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cheap standalone cdp

post #1 of 16
7/25/08 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking to buy a new cdp that's not too expensive and is reliable to play only redbooks from headphones, what are my options? My budget is under 500$, the cheaper the better!
edit: I'm not sure it's a good idea to use the headphone out of a cdp (when there is one) instead of a seperate amp so please help me
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post #2 of 16
7/26/08 at 7:45pm
Separate headphone amp is better, but the headphone outputs of some CD players are surprisingly decent. It might be more economical to buy an inexpensive CD player with a digital output to use as a transport, and a combination DAC/amp to do the D/A conversion and drive your headphones.
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post #3 of 16
7/26/08 at 8:39pm
The Marantz CD5001 has a good amp. Take a look here............
MARANTZ CD5001 Single Disc CD Player | Accessories4less=
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post #4 of 16
7/26/08 at 9:00pm
An Oppo player maybe?
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post #5 of 16
7/27/08 at 4:44am
The Yamaha CDX-497 and the Denon DCD-700E are the ones to listen to if bangs for bucks are important. They don't make it to the hifi forums, but that's because people tend to bypass them for something with more$$$ on the price tag. The Denon has a 24bit/384Kz oversampling DAC chip, plays mp3 and WMA, has a decent headphone output for low impedance headphones, optical out, and is solidly built. OK, I got one of them now, but it took me several tries and loads of eBay trading ( = CDP disposal efforts to get rid of the ones I bought first), before I finally found the right solution.
The Harmon Kardon HD970 is a bit more expensive, but it too is a cracking good CDP and sounds a lot more musical than any or the Arcams or Marantz below the £800 that I have listened to.
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post #6 of 16
7/27/08 at 5:58am
The CD5001 sounds like a safe option.
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post #7 of 16
7/27/08 at 3:50pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your suggestions, the 5001 seems like a great bang for the buck. Now all I have to do is debate whether I'll pair it with something like the audioengine A2 or upgrade my phones to use with the internal amp.
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post #8 of 16
7/27/08 at 5:39pm
I would suggest a cheap digital transport (under $50), the Beresford DAC ($170ish), and the rest to a headphone amp, lots of choices. Then get the A2's and hook them up to the variable output on the Beresford.
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post #9 of 16
8/9/08 at 12:32am
I use an older Adcom GCD-575 (still available on eBay) which has a built-in preamp/headphone amp that works nicely with headphones having an impedance under 100. It can drive higher impedance phones but struggles. I've been looking at the Shanling PCD300A which has a similar configuration but is new and within your budget. You might consider searching the threads for more on those as I know there are a few that go into decent detail. It would leave you some $$ for music.
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post #10 of 16
8/9/08 at 6:37am
in order of preference (first two are outstanding):
rega planet
micromega stage 2
meridian 506
arcam alpha 9 or cd72
roksan kandy kc1
jolida jd-100
music hall cd-25

those are only if you want to be serious. if you just want something cheap, an older pioneer elite series is fine...
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post #11 of 16
8/17/08 at 4:39pm
Rotel 1072, used. You'd need a separate amp.
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post #12 of 16
8/17/08 at 5:10pm
I have the Marantz CC4001, the 5 Disc changer version. It is very well made, with one of the more substantial changer drawers I have seen, and nice thick solid metal front. It is $190 factory refurbished, or $330 new. If you are interested, I will try various headphones out of it's headphone section for you. I have available Beyer DT880, AKG K340, Sony MDR-CD3000, Sony MDR-CD900ST, Sony MDR-7506 and Koss Pro4AA at the moment. Just specify which ones you want me to try, and with what type of music, and what specific issues you are looking to know about(SPL, distortion, etc.). This will be a biased sighted listening test of course - so keep that in mind. Personally, I have never even tried the headphone out on the unit, so I can't say a thing about that right now.

-Chris
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post #13 of 16
8/17/08 at 5:37pm
Harry - I think the Marantz CD5001 is a terrific value. I use their SA8001, the SACD version, which has the same headphone amp. Marantz actually put a dedicated amp in these players, which is a nice touch for us headphone geeks.

The amp isn't the best I've heard, but plenty good enough. During hot summer nights when I don't want to run tubes, I listen to it. It is good enough for me to get lost in the music and not notice flaws in the amp. My ultimate bargain rig would probably be the CD5001 with theSennheiser HD-600.

Another inexpensive CD player I've enjoyed a lot is the original Rega Planet. It has a smooth, easy sound not found in most digital devices. No headphone amp, but it is worth considering. The cast aluminum case and top loader are pretty cool, too.
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post #14 of 16
8/17/08 at 7:18pm
For an inexpensive new cdp, I agree with Penger's suggestion. Many seem to think that sonically, the Oppo is a real gem. Also, I believe it is a multi-format player, if that is important to you. I, myself, haven't heard one. Good luck!
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post #15 of 16
8/17/08 at 8:24pm
i ahd a couple of bad experiences with Marantz players and on top the warranty service is a pain in the neck, they only accept it from authorized dealers, and then the authorized dealers kill you with the prices, so I pass in players from them....
Get an Oppo...the new flagship has some problems in the aspect ratio, but still good overall player...as soon as they fix that issue and will grab one...
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