you, and really that is not much on offer. If you want something solid, then my best recommendation is the Tascam professional CD player. That has been made for years and built like a tank. That really is the only stand alone CD player left that meets your description. Now I understand where you are coming from, I can give you a definite and solid recommendation.

It is made for 19" rack mounting, but you take take the mounting "ears" off if you want.

It was made for studios, and that is why it records. Studios had them so they could burn a quick CD for a customer. I'm surprised they still make this, as we now burn a CD from the CD burner drive in the DAW, or more usually download the Wav. file to a thumb drive or send the Wav. files to the customer over the Internet.

I have a similar unit from Marantz, which is long NLA. In the picture below it is in the second rack. I used that before I built my first DAW in 2002. The current one was built about five years ago.

So that gives you an idea how these CD units were used, but not really any more, as the state of the art has moved on.

In that second rack there is from top to bottom, a Revox A700 tape recorder, an Eq, the RME DAC for the DAW, the DAW, a DAT recorder, and at the bottom the UPS for that rack. To the right is the screen and key board for the DAW and a 16 channel mix panel on a pull out draw.

I know I'm a hoarder.

BTW I meant to ask you, what's the Marantz in your first shelf? Looks like amp only but I obviously can't tell in the picture. I ask because if it's the 7025, that's what I have and if you use it I'm interested in how/where and your opinion of it as a basic 1k power source.