CD/SACD player Under $4000

@faustuss If the consumer would pay for it, they would include a gross of new tubes. Companies should, at least, include an order form in the box so you can order a spare drive if you choose. In a quality player, it's the only part that wears out. Of course, the greedy would rather you bought a new player when the old one no longer works. 

@dweller 

"Companies should, at least, include an order form in the box so you can order a spare drive if you choose. In a quality player, it’s the only part that wears out. Of course, the greedy would rather you bought a new player when the old one no longer works."

It might surprise you to know that there are a few reputable manufacturers that don’t expect you to have a problem but if you do they have parts in inventory earmarked for just the case along with the diagnostic and repair support. The important thing is to find one of those manufacturers and think long and hard about what your prospects of keeping the component are for the long term.

I gave up my CD player years ago and just ripped everything to hard disk.  Bits is bits.  The difference between CD players is in whatever DAC they have built internally.

Rip to hard drive and run a good DAC.

 

 

russbutton

517 posts

07-19-2026 at 02:13pm 

I gave up my CD player years ago and just ripped everything to hard disk.  Bits is bits.  The difference between CD players is in whatever DAC they have built internally.

Rip to hard drive and run a good DAC
 

Cool. I hope you have a backup or three…and not a very revealing system where you are unable to hear the difference. 

Buy another XA-5400 for 1300 or so. Bought mine second hand 2 years ago had no problems and am listening to it playing Pretzel Logic CD right now. Plays CD’s very well and is ALSO a great CD transport into my Gungnir Multibit (A2) DAC. 

CDP-XA5400ES>Pioneer C91 preamp>Mcintosh MC352>Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G speakers= happy camper @ 4:00 pm......