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Help to pick redbook player

I want a player mainly for redbook CD listening, but SACD, DVD, DVD-A or changer would be a bonus. I narrowed my choices to these players. I might would have to get two players. I have no opportunity to audition most of them so I am asking your opinions which one has best redbook CD playback, perhaps in decending order:

1.Arcam CD72 - $500 used

2.ROTEL RCC-1055 CD changer $500 used

3.Yamaha DVD-S2300 SACD/DVD-A/DVD $800 new
http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gCLD00010DVD-S2300

4.Philips 963 SACD/DVD/CD 192upsampling $360 new
http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c/ce/catalog/product.jhtml;jsessionid=4NNPNVRQN2DXUCRQNAVRX2QKGBUTSHAW?divId=0&groupId=VIDEO_GR&catId=DVD_CA&subCatId=DVD_PLAYERS_SU&productId=DVD963SA

5.Sony 222ES changer SACD/CD $300 used

6. Rega Planet 2000 $550 used
http://www.rega.co.uk/html/planet.htm

Are they all pretty close in terms of redbook playback quality or some stand off much more? Thank you!
chelentano
wellfed's avatar
wellfed
690 posts
 
I was going to mention the Philips 963, I have heard very good things about this unit from a reliable source.
karabiyikoglu
8 posts
 
my advice; cd player will not solve your problem. get rid of the avr525. buy a decent integrated amp. i am using unison research unico. less expensive are rotel and arcam integrateds. you can match them with same line cd player (or the arcam dvd player), voila!
chelentano OP
14 posts
 
Karabiyikoglu,
I bought Arcam Appha 9 player. Now I am thinking avr525 could serve as good prepro and then I would get 2-channel power amp for the main speakers. Do you think this is a good route?
karabiyikoglu
8 posts
 
if you want a HT system you may keep the avr525, i choose not to comment on HT. if you want a (good) budget 2 channel system, again, get rid of the avr525. i donot believe in budget pre-power combos, because you will end up having;
1- problems of matching
2- longer signal path
3- need for an extra pair of interconnects
my advice, again;
1- good cd player
2- one pair of good interconnects
3- good integrated amplifier (2 channel of course)
you may go for an arcam integrated now. to get the best out of your system you will need good cables too. check used pure silver sound and homegrown audio interconnects and dh labs speaker cables for budget cabling. by the way, i ordered a refurbished philips dvd963sa ($300). will post my experience on that soon.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Karabiy.., Unico might not be enough for Paradigm at least I didn't feel it was conservatively rated. I'd prefere going with NAD C370 integrated and you're right,... prior upgrading CD-player.
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