[destro713]

First of all, I'll have to make it clear that I currently have very little money and no job, so this purchase won't happen for at least another few months...

But I'm looking for a decent CD source, for headphone and speaker listening. Since this will be my first real CD player (except for crappy shelf systems), I'm keeping my budget low. I'd like to spend somewhere between $400 and $500, for the CD player AND the receiver combined. I know I can't expect perfect sound with that limit, but I'm not looking for a perfect rig. I'm looking for a solid entry-level setup to be used with mid-priced headphones as well as speakers close to $300/pair.

So, if any of you can recommend some good receivers or CD players that are around $200-250 each, let me know.

 

[Sovkiller]

The best way to go "el cheapo" (what I'm planning to do) is to get an external DAC and any Sony cheap CD player with digital out, and this will give you a decent sound better than more expensive units...a DAC could be found for 150-300 depending on the one you are looking for....

 

[destro713]

Well, I already have a DVD player (which has digital outs, of course), so I guess hooking an external DAC to that would have the same effect.

I know nothing about DAC's. What companies make them? Where should I look for ones in my range?

 

[bundee1]

For $400 you can get a NAD c320bee and for $150 you can get a MSB Link I . Nice simple system.

 

[hedonist]

For $350 you could get a used Music Hall CD-25. For $150 you could get a basic Sony stereo reciever.

 

[strohmie]

For less than $200, you can get an AMD CD8b CD player used. It's been recommended by joelongwood, who owns it andprobably has more high quality headphones than anyone here.

 

[Sovkiller]

If you are going with the external DAC, IMO you do not need to spend 400 or 350 in a transport, any decent CD Player (150 or even less) will work fine for you, if you want a cheap setup, but if you get the NAD or the AMD, IMO you do not need then, the DAC, both are reported to sound very good the way they came...of course they will sound better with the DAC though....but this is not a cheap setup then.

 

[destro713]

After reading some stuff about MSB DAC's, I think I'll hold off on getting a standalone DAC for now. I'm sure they're good for the money, but with speakers that are barely $300 per pair, I just don't think I'll hear any dramatic difference.

So, assuming I'll be using the player's own DAC, I'd want both the player and the receiver to be about equal in terms of quality. It's better to have two modestly good components than to have one fantastic component and one crappy one. If they're mismatched, the crappy part will bring the whole system down.

So, what are some good receivers around the $200-250 price point? Do Rotel or NAD make any entry-level receivers around that range?

 

[SunByrne]

Quote:

Originally posted by destro713 So, what are some good receivers around the $200-250 price point? Do Rotel or NAD make any entry-level receivers around that range?

Neither Rotel or NAD makes any receivers around there, but you can get a NAD integrated amp for around $325, which is pretty good if you don't listen to the radio...

 

[dsavitsk]

Quote:

After reading some stuff about MSB DAC's, I think I'll hold off on getting a standalone DAC for now. I'm sure they're good for the money, but with speakers that are barely $300 per pair, I just don't think I'll hear any dramatic difference.

No, I think this is wrong. You will be best off front loading things. The better the signal to start with, the better the sound. You cannot repair a bad source signal w/ the best of amps, however. To that end, there are tons of used DACs in your price range that are quite nice. (And if your DVD player has digital outs, use it and save some money.)

My personal favorite of the budget DACs is the CAL Sigma which has a tube in it and sounds quite good for the $230 you are likely to spend on it. Other good used DACs are some of the old Thetas like a DS Pro Basic II or DS Pro Prime II. Both of these can be found for around $300, and will blow the pants of some junk Rotel or NAD that you are likely to spend three times the money on. (my experience is that the CAL is smooth and has some tube sound, but can be a bit bright. The thetas are solid state, and have deep deep deep deep solid bass.) Remember that the digital conversion is a small part of the battle. Otherwise cd players/dacs are gain stages, i.e. they are pre amps, so the better the circuit, the better the sound, and an old used DAC that sold for $2500 when new will have a great bit of circuitry in it -- btter than anything Rotel or NAD has ever built.

The best place to find these used is audiogon.com.

-d

b/t/w - you can get used rotel/nad/ps audio, etc integrated amps in your price range. this is a good idea as good amps tend to not break.

 

[bundee1]

I spotted this and dropped dime on another post but this may be your big chance:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.p...onv&1068523988

Im not affiliated with the guy just thought Id pass the word.