Need a new CD player. Suggestions please.


The past 3 years I've put together a modest new system including a NAD C538 that is failing.  It doesn't sound as good as it used to even with an external DAC and if you skip a track it doesn't play the first few seconds of the next track.

Looking for a replacement has been frustrating.  My  last CD player was a Sony ES 400 disc changer that played everything including SACD.  I almost wish I hadn't let it go when I moved.

The CD players that appeal to me are in the $3k to $5k range.  I'm not sure I want to spend that much.  Can somebody recommend a new CD player for $1k or less?  I'm fine with a transport and don't mind using an external DAC.  I have a smattering of SACD's but a non SACD player wouldn't be the end of the world.

Thanks in  advance for any suggestions.

emuagogo

 

Do yourself a favor and get a Blue sound vault (or similar) and put all your CD's on it. Then you don't need a CD player. Use your DAC with the vault. 

 

I did this last year and am so much happier than the old CD player. Everything is on one hard drive, back up available. Easy to use, just toss a CD into it and it does the rest. It copies the CD in FLAC or WAV, WAV is standard CD format FLAC is a slightly compress format but lossless.

It sounded as good as my prior CD player/transport, and everything is in one place. Also, if you do streaming at all or want to try its built in the vault. You do need to connect it to the internet so it can find the meta data for the CD’s this is how it builds your library ie song, album art etc.

no bids, 22 hrs left, $516. usd min bid

Luxman DU-50 Universal Player, (see video off feature).

https://yahoo.aleado.com/lot?auctionID=b1200107176

lots of add ons, I would do a quickie estimate +65% of winning bid to usa, probably finish in your budget

I bought a Sony xa5400es, love it, highly recommend it, but only if you know the laser has low hours, they weaken with age. I bought from original owner and it had confirmed low hours in his 2nd system, 

this is from a re-seller, you could ask what they might know

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224446943564?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110013%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIMRXI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D292798%2C292122%26meid%3D1ddb09d444db41ae99b39899e9c54f35%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D157339810668%26itm%3D224446943564%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimRXIVIWithAspectRecallAndDiversity%26brand%3DSony&_trksid=p2332490.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum%3A2244469435641ddb09d444db41ae99b39899e9c54f35%7Cenc%3AAQAKAAABEOqMkuSAG6ItrRvsdD9sfIOitRvq9S3zkbLwWuQv0VbI6jNBMxuv2D6ql7XdjmAaGicFUP0RRX%252B5tdt20WZGw%252FzKKO7iPNYqBfuFrF7QVR47wGg0WMmjqXMk%252BNXJL7iQ3d2NhiXPjceS7QKM%252BspKHpE9DyzihTrvKrviaUdOggWd8ITcTk4%252FZIEoUnJ9E57AM6CQBSezFbjKnlzNwMViBJbq8YUvQc8Hm%252FJq17QrmTJ6ye0HBrLNqB3URip%252F8Rd6vapdlkpqvd1OF%252BKqloxZHLKrIe1K51ksQ96kf7Q6FtMAdogpWXZzul1V5YYkMiKZg40zLXscY6gNvG8MWgrjOY0EynleN3dwMh%252F6Nr%252BU8PKL%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=109698873&itmmeta=01K5S2TV9EP6BD4RD1XAHBSQ71

I like it’s sound so much, I started buying used cd’s, used sacd’s and I’m still rediscovering my large cd collection.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sony-sacd-player-scd-xa5400es-yay-or-nay?highlight=sony%2Bxa5400%2Byay

many, all re-sellers

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=xa5400es

 

At the prices of these current players, what is keeping Oppo from re-entering the market? It would be nice to use my 205 without worrying that I’m hastening its failure (Am I a worrier or just aware that actions have consequences?). Will I be able to have it fixed? Won’t I? C’mon Oppo, can’t be that hard to do a reboot.  

Stay with major brands like Marantz, Rotel, or Musical Fidelity in the under $1000 price point.  If you buy pre-owned, be careful.  Many audiophile manufacturers are no longer supporting disc format equipment.  Lasers have a usable life.  So parts and support may not be available.  Check with the manufacturer before buying pre-owned models. I learned by experience with a Linn Unidisc 1.1.  
 

My strong recommendation is to go with a server/streamer and either stream albums in your collection from Qobuz or Tidal, and/or burn and upload your CD collection.  I believe you will get better SQ in this way.  You may need to up your budget to $1500 to get a pre-owned Aurender N100H, Innuos ZENminni, or equivalent.  Personally, I prefer the Aurender house sound.  If you up the budget to the $3500 range(within you $3000-$5000 range), sound quality will improve proportionally if you get a pre-owned Aurender N200.  At reduced SQ compared to the prior recommendations, go with a new Bluesound Vault server and/or Node streamer.

Good luck.