entry hi end cd player

[Rotarhead69]

Im looking for an entry level hi end cd player. Say between 500-700 dollars (if Hi end will even apply here is a question). It does not need to have HDCD capabilities.

I'm reading info on NAD and Cambridge Audio.

Does anybody know what Stereophile would recommend in a Class "B" equipment?

 

[MrKlister]

The only cd player Stereophile recommended in your price range was the Sony SCD-555ES, but they were only talking about it's SACD capabilities. They liked the Marantz SA-8260(class A, $1099), Music Hall Maverick(class B, $1495), Rega Jupiter(class B, $1695). There were some other, more esoteric players mentioned, but none under a kilobuck in class B. Since these were last years, maybe the new issue will have something closer to your price range.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

If you search Arvind Kohli recently did a review of the East Sound CD-E3 CD player, that for $700srp, performed at least as good as the Creek CD50 Mk2 ($1500) and the Lexicon RT-10 ($3500).

The downsides were: Did not play SACD, Poor remote, hideous gold color.

But for that lowball price you could afford a $10 RadioShack remote control and some black paint (I plan on buying this play for my new system based on this excellant review).

 

[nibhaz]

Why Stereophile.....?

$500-$700 range.... Denon 2910! You'd be hard pressed to do better preformance-wise but perhaps not esoteric enough for your taste...

 

[Rotarhead69]

$500-$700 range.... Denon 2910! You'd be hard pressed to do better preformance-wise but perhaps not esoteric enough for your taste...

Im not bias agains DENON at all. I have a Denon AVR 2805 reciever that I use as a HT system and pre out to a Conrad Johnson amp that runs my Vandersteen speakers for my 2 channel set up. My HT speakers are Klipsch Ref. and a MK subwoofer.

I use my California Audio Lab CD as a transport now and use the processors inthe Denon for the DAC. But I have to believe that a separate dedicated CD unit with is own power supply and such would be better.

. . . update: Just purchased the Denon 2910 (Silver)

 

[Jason Coleman]

Just purchased the Denon 2910 (Silver)

Good choice...the 2910 seems like the no-brainer option in that price range.

Congrats!

Jason

 

[TEvo]

http://musichallaudio.com/products/products.asp?lookup=cd 25

=

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=25.1


Both are in your stated price range and aside from the display, they are identical. And it's HDCD capable.

 

[Nick250]

I am going to play the devil's advocate here and say that if you are not using the CD players DAC, then there will be no audible difference between a $150 CD player and a high end CD player. It's the "ones and zeros" logic.

 

[KFG14]

How about the Rotel RCD-1072?

How about the Rotel RCD-1072? I just purchased one for $630 - with a list of $699. I heard it vs. the RCD-02 with costs about $200 less. I went the higher end model as thought it sounded superb. It's sitting in my living room still in the box along wih the Rotel RA-1062 int amp and Vandersteen 1C's. When I get the speaker cables made and receive the interconnects from BJC I'll let you know more. I listened for about 4-5 hours in two visits to the dealer and love it.

http://rotel.com/products/cd-players.htm

Kevin

 

[shokhead]

The only cd player Stereophile recommended in your price range was the Sony SCD-555ES, but they were only talking about it's SACD capabilities. They liked the Marantz SA-8260(class A, $1099), Music Hall Maverick(class B, $1495), Rega Jupiter(class B, $1695). There were some other, more esoteric players mentioned, but none under a kilobuck in class B. Since these were last years, maybe the new issue will have something closer to your price range.

They were pretty smart on that Sony Review. You might consider the Yamaha C750.