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Researching the CD/HDCD Players from China

I have gotten 40 plus responses regarding CD players built in China. However, the more research I've done It appears to me that most CD players and many other audio pieces are made in China or in Japan. I recall back in the early 1960's working as an audio salesman, we not only carried hi end audio equipment, but table radios and certain consoles. I would always steer customers away from anything made in Japan. That was my mindset back then and remained so for some years.

Now it appears that this is the same mindset of many audio buffs regarding anything made in China. Much of my restarch as been trying to find high quality CD players that are built well and can render classical choral and orchestral as well as jazz small and big bands well. In particular it must be able to give me a good presentation of the human voice in song. Plus it must be able to render an wide sound field throwing music outside of the speakers. And there must be sufficient height to the sound field as well. I am also particular about being able to pick out each jazz instrument and/or voice from within the sound field.

I have heard (for short periods)an Original 2008 Mk2, a Shenda SD100S, Doge 6, and a Bada HD23. All of these players produced a very pleasent sound. However, my primary concerned is with "LONGEVITY" and being able to improve on the sound with tube changes, upgrades, etc.

Finally, the reason I've spent time researching these and other CD/HDCD players has to do with funding. I don't have a large amount of $$$ to spend, but still want hi end sound. This may be a foolish notion, but that's what I am looking for. I understand that there are some HDCD CD's now on the market. Has anyone heard any and is the sound quality superior to the redbook CD's? By the way, the rest of my system will consist of the following:
1. Elite Rock turntable with Excalibur arm (Sumiko cart)
2. Audio Research Pre-Amp
3. Threshold S/300 power amp
4. Mirage OM-9 Omni (soon to be upgraded to Mags 1.6)
5. Various Kimber Cables
I have many classical and jazz LP's i've collected over the years especially many from Germany. I may have just as many redbook CD's. I plan to purchase HDCD's if they can present better sound than my redbooks.

Again thank you for your comments because I really need them. I hope to purchase something within the next few weeks depending on what I get in the way of your responses.
rbwinterlink

Showing 4 responses by djbargelt

djbargelt
9 posts
 
I have two CD players built in China. A Cambridge Audio D500SE that is now 5 plus years old and a recently purchased used Cayin CD-50T. I have had no problems with the Cambridge, and the Cayin has somewhere between 1 1/2 thru two years on it. The Cayin has first rate build quality, and for the most part top notch parts. The Cayin also offers HDCD processing.
The Cambridge shows decent build quality with very sound engineering, and selected high quality parts in selected areas where the deliver best bang for the buck.
And for the record, I have a Cayin HA-1A tube headphone amp that sounds splendid and is built like a tank. I am very impressed with Cayins quality and sound for the money.
I listen to classical, jazz, and older rock. The Cayin combo really shines with classical and jazz in my opinion.
djbargelt
9 posts
 
Trelja

Sorry to hear of your problems with the Cambridge. Perhaps I got lucky with mine. My D500SE has been flawless. I also have a NAD C540 cd player purchased in early 2001. Other than it's known fussy behavior reading less than prestine cd's, it's been good also. I have read many reports on reliability issues with NAD, Cambridge, and others built in China. I was a bit worried about the Cayin purchase, however there are many reviews of their gear and it's excellent build quality. I guess just like past history with the early Japan gear, they will keep getting better at it.
djbargelt
9 posts
 
TVAD
A couple corrections on your comments. The Cambridge D500 CD player was not an attempt to hide a "fake torrid" transformer. It is a circular copper plated shield placed over the transformer to reduce the tendency every transformer has to spray stray magnetic field around the surrounding circuit board region. If you look up a companion report on the Cambridge D500SE in TNT audio, it will clarify that incorrect assumption.

Secondly, there is no Cayin product I know of that uses a "fake" tube for lighting effect only. There were posts on a vintage Luxman tube cd player from the mid eighties that made a similar accusation of a phony tube circuit. I don’t know if that is true or not. Cayin gear is top notch and is b very well engineered and designed, so I find it hard to believe it was a Cayin product your referring too.
djbargelt
9 posts
 
Tvad
Thanks for the link provided to the alleged bogus tube rectification in the Cayin A70T and your correction on the piece involved. Sounds like Cayin were indeed guilty of perhaps a bit of "extra glitz". That should not be necessary given the good qualities of that piece of gear.

However, that being said, the bulk of their product line seems well designed, extremely well built, and offer excellent "bang for the buck" sound quality. I am extremely satisfied with the two pieces of their gear I own. In fact, I’ve posted a review of the CD-50 T player in the Audiogon Reviews- Digital section.

I guess time will tell on the Cayin long-term reliability and ability to get parts if needed.
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