I understand your desire for a changer...I have both a specially modified transport for critical listening, and a 5 disc changer on my rack, both hooked up to an MSB Gold Link DAC. The two used as transports have distinctly different sounds. I wouldn't avoid a changer, but make sure it's one with a quality low jitter digital out.
I think Stereophile mentioned that the NAD changer has an excellent digital out for the price. The Marantz changers have terrific ergonomics (very fast and easy loading and changing). Though it doesn't match my single disc modified transport for sound, and it's what I use for my changer. Denon's have got to be the worst changers ergonimically and functionally, so I'd keep away from them.
Rotel makes a changer with a very solid changer mechanism that is not your normal carosel tray. It resembles Nakamichi's Music Bank, and mechanically is very solid. I believe the laser is mounted more in the manner a single disc player is. Rotel's have good sound too, if you don't go with an outboard DAC. The Rotel may be your best pick in a quality changer, either stand alone, or with an outboard DAC.
Changers generally seem to have less refinement in D/A conversion that single disc players, so the addition of an outboard DAC can really give you performance approaching a very fine stand alone CD player, and maybe bettering it, and offer excellent, rich sound. As Stereophile recommmends, look to MSB for some exceptional values in outboard DACs, though there are other good ones available as well, but very tough to match price to performance wise. I used to sell Perpetual Technologies DACs. At first enjoyed the punch and precise speed of delivery, but myself an other customers often found it lacking in richness and warmth--supposedly the $300 Dan Wright Mods help in this area. Ground loop problems were a frequent problem with the Perpetual Tech units, as well as incompatibility with some transports. I've yet to listen to a Birdland as I hear they are good, but so far it's been almost impossible to make communication with the company.
Full disclosure: I'm a dealer for MSB. I am not a dealer for NAD, Marantz, Denon, or Rotel.
Jeff Delman
I think Stereophile mentioned that the NAD changer has an excellent digital out for the price. The Marantz changers have terrific ergonomics (very fast and easy loading and changing). Though it doesn't match my single disc modified transport for sound, and it's what I use for my changer. Denon's have got to be the worst changers ergonimically and functionally, so I'd keep away from them.
Rotel makes a changer with a very solid changer mechanism that is not your normal carosel tray. It resembles Nakamichi's Music Bank, and mechanically is very solid. I believe the laser is mounted more in the manner a single disc player is. Rotel's have good sound too, if you don't go with an outboard DAC. The Rotel may be your best pick in a quality changer, either stand alone, or with an outboard DAC.
Changers generally seem to have less refinement in D/A conversion that single disc players, so the addition of an outboard DAC can really give you performance approaching a very fine stand alone CD player, and maybe bettering it, and offer excellent, rich sound. As Stereophile recommmends, look to MSB for some exceptional values in outboard DACs, though there are other good ones available as well, but very tough to match price to performance wise. I used to sell Perpetual Technologies DACs. At first enjoyed the punch and precise speed of delivery, but myself an other customers often found it lacking in richness and warmth--supposedly the $300 Dan Wright Mods help in this area. Ground loop problems were a frequent problem with the Perpetual Tech units, as well as incompatibility with some transports. I've yet to listen to a Birdland as I hear they are good, but so far it's been almost impossible to make communication with the company.
Full disclosure: I'm a dealer for MSB. I am not a dealer for NAD, Marantz, Denon, or Rotel.
Jeff Delman