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In Reply to: RE: Best value disc player posted by bigshow on June 17, 2015 at 18:00:20
Of the 1990s vintage Philips 5-disc carousel changers I've heard, this one is maybe the best sounding unit "stock"..... I also prefer it over the CC-65 (SE), in spite of the CC-65's "audiophile" pedigree.
There are not many digital sources, mainstream or high-end, that I prefer over this particular unit. Often available on eBay for ~ $100 including shipping.
Follow Ups:
How do the CC-45 and the CC-65 sound different from one another?
I once had a CC-65SE modified by Don Allen (now retired from audio), the 65 had that stereotypical "consumer audiophile" sound, seemingly detailed, but somewhat boring in regard to enjoyment of the music. Don's mod showed this particular unit had a better stock output stage than most, but the DAC section itself was typical of consumer digital products of the day. (Don's mod kind of revealed the flaws of the DAC section.) The weak part of the unit, which I think cannot be upgraded.
The CC-45 is a different fish altogether. (In spite of looking almost identical.) Not targeted for the "audiophile" market per se, these units had several flavors of op-amp chips for the output stage. It in my opinion has a far better DAC section, one of the best I've heard in any player, consumer or "audiophile". (The only DAC section that beats it is the Philips CDC-935 carousel, but a crappy output stage brings it down. That changer only shines if the output stage is gutted and replaced with an aftermarket output stage. The two variants of these Philips-based 5-disc carousel changers are the DAC and output sections. And what was touted as better wasn't necessarily so.) And with the best sounding op-amp chip, it was maybe the best sounding consumer player I've heard in stock form. The units with the "poorer" op-amp chips still sounded decent.... It's a crapshoot, but if it sounds like it doesn't need to be modded, it probably has the good op-amp chip.
If Don remembers which op-amp chip was the best for the CC-45, I'll post it here. I do speak to him periodically.
Forgot to mention..... The CC-65SE came with a "weighted" chassis.... This became a mod that Don incorporated in the other Philips carousel changers, inspired by that particular Marantz unit. Don mounted a "steel plate" to the bottom of the chassis, to sink RF emissions. With the good "op-amp" chip, this is the main difference between Don's modified CC-45 and the stock CC-45.
Best single disc CD players from Marantz?
Aside from the JVC XL-Z1050, I don't know of a "consumer" single disc player that's a mindblower like the Marantz CC-45 and Philips CDC-935 changers. The JVC really connects the listener to the music, but isn't as "clean" as the two changers.
If I had to choose a single-disc solution, I'd use the JVC as a transport, and maybe the Schitt Bifrost Uber DAC. But I've never tried the Bifrost with a CD transport. But I do like how it interfaces with a computer sound card, via Toslink.
I've gotten so used to the 5-disc changers, I don't even think about single disc players..... My single disc suggestion might not be the best option out there.
Spoke to Don Allen today.... The op amp in the Marantz CC-45 changer is the LM833. (I don't know how many, but one is dual-channel. I'd order at least 2, just in case....) The manufacturer of the good version is STMicroelectronics.
Since I've not actually dug into one of these players, I don't know which type of mount it is, but it appears the version readily stocked is the "surface mount" or "D" version. (Digi-Key stocks the "D" version .) If the changer uses a "through hole" mount ("N" version), you'd have to straighten the pins with needle-nose pliers.
Good work!
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