Used Redbook CD Players

[Josh784]

I currently have the following system in my bedroom:

Axiom M2i's
Velodyne VX-10 sub
Yamaha HTR-5550 receiver
Pioneer DV-578A SACD player

I'm looking to replace the Pioneer with a better sounding redbook CD player as I only have one SACD. I'd like to buy used to save some money, but am unsure what I should look for or where to look. I'd like to spend $150-200.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[jaxvon]

You should shop around Audiogon.

 

[Sleestack]

For redbook only at that price point, I recommend trying to find a used Onix XCD-88.

I currently have the following system in my bedroom:

Axiom M2i's
Velodyne VX-10 sub
Yamaha HTR-5550 receiver
Pioneer DV-578A SACD player

I'm looking to replace the Pioneer with a better sounding redbook CD player as I only have one SACD. I'd like to buy used to save some money, but am unsure what I should look for or where to look. I'd like to spend $150-200.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[Josh784]

If I were willing to spend up to $300, what would you recommend? I see a lot of players on Audiogon around this price point (thanks for the link)

 

[Josh784]

There is a CEC CD3300 available on Audiogon for $350. Would this be a good buy?

 

[jaxvon]

Hmm...not sure about the CEC. The D/A converter is quite nice, and I know CEC has made some insane CD Transports in the past (think $17.5k), so I would think that quality would trickle down to their lower end stuff.

That said, you can get a brand new CD player with a slightly lesser DAC (24-bit/96kHz as opposed to the 24-Bit/192kHz on the CEC) from AV123. Their Onix XCD-88 is $300 right now. As Sleestack said, it's a good option. AV123 products have very high value. Seeing how the original retail of the CEC was $600, I would say that, figuring the markup of middlemen, the Onix is probably of comparable quality. Plus, you can spend $50 less (without haggling) and get a brand new player with a warranty.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I currently have the following system in my bedroom:

Axiom M2i's
Velodyne VX-10 sub
Yamaha HTR-5550 receiver
Pioneer DV-578A SACD player

I'm looking to replace the Pioneer with a better sounding redbook CD player as I only have one SACD. I'd like to buy used to save some money, but am unsure what I should look for or where to look. I'd like to spend $150-200.

Thanks,
Josh

Does this SACD player not play CDs? Why not use the digital out from it with CD? Nothing wrong with this if it can do it. No need to waste your $$$.

 

[Josh784]

Does this SACD player not play CDs? Why not use the digital out from it with CD? Nothing wrong with this if it can do it. No need to waste your $$$.

A month or two ago I posted a topic here about what upgrades I should give my stereo, and was recommended a better redbook player. How would using the coax out alter the sound? Would it remove the processing performed by the CD player and give the receiver that responsibility? If this is possible, what is the point of spending lots of money on a CD player? I appreciate your suggestion but it has me a little confused.

I have the opportunity to buy the CEC for $280...

Josh

 

[Sleestack]

A month or two ago I posted a topic here about what upgrades I should give my stereo, and was recommended a better redbook player. How would using the coax out alter the sound? Would it remove the processing performed by the CD player and give the receiver that responsibility? If this is possible, what is the point of spending lots of money on a CD player? I appreciate your suggestion but it has me a little confused.

I have the opportunity to buy the CEC for $280...

Josh

If you use your digital coax out to your receiver, the receiver's DAC will do the conversion and take the CD player's DAc out of the equation. I f you are satisifed with the DAC in you receiver, that is definitely and option.

The point of spending a lot of money on a CD player is primaril realted to the analog output stages. I have 2 high end ($4K) CD players. I only use the balanced and single ended outs on them because they have excellent DACS and analog output stages that sound quite defferent than any receiver or external DAC I have.

I nshort, if you are realtively new and not lloking to spend a ton, try tthe digital out on your SACD player first. If you don't like the result, take a look at stand alone CD players.

 

[mtrycrafts]

A month or two ago I posted a topic here about what upgrades I should give my stereo, and was recommended a better redbook player. How would using the coax out alter the sound? Would it remove the processing performed by the CD player and give the receiver that responsibility? If this is possible, what is the point of spending lots of money on a CD player? I appreciate your suggestion but it has me a little confused.

I have the opportunity to buy the CEC for $280...

Josh

CD reproduction is not cutting edge anymore
You don't even need to spend that $280 as most likely it will do nothing for you over what you now have.
The receiver should have DAC capable of processing well.
Unless a CD player is designed to alter the sound, they will be transparent.
There is zero point in spending lots on CD players. Some just feel better knowing that they did, hence a psychological crutch

 

[Sleestack]

There is zero point in spending lots on CD players. Some just feel better knowing that they did, hence a psychological crutch

That is a ridiculous statement. Have you spent enough time with a high end CD player to really know the difference? I have many different CD players, DACs, pre/pros, etc. Sure, if you are only using digital connections it makes no sense to spend a lot on a CD player, but the analog stages on a high end CD players are not all created the same. Not everyone has the same aural preferences as you.

This site has quite a few people who use the guise of trying to "educate people" as a means of criticizing things they are too cheap to buy. In some case they are right, but in other cases they are just small-minded and bitter. As much snake-oil as there is out there, make sure you can see through their BS too.