Need CD player advice

[random_alias]

wavoman,

Thanks for the correction. Have you used this unit as a transport? If so, can you give any impressions of how it sounds compared to any other transports you may have used with the same external equipment applied?

How about mechanical noise, build quality, input responsiveness? Any extra impressions would be appreciated.

 

[random_alias]

Check out posts #4 and #5 of this thread to read some impressions of the Shanling PCD300(0)A.

 

[twsmith]

I'm using a Shanling 3000A with my HR BUDA/UDAC combo -- works great. Very quiet transport, no problems to date reading discs, outputs an excellent stable digital signal via coax output. The size is a perfect fit for the BUDA/UDAC combo. Seems very sturdy - all metal casing. Complaints - really none, except readout only gives track # and time elapsed; the remote does not allow you to see how much time remains in disc or track, and you cannot turn machine on or off using remote. These are really minute issues compared to the overall quality of the transport.

 

[plonter]

before I got my MARANTZ CD5001 cd player,I used a cheap pioneer dvd player. the dvd performed very well as a transport and there isn't a HUGE difference between it and the marantz. but there is a slight difference and the marantz also got a very good headphone out by the way so I can listen once in a while if I want to change the sound a bit.
but mostly I am using it with my ultra micro stack / EF1.

Although it is not a standalone stansport, it is very good as a transport and very cheap because it is an old model. see if you can find it.

I think that,unless you go all the way for a "high-end" 5000-6000$ transport (wadia and such) they all will be pretty much the same. but just to be on the safe side...go for a mid price cd player with good reputation like I did, just to avoid the extra jitter that a low cost dvd can (maybe) introduce to the sound.

 

[s_nyc]

Many thanks to the OP for launching this thread. I would have thought that more of us are interested in this question though.

I am myself considering the purchase of a reliable but relatively cheap CD player that I would use on its own for a few months then pair with something like the Meier StageDAC, Stello DA 100 or PS Audio DL III.

Just thought I would drop a few more names to see if anyone has comments on those. I was initially thinking to the Marantz CD5003, but it seems that there are a few other choices in the same price range, e.g. Cambridge Audio 340C (seems solidly built, more than the Marantz?), Cambridge Audio Sonata CD30 (more compact, but is it as reliable as the former as a transport?), Onkyo DX-7355 (do not know much about this one), Sony XE370 (really cheap and looks totally ok), Yamaha CDX-397 (ditto), Sony XE597 (SACD player as well).

 

[tomk]

I ordered a Stello CDT 100 a few days ago from HRAM and faced the same issue of spinning the discs. Not much in affordable transports available. The Stello unit, and matching DA 100 Signature, seemed to be the only units in my price range. Considered Headroom gear, but avoided them for lack of a transport. Consider the Stello.

 

[wavoman]

x2 on twsmith's review of the Shanling -- he nailed it. I finally got around to playing with the unit and it is very good at producing a S/PDIF bitstream from redbook CDs, that's for sure.

 

[Mediahound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavoman /img/forum/go_quote.gif x2 on twsmith's review of the Shanling -- he nailed it. I finally got around to playing with the unit and it is very good at producing a S/PDIF bitstream from redbook CDs, that's for sure.

What I really want to know is how's the headphone amp in it? Does it need a separate headphone amp?

 

[wavoman]

Oh yea I said I would try that again and didn't. Sorry. At the NJ meet it sounded OK, but the room was noisy. Shanling claims it is not an afterthought.

I will be able to A/B it this weekend against a moderate alternate chain: moodlab dac + Head-Direct EF1. I can also try the line out in to the EF1, skipping the external DAC (thereby testing the Shanling DAC). I can also A/B the transport against a vintage Sony with optical S/PDIF out. For SE HPs I have the new Grado HF2, just arrived, Senn HD600s, and Sextetts. Should be fun -- hope I don't have to work instead.