New Budget CD Player


Hello All,

My Rotel 855 CD player is getting quite long in the tooth and I'd like to replace it. While I realize that I could get a DAC and use the Rotel as a transport, its age makes me wonder whether that would result in my having to get a new player in a relatively short period of time anyway.

I have read encouraging things about the Onkyo C-S5VL, as well as equivalent models from Marantz and Denon (all around $350-$400) and wonder if any of you are familiar with these units or if there are others I should be looking at.

Buying used is always tempting, but at this price point, I don't know that anything I could afford would give me reliability and good sound. In the Philadelphia area, audio repair is a dying art and older higher end parts are not easy to come by.

In any case, I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.

Sony WEGA 32FS13, Rotel CD855 CD Player, Oppo BDP-80 Blu-Ray / DVD Player, NAD T-163 pre/pro, Front /Center Amp: Emotiva XPA-3, Rear Amp: Emotiva UPA-2,
Front Speakers: Klipsch KG-4 (1986), Rear Speakers: Acculine A-1 (2009), Center Speaker: Emotiva ERM-1(2009), Sub: Dali S 1.2 (2008)
opteron05

Showing 1 response by craig_hoch

Opteron, I'm using an Oppo DV-980h connected to a CAL Sigma DAC, which I retubed with a NOS 1960 British made Mullard 12ax7 tube. The results are better than than the sound of my $1800 Doge 6 Tube CDP. In fact I sold the Doge, it sounded laid back by comparison. CAL Sigma & Alpha DACs come up for sale on A'gon regularly but you have to act fast-they well within two hours of posting.