Need CD player advice

[random_alias]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on Head-Fi and I sure do appreciate the help.

I need a CD player. Now, here's the catch - I just need a CD player. Whatever I buy needs optical or coax output. I will be using the CD player as a transport to feed my Headroom ULTRA micro DAC which connects to my Headroom ULTRA micro amp, both of which are powered by the Headroom Desktop Power Supply (DPS). I then connect a pair of GRADO RS-1 headphones to the amp for listening.

So, I need a high quality CD transport but don't want to pay a lot for components that I'll be bypassing. I have a few SACDs but don't need a SACD player as those albums are hybrid and most of my music is not released on SACD. I like a simple, clean appearance without a bunch of flashing lights or useless buttons.

I don't want to pay more than I need to but I also don't want to buy cheap crap. I am, however, willing to pay for noticable audio improvement.

I haven't limited myself to any dollar amount or brand names because I want to keep an open mind. Hopefully, I have explained my needs well enough. If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. Thanks again for the help.

Here is a good example of my taste in components:

 

[Mediahound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by random_alias /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi everyone. This is my first post on Head-Fi and I sure do appreciate the help. I need a CD player. Now, here's the catch - I just need a CD player. Whatever I buy needs optical or coax output. I will be using the CD player as a transport to feed my Headroom ULTRA micro DAC which connects to my Headroom ULTRA micro amp, both of which are powered by the Headroom Desktop Power Supply (DPS). I then connect a pair of GRADO RS-1 headphones to the amp for listening. So, I need a high quality CD transport but don't want to pay a lot for components that I'll be bypassing. I have a few SACDs but don't need a SACD player as those albums are hybrid and most of my music is not released on SACD. I like a simple, clean appearance without a bunch of flashing lights or useless buttons. I don't want to pay more than I need to but I also don't want to buy cheap crap. I am, however, willing to pay for noticable audio improvement. I haven't limited myself to any dollar amount or brand names because I want to keep an open mind. Hopefully, I have explained my needs well enough. If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. Thanks again for the help. Here is a good example of my taste in components:

How about the Little Dot?: Viewing a thread - The Little Dot CDP_I CD Transport

 

[Uncle Erik]

Are you willing to buy used? I've always been fond of Rega's CD players. You can find a variety of them at excellent prices over at Audiogon.

 

[Mediahound]

Actually, I notice from your picture that you have a Panasonic DVD player. That's likely a fine CD transport itself. Why not just use that?

 

[random_alias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phototristan /img/forum/go_quote.gif How about the Little Dot?: Viewing a thread - The Little Dot CDP_I CD Transport

I've been looking at one of those. In fact, it's #1 on my list ATM. I'm just waiting for some insightful reviews. I may jump the gun and order one anyway.

 

[random_alias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you willing to buy used? I've always been fond of Rega's CD players. You can find a variety of them at excellent prices over at Audiogon.

They have very interesting designs. I may be wrong, but all the models I found had "high quality" DACs. I hate to pay for one DAC if I'm going to bypass it by using a $600 external DAC I already have.

Still, I'll keep an eye out on the used prices. If I can find a really good deal it may be worth it even if used as a transport only. Thanks

 

[random_alias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phototristan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, I notice from your picture that you have a Panasonic DVD player. That's likely a fine CD transport itself. Why not just use that?

It's a Pioneer DV-444 that came with a Home Theater In-a-Box setup I bought several years ago. I was using a Laptop with Foobar ASIO and an M-Audio Transit, playing .FLAC files and running them through the HeadRoom Ultra Micro Stack. I decided I wanted to go back to a more tactile, pure method of listening to my music. You know, a dedicated listening area, no distractions, dark room, listening to an entire album instead of jumping around various single tracks, no computer reminding me of checking my email or doing my college schoolwork, no long list of albums making me think about the next song I want to choose instead of paying attention to the one I am playing, pushing buttons instead of clicking a mouse, thumbing through the CD insert. When I made that transition, the Pioneer DVD was all I had sitting around to use. However, I would like something a little "nicer". I have also heard, although I have no dedicated CDP to compare against, that DVD players don't make the best CD transports. Something about timing and clocks and lasers.

But you may be right. In the end, I may find myself glancing back and forth from my old DVD player to an expensive transport and wondering if I can hear a difference.

 

[jlaakso]

I've been searching for moderately priced CDP or CDT lately. Preferably with small footprint since my wife's middle name is 'Visual Eye'

There is a wide range of high end transports but I feel that they are quite overpriced and/or over the budget for common head-fiers (and hi-fiers too). Actually You will pay a lot more for a transport with no DACs and output stages than for a regular reliable CDP which can also be used as a transport. OK, You will always be wondering if you paid for features You don't use. Then again, if You pay for example $400 for cd-player which has reliable pickup mechanism and decent digital output compared to >$1000 for a transport. There are differences between transports, that I do not question. But I really question should I pay A LOT more for a CDT which actually very often have the Philips or Sony pickup mechs than the moderately priced consumer CDPs.

I have narrowed my search for CDP/CDT to these two:

1) Teac PD-H600
2) Shanling PCD300A

They are moderately priced (around $500), small footprint, modest looking (they are not stating "Yo, I am the crown jewel of this set, at least I look like one"), they have decent DACs (Shanling has PCM1738, Teac: PCM1796).

Unfortunately, they are not commonly known among audiophiles and these compact player are often regarded as market hi-fi. Sorry for partial hijack, but has anyone heard or reviewed these players? Could anyone recommend these players to OP and me? or suggest some other player with similar features.

 

[random_alias]

jlaakso,

Thanks for those recommendations. I looked them up and decided there were a lot of things I like about the Shanling PCD3000A.

Take a look inside.

It's size, color, and shape should match well with my Headroom equipment, forming a well organized, dark pyramid of sonic bliss. I listen to music with the lights off so the PCD3000A unique joystick interface should eliminate the problem of hitting the wrong button in the dark.

I ordered one NEW off Ebay for $342.80 shipped and insured. I'll be using an Acoustic Research Master Series Digital Coaxial Cable and mini adapter to connect the Shanling PCD3000A to my Headroom Ultra Micro DAC.

It will likely take 2 weeks to get here, being shipped from China. I'll post my impressions once I've spent some time with the unit.

Thanks again to everyone for your friendly advice.

 

[Mediahound]

Let us know how you like it.

The fact that it has a headphone jack (hopefully a good one) is a definite plus~!

 

[Mediahound]

What's the difference between the 300A and the 3000A?

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phototristan /img/forum/go_quote.gif What's the difference between the 300A and the 3000A?

Wait a second

I know this

...


an extra "0"


what do I win?

 

[random_alias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phototristan /img/forum/go_quote.gif What's the difference between the 300A and the 3000A?

A typographical error. However, I do not know which one is incorrect as it seems to be referred to by one form as much as the other.

See wavoman's post below.

 

[random_alias]

I just found a closeup shot of the player where I could read the letters on the front.

CD PLAYER PCD3000A is the correct designation as that is what is written on the front of the unit.

I have edited my post to correct the error. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

See wavoman's post below.

 

[wavoman]

It is NOT a typographical error.

One is the U.S. version, the other the China version. Only difference is the language used in the manual (300 comes only with Chinese docs).

Buy whichever you can find cheaper -- the manual adds nothing.

HP output is excellent, btw

PS: Poster random has seen a picture of the 3000; I am HOLDING IN MY HANDS the 300 (the PCD300A to be exact). I have this right. No one made an error here -- both are widely available and discussed on the web.