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I am ready to upgrade my CD player but wife will only let me spend no more than $500.After much study, Technics DVD-A10N (which is DVD-Audio) stares at me for $399 at J&R in New York. The primary purpose is playing conventional audio CD's. I am searching for the best player for the money.
1) Am I better off looking for something different?
2) What models should I consider buying used?
3) Why wouldn't I want this unit?Thank you in advance.
Follow Ups:
It has a swith to turn off the video circuitry for audio-only listening. And WhatHiFi magazine says it is competetive with the $1000 Rotel RCD-991 and the Sony ES (forgot what model) CD player that retails higher than the Rotel. This competetiveness is on redbook CD playback. As for DVD playback, the picture quality is as good as those in its price range. I think you can't go wrong the the Technics DVD-A10.Jick
i am in the same boat as you. what i do to buy new stuff is start saving for what i want and keep my eye out for good used gear. if you get what you want in the first place youll be happy for a long time and you wont have to constantly upgrade-but it takes a little patience. also my wife libby thinks its "kinda cute" when i save up all my change.i havnt heard the technics but i bet in a couple of months youll have enough greenage to buy a used planet 2000 for around 750.00 as well as many others. ®
The Cambridge Audio D500 ($420, usually) is great in that price range. It is well built, reliable and has a warm, musical sound. It's sound is comparable to that of the Rega Planet, perhaps a bit weaker in the bass and mellower in the high frequencies--with CD's this is probably a good trade-off. It is by far the least digital sounding CD player I have heard for under $1000. I have been using my D500 as a transport for a long time now with good results.
I recommend the Dan Wright modified Pioneer DV-333 for a total cost of about $475. I had mine modded and got it back a couple days ago, and it sounds excellent indeed. The DV-333 modified would be able to hold it's own against other cd players in a similar or even considerably higher price range quite easily IMHO. I'm really impressed with the results. Haven't watched a dvd yet but the video should benefit from the mods as well. He can be reached at modwright@yahoo.com. Good luck.
Rich
Ok, I guess you guys need more info:My listening preference is acoustic jazz (50's and 60's RVG) and classical music (I only listen to rock while in the car).
The current gear is Carver TMF-35X 700 watts amp, Carver CT-23 Preamp, Bohlender-Graebener 420DX ribbons, and coming soon ... REL Strata III sub. Being replaced is a Carver 360 CD changer. I have no interest in Home Theatre and no interest in a CD Changer.
Initially, I was looking towards a Rega Planet 2000 until my wife learned the price. Finally we agreed $500 is the max. I am hoping to give some sort of life to my CD's. I am willing to consider used but right now the machine with DVD-Audio for $399 looks very good.
More thoughts please.
Try the Samsung DVD 709/710. Great out of the box and even better with a few mods. Also only $169. at target! Good Luck, bobwire
because you've told us nothing about your system or listening preferences.Nevertheless, you should consider the used market if you're looking for CD players at this price. I have seen used first-generation Rega Planets offered in your price range. While the player is not the last word in transparency and detail, it's very musical and listenable.
Of course, if you want a multi-function player (DVD's etc.) new is the only game in town.
Secrets of Home Theater and Hifi (www.homtheaterhifi.com) has a number of rather detailed reviews of multifunction DVD players. You might take a look. At the price of new stuff, you're looking at pretty cheap electronics.
Stan Warren mods Pioneer dv-333 with results that people rave about, comparing the modded player to players in the $2500 range. I haven't heard one myself, but I did just send my dv-333 off to Stan based on what people have said here (look in the archives).
dv333 $200 + stan warren mods $250 = about 475 with shipping and tax = best cd player under 500 that I'm aware of, and will also play DVDs. Good luck.
Dan Wright also mods these and you could check out peoples responses in the archives too.
It is true. If you want proof you have an open invite to hear it in my room if you're ever in Cincinnati.Tim
Thanks Tim, but I don't expect to visit Cincinatti in the foreseeable future. I would be interested to hear which CD players you've compared to the modified DVD player in your own system though.I've read DVD group tests in three credible magazines, Hi-Fi Choice, Hi-Fi News and Hi-Fi World. In each case, the verdict was the same. DVD players don't sound as good playing 16/44 as comparably priced CD-only players. My Toshiba SD-1200 is unimpressive on CD.
Yes, I know, your player is modified, and I don't doubt it's better than stock. But I have no way of telling how much better. Please forgive me if I question the claims of owners. Just read a review of anything at AR to see my point. Highly suspect to say the least.
There's been a ton of hype about lots of things on this site (e.g. DVD for CD replay, DVD players as CD transports, upsampling) It's a good idea to remain skeptical, since all of these have been challenged by experienced listeners with personal experiences to share.
Dan Bonhomme
Check out Marantz CDPs. I think they make pretty good machines for the price and they will play CD-RW. My wife demanded a changer, so it fit the bill. I am only playing conventional CDs and I am getting a DAC, though the machine (CC-4000) sounds good on its own.
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