I bought the top of the line Sony CD/DVD player and stops working frequently. I have sent it back to Sony and they have sent me a brand-new replacement unit several times, but the same problem keeps happening. I gave it to a friend and the same thing happens, so it’s not my house or my system which I thought was a possibility. This is a $500 machine. Back in the 1990’s, these players, even the cheapest ones, would work perfectly for years! Why do new things just not work? For the OP, try to find something with a good service process in place if it breaks. Sony, has top-tier service, but frequent failures, so it’s a catch-22!
Suggestions for New CD Player
I'm looking for a new CD player, modestly priced under $1,500, that will work well with a 2-channel system featuring B&W 804S floorstanders, a McIntosh MC402 power amp, and a Magnum Dynalab MD208 receiver used as a preamp.
My wife and I mostly listen to classical music, and have an extensive CD collection, particularly heavy in orchestral (e.g., Mahler, Beethoven) and opera (Wagner, Verdi) and piano/violin. (My wife is a Julliard-trained musician.) Pre-pandemic, we were frequent concert-goers, preferring about rows 8-15. We also rock out on occasion. We appreciate fine equipment, but we're music-lovers rather than true audiophiles.
We previously had a Consonance Droplet CD player (tubed, nice sound quality, when it worked, which wasn't often enough) and a Lexicon RT-20 (a little harsh, and wouldn't play many discs). I won't buy a used player. In my experience, CD mechanisms are the most fragile of all components.
I realize I'm asking a lot at this price point, but life itself is compromise. Don't really care about wireless capability or digital files. SACD is nice, but redbook capability is what really matters to us. Considering Cambridge Audio 851, Rega Apollo, but open to suggestions.
Your thoughts?
My wife and I mostly listen to classical music, and have an extensive CD collection, particularly heavy in orchestral (e.g., Mahler, Beethoven) and opera (Wagner, Verdi) and piano/violin. (My wife is a Julliard-trained musician.) Pre-pandemic, we were frequent concert-goers, preferring about rows 8-15. We also rock out on occasion. We appreciate fine equipment, but we're music-lovers rather than true audiophiles.
We previously had a Consonance Droplet CD player (tubed, nice sound quality, when it worked, which wasn't often enough) and a Lexicon RT-20 (a little harsh, and wouldn't play many discs). I won't buy a used player. In my experience, CD mechanisms are the most fragile of all components.
I realize I'm asking a lot at this price point, but life itself is compromise. Don't really care about wireless capability or digital files. SACD is nice, but redbook capability is what really matters to us. Considering Cambridge Audio 851, Rega Apollo, but open to suggestions.
Your thoughts?
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- 67 posts total
hickamore : I stand corrected. In English, "A cdp can be prone to issues". and " don’t marry Dora, she can be prone to issues" |
Not sure why anyone these days would purchase a CD player? You have to get off your seat to change the CD. Streaming hi res on Tidal is a much better alternative and I think the sound quality is much better. You also have access to a huge library of music. I would be interested in hearing expensive streamers compared to the Bluesound Node 2i to see if there is a noticeable difference in sound quality to warrant the expense. Problem is dealers don't have many choices to hear the differences. And I don't walk into stores due to COVID. |
- 67 posts total