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Best budget CDP?

I'm putting together a small two channel system based around a pair of Zu Druids and small tube hybrid intgrated amp that I got as part of a HCT HMS-100 package (same as the Vuum Audio VTi-B1 or the Dared MP-5 without the USB port). Also considering upgrading to a Onix SP-3, but that's a differnt story.

I need to find a decent CDP that would be a nice match for this budget system. $1000 would be my max, but I would really like stay ~ $500 if possible, but not if I can't get a nice sounding unit at this price.

I'm also putting a small LCD or Plasma in this room so a nice univeral unit would be even better, but music performance in paramount. Another consideration which makes a univerval unit an attractive option is that I would still have a spare set of inputs to add a TT down the road if I decide to get back into LP's.

Thoughts/suggestions will be much appreciated.

BTW, I only have BB/CC in our town, so I really don't have the option to listen to much and this is why I must ask for help. Used is fine.

Thanks.
jack_dotson

Showing 1 response by strateahed

strateahed
297 posts
 
Here's a set-up that gets the best of both worlds. My entire system is geared towards good HT, with excellent audio. My solution: an Oppo 970HD ($150) for video which also has good quality movie sound; and a Sony 2000ES ($400) for dedicated audio. You can have this particular CDP, or the Sony CE595 ($150) modified by Tube Research Labs (TRL). The mod is $750, so you could have a great player for as low as $900. This player has been compared to analog tape sound, and other CDP's costing nearly $20K. TRL can also do other mods (amps, DACS, etc) with excellent results. Check here on A-gon and other sites for reviews.

I too was leaning towards one of the Cambridge series players, but did not want to sacrifice multi-disc capability in favor of a single play machine. The modified Sony 2000ES was the perfect solution.
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