[mjg]

I have recently become very obsessive about audio, and I think my bank account might divorce me haha. I have some cash coming my way, and I'm not very satisfied with mp3s, which I may have mentioned. Markl, you had some cdp advice for me?? : ]
I'm looking in the $1000 range, no more then $1200ish, and I'm looking for quality over features I guess... Perhaps if it was SACD that could be fun, but this is for 'phones, not speakers... dedicated headphone cdp. I don't want something huge, and I don't think I want a changer either... Also, recommend me the interconnects.

This will complement my gilmore v2, sony cd3000's, and er4s.

So any ideas ? : ] I don't mind buying used.

 

[dd3mon]

I think he's gonna say the Hot-Rodded 555es falls right into your budget

Not to put words in his mouth, but given his impressions (in this huge thread) - I'm sure he couldn't recommend a better player in your price range from his experience.

-dd3mon

 

[mjg]

heh, well what do 'you' think? you given my some prudent advice thus far : ] (I wish i took it on that power cable thing though)

 

[dd3mon]

If I had $1000-$1200 to blow on a CDP, my first choice right now would be the sacdmods 555es. But, also with that kind of cash, I would definitely look into auditioning some great used CDP that could be found at that price for reference. I would be looking into players like the Arcam CD23-T and Jolida JD-100. A fully modded Music Hall CD25 can also be had for $1000 or so, and is said to be quite good (as well as more compact than a 555es).

Unfortunately, all my advice is research based, not experienced based at this point. I do have alot of knowledge from too many hours of browsing archives of this forum, AudioAsylum and several other sources, but I can't make any firm recommendations of a CDP in this price range as I've not the budget to purchase one myself

I do have a Sony SCD-CE775 (kind of a very, very little brother to the 555es) that I will be modding soon with sacdmods, and working with Matt Anker of sacdmods.com thus far has been very promising and informative. I'll be able to further recommend his work after it's done of course

Until then, do some searching here and on AudioAsylum, browse Audiogon for players in your price range and do some research on them. Real-life auditions would be the best way to go, find out if there are any good hi-fi shops in your area that might carry some good players in this price range.

-dd3mon

 

[markl]

Quote:

I think he's gonna say the Hot-Rodded 555es falls right into your budget

 

[Hirsch]

A used Creek CD53 can sometimes be found on Audiogon under $1K. This is a pure redbook player, with excellent performance (better IMO than the Sony 9000ES. I can't speak to the others in this thread, or to modded units).

 

[mjg]

I think the 555ES looks a bit out of my price range... I see them selling for 1000 alone. I do like the Music Hall's looks, and price particularly. I'm going to focus my research on that one for the momment... Has anyone here particularly heard it with the gilmore amp?

 

[dd3mon]

If you look hard with some persistance, they can be found for under $600 (555es). The full mods cost $600 from sacdmods. Unfortunately 555es's are becoming more and more rare (discontinued).

-dd3mon

 

[TravelLite]

dd3mon, off-topic, but since you mentioned the SCD-CE775 I thought I'd link to the following brief article dated 07/08/03.

Audioholics - Sony SCD-CE775 SACD Player Modification by Audience

Incidentally, I've no idea who these people are or what they're all about. I just stumbled across the site while researching something completely unrelated, LOL.

TravelLite

 

[mjg]

man, some of these names crack me up, "audioholics"... perhaps they will have to add audiophilia to the likes of gambling, and other addictions that are detrimental to us. Audioholocs anonymous?! heheh

 

[dd3mon]

If you're interested in the Music Hall modified player here is a link to the modifer's ad on Audiogon.

-dd3mon

 

[Canman]

I use the Rega Planet 2000 with the Gilmore V2 and I have to say it is a very musically satisfying combination. I got it for $450 in the for sale forum here.

 

[orl2222]

Best bang for the buck:

Redbook only NAD 541i 350.00 range

SACD/Redbook: the Philips 963 SA. This player has taken alot of heat lately, but it is damn good! upsampling does make a difference on this player.

Sony CE 222 ES: If your heart is set on a Sony, this is the little brother to the 555. can be had for 325.00. Built like a tank. SACD on this unit is equal to the philips. About 98% of redbook playback ability of the NAD.

Modding is a option, but i think its one of those last 2% things. Try these players unmodded first.

MMF CD25: A easy mod on this player can be done by yourself: the opamp on this player is socketed I believe, which means by removing the cover you can try different ones your self, without having to pay BIG BUCKS to change the opamp. This might be a viable option is you absolutley have to have a "modded" player.

I see you have the Gilmore V2. Good choice for a amp. You have to love the all discrete design of this amp. I have the NAD, 963, and the 222. those all work extremely well with the Gilmore.

 

[markl]

Matthew Anker (sacdmods.com) mods the Sony 222ES and sacdlover feels that his mod-ed 222ES comes pretty close to the sound of the 555ES Hot Rod. maybe that's best bang-for-the-buck solution, topping out at around $700 for the player and the mods.

Mark

 

[mjg]

Mark, do you have a comparison of the totally modded music hall to your rig? I'd rather pay for the sound then features, you know... Unless I had some awesome deal. Those reviews of the modded out player as i've read, look pretty damn good!

Also, i just read that thread about sacd dying, and I don't want to buy a legacy product, since I don't even know if I'll buy software for it... How much do those discs sell for anyways? Have you built a decent collection already? I know jack about SACDS basiclly.

I saw happy you are with your unit though, and it makes my decisions even harder to make!@!@
I'm going to try and audition some of the units at this local hifi store, and I won't allow myself to buy anything unless I think for a good few weeks about it, this is getting ridiculous already for me heh.