Best CD player under 1K

[thunderbird]

Well, after 15 years now, My Carver CD player is crapping out on me. It's time for a new one. I've done some research on a few players, but I'm still unsure which ones are bargains. I'm not planning on playing SACD, HDCD, DVD audio or any video, so I don't need a universal player(besides, I've heard it compromises sound in each format.) I'm looking for one with good build quality, Burr-Brown DAC and a decent transport for under 1K. I've researched Rotel, Rega, Ah! Tjoeb, Music Hall and some others. Any models meeting the criteria would be appreciated!

 

[zumbo]

http://www.yawaonline.com/nadc5cdpl.html (authorized dealer)
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/dendc5discar2.html
http://store.yahoo.com/lgdsuperstore/dcm380.html
http://www.plasmabay.com/plasma/Product.asp?SKU=DCM380

 

[Vancouver]

Thunderbird,

15 years wow...in 1989 CD players were only for the very few and I can say buy investing 1k into todays technology you are in for a treat over your last/current CD player. Can I ask what type of Reciever or amp and speakers you are using?

I assume you are speaking USD$ not CDN$. Before I give you my choices your best bet is to just go and listen. Also, compared to your last CD player there are options and technology available that you probably dont yet even know about. I have a feeling that after you make the investment you will upgrade your speaker and reciever if you havent done so already.

this is what I would look at and you are right to start with rotel.

http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rcd02.htm
http://www.naim-audio.com/

good luck.....keep us posted on your search and choice.

 

[thunderbird]

I should have mentioned my system seperates I'm running it with. I'm using a Carver CT-7(integrated pre-amp/tuner) and recently an ATI 1800 series amp along with Linn ninka speakers. Monster cable(10 guage) rounds it out. Nothing impressive, but I do plan to upgrade as time goes on. I know the majority of my money should go into the CD player at this point.

 

[Vancouver]

just for music? is yoru system not hooked up to a TV?

 

[Az B]

Thunderbird,

15 years wow...in 1989 CD players were only for the very few and I can say buy investing 1k into todays technology you are in for a treat over your last/current CD player.

I don't know. I also have a Carver Reference CD player from the same era and it's been indistinguishable in blind testing from current CD players in the ~$1000 range.

Personally, I would also look at DVD/CD players since these units tend to have better electronics for the same price range. And then you have the flexibility of watching movies in the future if you have the inclination. If you're using a digital connection between the CD player and the reciever/prepro then I wouldn't concern yourself about the quality of the onboard DACs as you'll be using the DACs in the receiver/prepro anyway.

And I wouldn't rule out hi res music. It can be quite good. I bought a cheapo Sony unit ~$500 and it plays CD as well as the Carver, DVDs very well, and I have about a half dozen SACDs which for the most part are outstanding.

Just something to think about.

 

[thunderbird]

This system is strictly for listening to music. I've looked at the Sony DVP-9999es ? model and supposedly plays all formats quite well, but I'm not looking to set up home theatre with this system. My Carver CD player is on it's last leg as it's starting to skip at times(I've cleaned the lens) and the transport is sticking shut. It would be cheaper to buy a 24 bit machine than try to repair the Carver.

 

[Az B]

This system is strictly for listening to music. I've looked at the Sony DVP-9999es ? model and supposedly plays all formats quite well, but I'm not looking to set up home theatre with this system. My Carver CD player is on it's last leg as it's starting to skip at times(I've cleaned the lens) and the transport is sticking shut. It would be cheaper to buy a 24 bit machine than try to repair the Carver.

Which Carver do you have? Mine had the sticking transport problem and I pulled it apart and found a small plastic tab had removed itself from a cam. I found the piece down inside the case and glued it back on and it's been working fine ever since. The skipping is likely a tracking problem and could be fixed for ~$50.

Don't let the bit game suck you in. It's marketing not unlike horsepower in cars. I've heard a CD that was recorded with original 16 bit processing as well as 12 and even 8 bit processed with noise shaped dithering interepersed throughout. This was made available to a large number of audiophiles who were then challenged to find the points where the bit changes occured. As far as I know, no one could tell. I know I couldn't. A few took some guesses, but they were wrong. If audiophiles can't tell the difference between 12 and 16 bit, or even 8 bit, I wouldn't expect to hear the difference between 16 and 24 bit. 24 bit has only become popular because that's the standard the pro market decided on years ago, and it was easier to make everything fit the same standard.

Just food for thought as you consider upgrades to your system.

 

[Az B]

By the way, those are cool speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Well, after 15 years now, My Carver CD player is crapping out on me. It's time for a new one. I've done some research on a few players, but I'm still unsure which ones are bargains. I'm not planning on playing SACD, HDCD, DVD audio or any video, so I don't need a universal player(besides, I've heard it compromises sound in each format.) I'm looking for one with good build quality, Burr-Brown DAC and a decent transport for under 1K. I've researched Rotel, Rega, Ah! Tjoeb, Music Hall and some others. Any models meeting the criteria would be appreciated!

Most any CD player will do you well. Too bad you ruled out universal players as you would have been set when you changed your mind.
As AZ B stated, it isn't sonics that you seek as they are equivalents and indistinguishable. Perhaps you may want to be a little more reasonable about the cost and expectations

 

[Francious70]

I'd say your best bet would be a mid to high-end DVD player, which you probally already own. What you wanna look for is a 24-bit DAC, 96dB of stereo seperation, as that's the most CD's allow.

Paul

 

[RLMe36]

Well, after 15 years now, My Carver CD player is crapping out on me. It's time for a new one. I've done some research on a few players, but I'm still unsure which ones are bargains. I'm not planning on playing SACD, HDCD, DVD audio or any video, so I don't need a universal player(besides, I've heard it compromises sound in each format.) I'm looking for one with good build quality, Burr-Brown DAC and a decent transport for under 1K. I've researched Rotel, Rega, Ah! Tjoeb, Music Hall and some others. Any models meeting the criteria would be appreciated!

I was essentially in the same boat as you until recently. I have upgraded all other compents and the CD was last on my list. I really only wanted cd playback since I have a dvd player, but wasn't against the universal approach. I auditioned the Rotel rcd 1072, sony 999es, and Denon 3910. I ruled out the sony since blue laser dvd is being unvieled next year and the Denon for the same reason and that they have had some reliability issues with this model. At the price of $600+ the rotel is an excellent player and you will be impressed with its sonic abilities.

 

[keenan]

Well, after 15 years now, My Carver CD player is crapping out on me. It's time for a new one. I've done some research on a few players, but I'm still unsure which ones are bargains. I'm not planning on playing SACD, HDCD, DVD audio or any video, so I don't need a universal player(besides, I've heard it compromises sound in each format.) I'm looking for one with good build quality, Burr-Brown DAC and a decent transport for under 1K. I've researched Rotel, Rega, Ah! Tjoeb, Music Hall and some others. Any models meeting the criteria would be appreciated!

You might want to take a look at the Cambridge Audio azur series. They are within your price and meet many if not all of your requirements. I purchased a 540D for its PAL>NTSC conversion and region-free abilities but as it turns out, this player has very,very good audio as well.


http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products.html
Cambridge Audio products

 

[thunderbird]

I took Keenan's advice and looked into the Cambridge Audio Azur 640c. This one turns out to be a 5 star winner with "WHAT HI-FI" and best buy award from Hi-FI choice. This uses the Wolfson DAC(which one reviewer stated it bests the Burr-Brown DAC) Sounds like a winner for the money. Build quality is there also. Only negative is that it only plays CD, CD-R and CD_RW, but that is very minor detail to me. I ordered one that night..no listening test needed.I can't wait to hear this machine. I'll post the results later after burn-in and extended listening tests.

 

[Mudcat]

I'll post the results later after burn-in ......

Must be a helluva laser in that thang.

 

[miklorsmith]

I have 3 friends that own the Cambridge Audio 640c. It's an incredible player, especially for the price. Only downside I see is that it's so linear and revealing that if the rest of your system tends toward brightness, this player will accentuate that. Overall, I don't consider that a weakness. It just might encourage further spending elsewhere.

 

[oddeophile]

best cd player under $1k

Try AV123.com. They have the Music Hall CD player coming in under the Onix name that is the EXACT same player for $399 which can be modified. Modifications are not yet known but would expect to include the Trichord 4 clock mod to reduce jitter clock errors to nil, basically DRAMATICALLY improving it. Try AV123.com. Besides, they are the best people to work with. Great C/S. Great support.

Contact Steve Ozmai

 

[miklorsmith]

Oddly enough, I have a heavily modded Music Hall CD-25. Tube output stage and clock upgrade. These players have many versions of mods which are quite excellent.

 

[Arvind Kohli]

Check out this review if you already haven't. Hope it helps;
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/ESoundCD-E3CDPlayer.php