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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 3 responses by opteron05

opteron05 OP
16 posts
 
Thanks to both of you for your responses.

Tpreaves - I listen to music more than I watch movies and the display on a CD player is much easier for me to use for music than any of the DVD players. As you suggest, I do wonder about whether I have enough money for the CD to really see a difference. I have already tried the Emotiva in this price range and found it wanting.

Ben - I am delighted with the BDP-80 at the price. It was only afterwards that the itch about the CD player began to develop... Nonetheless, I did get a PM about using a DAC with the BDP-80 and that may have merit as well - subject to what I said about the displays (to say nothing about eggs in baskets - redundancy being a concern for me).
opteron05 OP
16 posts
 
As usual, you all come up with a bunch for me to do and I thank you for all the ideas!

Just for clarity, I am reluctant to use the video source for audio since I want to keep things simple. I've been careful to wire things so that I don't have to turn on the HT just to watch TV: an approach my wife prefers as well.

If I may add here, I appreciate your "modding" approach, Kotta - I am bit cautious about doing electrical work inside the box, but I'll see what's involved...
opteron05 OP
16 posts
 
Thanks for the blow by blow description of the mod, Bill. Just now, I want to hold off on trying that and see what else might be available.

The Cary is certainly tempting, albeit above budget, considering the other things I want to do to the system, but I plan to look into it and see what might be out there.

I note that Emotiva has announced that their yet to be released DAC will be coming in around $400, so that may be worth considering. Since they offer a 30 day trial, it gives me a chance to see what a DAC can offer without tying myself up. in a pinch, I can always hook up an unused DVD player until I can find a replacement transport.

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