Best CD Player in the $2000 - $3500 Range Used...

Jul 21, 2005 at 3:24 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 62
SolRage

SolRage

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Ok, first a little info: I've been into this world of audio hi-fi for about 5 years now. I began with a fairly meager setup (like most) and have upgraded slowly over time. Within the last two years is when i started getting into the world of headphones. Since i live in an apartment i've come to find that headphones are a real blessing.

My current setup is a NAD 541 -> Singlepower Supra -> Sony R10s.

I was one of the lucky ones that got a pair of the R10s when they were for sale on Amazon a while back. I immediately custom ordered the supra, and now i'm looking to upgrade my player. Considering that's the area i'm least knowledgable in, i thought i'd ask you fine folks for some advice.

Right now, my budget is in the $2k-$3.5k range. I'm willing to go a bit over if absolutely necessary. Considering i live in the crappy part (ok, it's really ALL crappy) of Arkansas i really have no place to try out this stuff so i'm mostly going to be buying based on everyone's suggestions (and my own research).

So far my top contenders are:

Rega Jupiter (I've heard the Planet and liked it - is the Jupiter that much better?)
Meridian G08 (This seems to be a favorite for many people. Any opinions welcomed)
Naim CD5i/CD5x (Not sure what the difference is between these two other than price. Any opinions welcomed again. Also any information on the various expensive "cap" upgrades.)

There's a few more i've left off that i don't know much about. I'm open to all suggestions and reviews.
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 4:26 PM Post #3 of 62
Jul 21, 2005 at 4:41 PM Post #4 of 62
I think a Mark Levinson and an Ayre CDP (e.g. CX-7 ) ough to be on your short list too.
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 4:54 PM Post #5 of 62
THIS looks mighty interesting too... though i'm a bit concerned that the seller has no feedback. That seems like a huge price cut ($14k to $4k?) for a player that good in that good of condition...
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 6:24 PM Post #7 of 62
Well, I'm largely repeating myself from a similar thread yesterday, but here goes anyway. In this price range I think a Linn Ikemi is an absolute must to audition ($4000 new, around $2000 used). I realize you don't have a lot of audio options where you live, but you should consider taking some time off (even if only a day) and traveling to a larger city where you can hear some of the equipmemt being suggested here. You can investigate the stores in that area before hand, and even call and tell them you are coming. Take along the gear you will be matching with the source if you can.

If you are not up to this, then you should definitely buy used. That way you can unload the stuff on Audiogon if you are less than thrilled. The sound of digital is quite variable even at the higher end - not so much in quality per se, but in character. Appreciation of these sources is highly subjective, and it is a personal matter as to what will be most musically involving for you. No one can answer it for you before hand based on *their* ears.

Oh, and if you can, audition an Esoteric DV-50 ($6000 new, around $3500 used on Audiogon). Very different than the Ikemi, and in some objective ways better (e.g, in detail), though I still subjectively find the Ikemi more musical. Again, it is the subjective that counts here. Most of us in this hobby are after an involving musical experience - that magical degree of emotional and intellectual engagement in music that can happen so much more readily with really good gear. And by good gear, I mean the gear that is good to *your* ears.
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 6:39 PM Post #9 of 62
Oh, and DON'T go for a "high quality" PC set up over a CD player in the price range, unless the advantage of having all your music digitally stored on a hard drive is really important to you. Dedicated audio (not computer) hard drive systems can sound better than many high end CD players, but the ones I am thinking about cost many times the price range you are in.

A lot of advocates of PC audio make statements like the above. I don't doubt that PC audio has come a long way. I don't doubt that it is very good at its best. But better than dedicated high end audio equipment? That is a rash statement. I have yet to meet a person who has owned a really good audio system and has wide experience with high end gear who holds this view.

I probably just threw a bomb. I hope it doesn't explode this thread.
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 6:48 PM Post #10 of 62
Gives you a choice of solid-state or tube output. There are a few on Audiogon:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....lay&1126445094

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Jul 21, 2005 at 7:08 PM Post #12 of 62
Quote:

Originally Posted by newmanoc
Well, I'm largely repeating myself from a similar thread yesterday, but here goes anyway. In this price range I think a Linn Ikemi is an absolute must to audition ($4000 new, around $2000 used). I realize you don't have a lot of audio options where you live, but you should consider taking some time off (even if only a day) and traveling to a larger city where you can hear some of the equipmemt being suggested here. You can investigate the stores in that area before hand, and even call and tell them you are coming. Take along the gear you will be matching with the source if you can.

If you are not up to this, then you should definitely buy used. That way you can unload the stuff on Audiogon if you are less than thrilled. The sound of digital is quite variable even at the higher end - not so much in quality per se, but in character. Appreciation of these sources is highly subjective, and it is a personal matter as to what will be most musically involving for you. No one can answer it for you before hand based on *their* ears.

Oh, and if you can, audition an Esoteric DV-50 ($6000 new, around $3500 used on Audiogon). Very different than the Ikemi, and in some objective ways better (e.g, in detail), though I still subjectively find the Ikemi more musical. Again, it is the subjective that counts here. Most of us in this hobby are after an involving musical experience - that magical degree of emotional and intellectual engagement in music that can happen so much more readily with really good gear. And by good gear, I mean the gear that is good to *your* ears.


Oh, believe me i understand just how much subjectiveness goes into this wallet draining hobby.
biggrin.gif
I went through quite a few cans before i found the ones that were a dream match for my tastes. You can believe i've done alot of selling and trading in my time. The problem with sources is being able to try them out and haul my stuff along too. That would be a real problem living where i do - taking a day off probably wouldn't help much - especially considering i wouldn't have much time to listen, compare, etc. Then there's nagging little factors like burn-in.

But i'm pretty good at matching what my ears will like by reading reviews. Saying the R10s are my dream cans should tell alot about the flavor of music i like to begin with. I need a source that will enhance The R10s strong and weak points.

Trying to break it down: The R10s are wonderfully both musically and in detail. In my player i'd probably prefer a player that had slightly more detail since the R10s already produce music that is FAR from "overly analytical". I'd also like a cd player with good bass volume and impact since if there's one weak spot of the R10s it's in the bass. I'm a sucker for huge soundstage so any player that could add to the R10s cavernous like soundstage would be a plus. The R10s do imaging as good as any headphone i've ever heard so i wouldn't be too concerned about that in my player. Any player that could add to the R10s already orgasmic mid-range would be nice - but not completely necessary - too. The R10s highs are extremely liquidy so i don't need any help there. But they are almost bordering on bright. So i need a player that doesn't have an extremely bright top end (more like neutral to dark). And accurate timbre is extremely important so i'd need a player with great and accurate timbre detail.

As far as some of the more elusive musical reproduction terminology... i'm not so good with. So perhaps if everyone could just somewhat go on that description.

And thanks for your suggestions too. I'll add them to my list.
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 7:10 PM Post #13 of 62
On the low end of your range the
Cary 306/200 is great. Hard to beat used in the $2K range. On the other end would be Audio Research CD3 MKII. I love both these players.
However..... I would get a new modified Sony 999ES from modwright with the full blown tube mods and new clock and silver cord running to the power supply over either. This will give you really great redbook and sacd for a little more than a used Cary and less than the used Audio research. Plus you get a warranty and a new player that can compete with the big boys. Have got to try one with the Singlepower amp (but not the R10) and it sounds wonderful. Have also heard Purks modwright Pioneer elite with the Singlepower SDS and it was great also.
 
Jul 21, 2005 at 7:15 PM Post #14 of 62
Jul 21, 2005 at 7:30 PM Post #15 of 62
The Naim CD5x would be a good choice used. Should be had for about $2300 used. I love mine so much I added a Hi-Cap to it.

The CD5x can take an external power supply. The CD5i can’t so it’s a dead end- no power supply upgrade path. The CD5x takes a lot of its design from the CDX2. Looking internally it’s hard to differentiate the CD5x from the CDX2 where looking inside the CD5i it’s obvious that it’s not a CDX2.


For that kind of money you could look for a used CDX2?

Trust your own ears and you won’t be disappointed.


Mitch
 
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