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Best sounding CD player for under $500?

No, I'm not joking! :-) I'm about to have to lay out a fair amount of money to have my SOTA Sapphire turntable refurbished by SOTA, and I also need to plunk down some money for a new pair of loudspeakers to replace the Vandersteen's that are now much too big for my new, downsized listening room, which also has the double for a guest bedroom.

So I am looking for a CD player, even a mass-market one, that sounds as good as possible for the price. I am setting an absolute, upper limit for this of $500, maximum, and if it comes in at well under $500, so much the better. Since I have, or will have, a very nice analog front end with "miles" of vinyl to listen to once the system comes together, I don't see the CD player choice as being life-and-death at this point. It's just that I have a growing collection of CDs to play, of necessity. So, I don't care what the brand name is... for that matter, it can be a mass-market player that I can pick up at a big-box electronics store. So here's a different kind of challenge for you experts: what's the best sounding, currently available "cheapie" CD player you've heard? :-)
rebbi
rebbi OP
1,326 posts
 
Tiger,

Are you using one of the Oppo DVD players for CD's only?
Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,536 posts
 
The Oppo is a great bargain for a multipurpose player, but does not compete head to head with newer dedicated entry level HiFi red book players. You are paying for video and multichannel audio DACs and design compromises that dedicated players don't have to make. I think there are other better choices unless you need to be able to play DVDs too.

For example,

New:

Music Hall CD25.2
as stated above, very nice sounding - resolution plus neutrality

Cambridge Azur 540C v2 (do not recommend v1 if buying used)
resolution champ if that is your bag - forward

NAD C542
laid back and musical, but a little rougher around the edges than the other two

Used:

Cambridge Azur 640c v2 (v1 very similar to 540C v2)
lots of resolution but smoother and more musical presentation than the 540 v2 - 2 DACs

NAD C542 (or older NAD C54X)
C542 on sale on ebay, C522 for sale on Agon for cheap

Music Hall CD25.2 (or older better model)
same as above only cheaper

Rotel RCD-970 (or newer RCD-1072 if available)
a little forward but good resolution, also on Audiogon

Musical Fidelity A3.2 just sold on Agon for $490
smooth and musical player

Some places to start.
elf73
104 posts
 
I have an Oppo.. it rules for Divx, standard DVDs.. and only $169. See if it is good enough as is, if not.. get a cheap DAC.

I haven't tried this particular one but a lot of people seem to like it at $250-300... the Paradisea DAC.. (i think it's tubed):

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1171539126&openusid&zzTvad&4&5

Then you can also experiment with a computer based music server system.. if you haven't already.

Or get a Sony Playstation SCPH 1001 off craigslist for $40 and see what you think...

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6886&sid=40b2653d39999f53df246da72ef9d7c6
dunkmeister
52 posts
 
If you are looking for a universal player you can't go wrong with OPPO for the price. If you are looking for player I would suggest the Cambridge Audio 640 V1 or a V2 (if you find one used it will be in your price range). Of course the NAD 541 and 542 are always safe choices. I agree you could go with a little money in an old rotel or a sony (most models solid players) and add a DAC (Adcom DGA-600 or a Channel Island VDA-1 would be two lower priced ones you could consider).
rotarius
431 posts
 
Get a Sony 9100es or the older 999es which to me sound better than most of the players mentioned above. Yes, I have used most of the ones mentioned, not heard the MF 3.2.
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