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Crazy to buy a 17 year old CD Player?

My ARC CD2 just died...I think the laser finally gave up the ghost.  Any how I've got thousands of red book CDs in my library and need a replacement player.  I'm thinking an ARC CD 3MKII or the Mark Levinson 390S.  Am I crazy to be thinking this?  Got a budget of around $2000.00.  My system, though dated, is made up of higher end stuff: ARC 25 pre amp, ARC VT 150 mono amps, VPI TNT IV, Wilson Witts, all running through Transparent Reference (Balanced).
cmcdaniel5

Showing 2 responses by jbuhl

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
886 posts
 
brand new 321 still in box
https://www.paragonsns.com/product/wadia-321/

transport refurb with warranty
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cd-sacd-players-ps-audio-perfectwave-cd-transport-memory-player-re...
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
886 posts
 
Question.   Why would you burn your entire budget on just a CD player alone when you can get a good unit and then spend the remaining budget on a nice DAC? Especially when you could possibly get a PSA unit that allows firmware upgrades?  I suppose it makes sense if you are absolutely sure the unit is going to produce a sound you are satisfied with and you don't want to mess with other hardware for some reason.

I am also in the market for a new transport but I did a quick compare with my current cheapo sony blue ray/cd player vs the new CA CXC transport and there was absolutely no compelling reason to switch.  I would really like to get my hands on a used PSA DSMP and see what that sounds like. 
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