What are the best CD-changers?

For using a changer as a transport for a DAC, the best bang for the buck is a $89 Aiwa at Best Buy. For a player the above recommendations are good at their price points, plus the Rotel with the same Burr Brown chip.

I totaly agree with sugarbrie's advice. I personally know six audiophiles (plus myself) that have systems that cost over $10k, which use the Awia transport/ MSB (modified) set-up. Its really that good!

Stan Warren will modify a multi-disc Pioneer DVD Player into a great stand alone changer/player for around $250 plus the cost of the DVD Player that you supply.

He also does a $160 modification to the Aiwa Changer/Transport that is well worth it.

I have finally gotten my $90 Aiwa changer modified by Stan Warren and to my amazement (and delight) it sounds great as a transport. I paid $130 plus $20 shipping for the mod, so for $240 I have a multi-disc changer that rivals the performance of my Parasound CBT-2000 transport which originally sold for around $1600. The mod includes a digital cable that is not a toslink but will only plug into a toslink input. I don't know how this works, but it does work fine and it sounds great. I think the only areas that the Aiwa gives up to a mega buck transport is a very slight loss of transparency and very deep bass response, but at these prices, who cares. Compared to the stock Aiwa, the modified one has fuller bass and a much smoother midrange. If you are going to get the mod, make sure to follow Stan's instructions for labeling your box.

The question is how long will it last.The Adcom would be a good deal @$700 but it and the $1K and $1.5 K CAL crap out after some time.Check the new Sony $800 that has some heft and plays SACD.Genrally speaking CD only no longer makes sense.Even a cheaper DVD carousel player with up sampling or again a full hybrid player (I am skeptical about DVD-A though) makes the most sense.Then get a MSB rig to D/A it and your cooking with gas.