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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
dishman442's avatar
dishman442
83 posts
 

Sorry to tag onto this, but my question is similar: since my Oppo died, I’m in need of a moderately priced play everything player. CD, SACD, DVD, BLU-RAY.  if I have to get a DAC, so be it. My system is analog based and quite good, but I want to occasionally play media I’ve collected over the years before I fell back in love with vinyl. 

rmcam1587
4 posts
 

I have a Yamaha CDX-1030 that’s been sitting in a rack unused for years. I broke it out the other day to verify it worked and listened to it through headphones, and it was glorious.  I’m wondering if I should try to sell it to someone who’d enjoy it, or put it back into my mostly home theater system when my Hypex amp comes in.

It’s so easy to forget how good things can sound when you fall into the habit of using background noise instead of sitting down for a while and devoting your time to more critical listening.

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,497 posts
 

Audiolab was considered a value a while back 

rmcam1587
4 posts
 

I have a Yamaha CDX-1030 that’s been sitting in a rack unused for years. I broke it out the other day to verify it worked and listened to it through headphones, and it was glorious.  I’m wondering if I should try to sell it to someone who’d enjoy it, or put it back into my mostly home theater system when my Hypex amp comes in.

It’s so easy to forget how good things can sound when you fall into the habit of using background noise instead of sitting down for a while and devoting your time to more critical listening.

vthokie83
1,224 posts
 

emuagogo

For under $1,000 I'd highly recommend the Audiolab 6000CDT, it is the transport I've had for the last 3 years and it does nothing wrong.

Unfortunately for me, I have also had the Jay's Audio CDT2 MkIII and CDT3 MkIII in my system.....and they are all of that their reputation implies and more. The CDT3 is SLIGHTLY better than the CDT2, but not enough to justify the price difference.

If I were you, I'd look for a used Jay's Audio CDT2 MkIII to pop up. They do come up once a month or so, but they sell really quickly....you'll need to check frequently

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