Not again! What's a good reasonably priced CD player?

[BMWCCA]

Sorry. Every thread I look up using "search" seems to degenerate into a discussion of vinyl vs. CD, or worse.

OK, I'm cash poor having overspent on a recent purchase, but I'd like to upgrade my primary source. I currently have a Sony 5-disc CD-DVD changer that's several years old. DVD-NVD 655 progressive scan something-or-other. An even older single-play Sony CDP-991 I like a lot that was probably near TOTL a decade (or more) ago. And a H-K DVD22 I picked up cheap ($60) from the tent-sale because Harman praised if for it's audio quality: "Audiophile-grade 24-bit/192 kHz audio digital-to-analog converters ensure the highest possible fidelity and resolution, and the player uses premium-quality internal components in the audio signal path.". I'd like to do better, if I can.

There's lots of talk about the Oppo DV-980H mostly praising its DA converters and overall quality expecially for two-channel listening. Current price on the Oppo seems to be around $169 to my door. I can't tell if that comes with a remote, or not. In and around this price range is there something else I should be looking at, say in the up-to $250 range? I don't much care if it even has DVD capabilities though that seems hard to avoid these days. Therefore having the most-current D-TV technology is also unimportant with respect to this use.

Yeah, I know I could ask this question on AK, but . . . well, you know. I trust you guys and gals. I recall Heather, T-dome, and at least some others went with the next Oppo up, the DV-981HD which supposedly has better video at the sacrifice of some audio quality. Anyone have have experience with the 980H, or others in the "quality bottom-feeder" range? Preferably something that does not rely on a TV for its menu.

Thanks.

[SEAWOLF97]

I read a comment somewhere ( Stereophile ? ) that the Oppos were a lot of "bang for the buck" , but really dont test out that well.

The Sony ES (elevated standard) line has always been good for me...MUCH different than their non-ES gear. I have a single disker and 2 five diskers, and dont think I'd sell them, but my NADs ...yuk, CL bait.

Did you cut off your kids or thin out the bimmer inventory to afford those beasts ?

[jbl_daddy]

I have purchased two Sony ES units over the years. In the early 90's I purchased a CDP-C79ES, sounds excelent. There are some problems with mine: no copper bottom, no coax digital out, remote sucks.

CD / DVD player number 2 is a DVP-S9000ES, great unit. I have nothing bad to say about it, has coax and fiber out, 6 channel audio out, copper case construction, and even plays DVD's with a scaler. I have seen the price of these units range from 150 - 350 on ebay. Cheep My dad has a DVP-S900ES and he is very happy with his also. It ia a cheeper unit, the buttons are not as nice as the 9000.

I purchased both units new from HiFI Buys and have never been serviced.

[Krunchy]

Last time I opened this can of worms I got a lot of great suggestions but wound up scoring an adcom GCD-750 from Mr.Widget (thank you Sir!). I already had one so when he offered it to me I knew what I was getting into. Its a great player and it has XLR's which will come in handy once you get your Meyer CP 10 hooked up to the Ashly

Have not followed them lately but you may be able to score one in the $300-500 range, I know its a bit more than you wanted to spend but it really is a great unit, straight forward, no bs (single platter), just the way I like em.

Have fun

(pictures not of my unit)

[BMWCCA]

Its a great player and it has XLR's which will come in handy once you get your Meyer CP 10 hooked up to the Ashly

Not much chance of that now! I'll have to settle for the Soundcraftsmen Pro-EQ 44 which works darn well. Probably only under a grand eighteen-years ago, but it'll have to do.

I'll check out the Adcoms. I have a good friend who swears by them.

And I'll see if Sony still makes an ES series player these days, business being as bad as it is!

[Titanium Dome]

I've got both the Oppo 980 and 981. They clearly are two different players. I use the 980 in my music-only surround system and the 981 in my HT.

As far as the 980 goes, it has a very nice sound and it works well in both surround and stereo modes. It is great bang for the buck, but sometimes that's not very hearty praise. In this case, it REALLY bangs for the buck, and I don't think there's a player under $400 that's as good in the sound department.

Now, I'm only talking audio. There are sub-$400 players that can match or beat its video (by a little), so if video is important, that's a consideration. Its video is very good, but it can be beat. I don't use it for video, so it's a nonissue.

[chilledspode]

You may want to try a NAD T585 - it is a very nice universal player and heavily discounted right now after the Blu ray decision.

They can be had for $499 from Saturday Audio and I believe they listed at over $1,000

Cheers

Mark

[MikeBrewster77]

Hi B/Feeder,

I have a Denon DVD-1920 that I use for daily listening. Like the Yamaha it's a universal player (CD, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, etc.) I actually bought it specifically for listening and not viewing as it was prior to me buying a decent TV (still had a 25" CRT at the time ) and have always been impressed by the audio quality. Hate to say it, but it sounds better, to me at least, than the H/K it replaced ... the second one I should say (since the first one died within 18 months of purchase.)

Now that I have a decent TV I can attest that it's a nice video component as well.

I can't remember exactly what I paid and the receipt is locked up with all of the other audio documentation but I think it was in the ballpark of $500.

[SEAWOLF97]

I read this on audioreview about Sony ES players...do not know how valid ? comments ?

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/sony/...5_1586crx.aspx

I wish to discuss a little known fact which goes far to eplain the build quality and sound of this player. These "gold" ES players from the late 80's thru 1995 were essentially units designed and built for the home Japanese market. Their sound was voiced for Japanese preferences, i.e., harmony and tone rather than American high-end preferences, i.e., analytical detail often accompanied by tonal sterility. It's no accident that so much old McIntosh and Marantz tube gear has been exported to Japan.
In any case, because of the small volume of sales to the US, Sony simply took their domestic units, changed printing to english, adjusted the AC line voltage, and gave us the "gold" ES players. In direct comparison the the best domestic and English players, these ES players have an unmatched full tonal quality and "naturalness". Just like tube equipment, however, they lack the pin point detail of top end transistor equipment. So if you're an engineer conducting scientific measurements these units are not for you; but, if you're a music lover, who simply wants to experience the full emotional involvement with the music, these units are unsurpassed.
In addition, considering their build quality, at their current used prices, they must rank as one of the great buys of the music equipment world. And no, I'm not getting ready to sell my unit! I simply wish to share my opinion with other music lovers on a budget.

[stephane RAME]

Sony CDP-3100 old cd player or Sony SCD-X501ES modern Sacd/cd player


Stéphane

[MyLittleViking]

I read this on audioreview about Sony ES players...do not know how valid ? comments ?

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/sony/...5_1586crx.aspx

I wish to discuss a little known fact which goes far to eplain the build quality and sound of this player. These "gold" ES players from the late 80's thru 1995 were essentially units designed and built for the home Japanese market. Their sound was voiced for Japanese preferences, i.e., harmony and tone rather than American high-end preferences, i.e., analytical detail often accompanied by tonal sterility. It's no accident that so much old McIntosh and Marantz tube gear has been exported to Japan.
In any case, because of the small volume of sales to the US, Sony simply took their domestic units, changed printing to english, adjusted the AC line voltage, and gave us the "gold" ES players. In direct comparison the the best domestic and English players, these ES players have an unmatched full tonal quality and "naturalness". Just like tube equipment, however, they lack the pin point detail of top end transistor equipment. So if you're an engineer conducting scientific measurements these units are not for you; but, if you're a music lover, who simply wants to experience the full emotional involvement with the music, these units are unsurpassed.
In addition, considering their build quality, at their current used prices, they must rank as one of the great buys of the music equipment world. And no, I'm not getting ready to sell my unit! I simply wish to share my opinion with other music lovers on a budget.

Def. valid, but with some things that are questionable... They were designed by Japanese Engineers, but were certainly designed for this market. I currently own a Sony CDPC701ES and I can honestly say I have no desire for an upgrade... have heard Sony ES's SACD versions, a number of the Rotels, NAD, Adcom, Denon, Marantz etc. and I always stayed with this unit.

It does everything that it should and nothing that it shouldn't. The Sony CDPC79ES mentioned before was "nearly" as good, just a little quirky at times, the bugs are all worked out with the 701ES. The 801ES is better still... I require a 5-disk changer as I like to have the ability to let it run for hours without the single disk Sony's from this era should be comparable. Good Luck... PS<< I have a NAD 5060 for sale,, it works perfectly, shoot me an offer...