Best CDP for certain price range

[JahJahBinks]

I remember there was a thread in amp forum on the most recommended amps for difference price ranges, I thought it would be nice to have a thread on best CDP as well. Starting at $100 (if that's too low please pump it up), then maybe $100 ups a level and such. Thanks.

 

[peter braun]

Can used models be included also? If so, I suppose you might add the old NAD 502 in the $100 or so range.

 

[JahJahBinks]

Sure, but I am more interested in new CDP that's around $100, and for $150 what can I get.

 

[kentamcolin]

I have not checked into the new market lately - I recently spent $650 on a CDP and purchased used for more "bang" for the buck. I personally think you'll get a lot more used in that price range. For one thing, the build quality, even astetically, is pretty poor on cheap players. I recently sold a 9yr. old Yamaha CDX1060 for $150. This was a $900 player new and was built like a tank. It was really a beautiful player. Even the door was solid aluminum. It sounded great and will no doubt work for many years to come. Most of the high end players will have optical outputs so you can add a DAC to upgrade in the future. You'll still get very good sound now, and enjoy using a really nice machine. It doesn't matter to everyone, but I really appreciate something that oozes quality.

 

[Magic77]

Quote:

Originally posted by JahJahBinks Sure, but I am more interested in new CDP that's around $100, and for $150 what can I get.

Technics SL-PG4 for $120. Excellent single-disc, audio only CD Player.

This one has been mentioned by me several times, but always ignored.

 

[peter braun]

Well if you don't mind buying used equipment, I really think the Rotel RCD-950 is a steal. I bought my 1996 model recently for $160. The build quality is pretty good, far better than any new player in that price range. Sonically, I have really enjoyed it. It has a nice, solid low end and overall is very smooth. It is most definitely an audiophile grade cd player.

 

[kin3tix]

Quote:

Originally posted by Magic77 Technics SL-PG4 for $120. Excellent single-disc, audio only CD Player. This one has been mentioned by me several times, but always ignored.

Magic77, what headphones/amp are you using with this source? the way you speak of it makes it seem like an ns500 (i.e. a decent source at a decent price). maybe someone should review this player..i would certainly be interested in those comments.

 

[Rizumu]

I've seen you mention this player several times, Magic77. I've never seen you or anyone compare it to other similarly priced players though, so I haven't really considered it too much. Anyone know if it's better than the DCM-370?

 

[miroslav]

Being on a low budget I am also very interested in performance of SL-PG4 compared to, say, Sony XE570. I`d like to know is any of these two usable for direct headphone listening at least for some time till I`m able to afford a dedicated headphone amp.

 

[Rizumu]

Magic77: You don't have your account set to receive PMs or e-mail, so this is the only way I can contact you.

I'm still interested in getting some more details about the SL-PG4 player. Have you listened to any other players at this price that you can compare it to? Right now I'm going to go with either the Technics or the Denon DCM-370 since it has HDCD and is a CD changer.

I've read nothing but good things about the SL-PG4 on the web, and one review even said the audio CD playback is even better than the Sony SCD-CE775's (no idea if this is true). Would it be worth it to get the SL-PG4 over the DCM-370?

Thanks.

 

[Magic77]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rizumu Magic77: You don't have your account set to receive PMs or e-mail, so this is the only way I can contact you. I'm still interested in getting some more details about the SL-PG4 player. Have you listened to any other players at this price that you can compare it to? Right now I'm going to go with either the Technics or the Denon DCM-370 since it has HDCD and is a CD changer. I've read nothing but good things about the SL-PG4 on the web, and one review even said the audio CD playback is even better than the Sony SCD-CE775's (no idea if this is true). Would it be worth it to get the SL-PG4 over the DCM-370? Thanks.

I'm not familiar with the DCM-370. But, the SL-PG4 is a single-disc player. It's built very solid. It has a detatchable 2-prong power cord. The remote is actually quite small, but very good. It also has an adjustable output level feature on the remote. The display is in blue LED's. The CD tray opens and closes very smooth and dosen't seem to be cheaply made like other players.

I haven't made any comparisons. But, for $120 you can't go wrong with the SL-PG4; and single-disc audio CD players in this price range seem now to be an endangered species.

 

[Rizumu]

Yes, most of the other ones I've looked at, in the same price range, are CD changers or have DVD or SACD playback. I only really need a single disc audio CD player though, so I think I'll go with the Technics. Plus, my budget's shrunk considerably due to some extra ebay expenses

Thanks for the help.

 

[Cyberius]

I've had my eye on the PG4 for quite some time, but I didn't have an amp, and now that I finished my Cmoy last night, I'll have my eye even closer on it. Seems to get quite a bit of praise at www.audioreview.com Also check reviews on similar priced technics players as they probably use the same dac/output circuitry.

Sorry, looks like this got hijacked into a PG4 thread.