Second hand CD player, £100.
Discussion
We need a cheap (no more than £300) second hand CD player/amp speaker combo for a new summer house. Decided on the amp, getting a Rotel, always liked them, and the speakers, Mission 760i's or Kef Q15's, but a little stuck on the best CD player to go for.
I've had an Arcam Alpha 7 in a previous set up, and really loved it, but they're a little dearer than the budget. What may be a good purchase? A Marantz or NAD of some sort? Are Arcam Alpha 1's any good? Thanks in advance.
I've had an Arcam Alpha 7 in a previous set up, and really loved it, but they're a little dearer than the budget. What may be a good purchase? A Marantz or NAD of some sort? Are Arcam Alpha 1's any good? Thanks in advance.
If the 7 is what you liked then it's worth tracking one down in budget.
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If not already a member, join here and stick a wanted ad up - you might be surprised by the response:
http://www.hifiwigwam.com/forumdisplay.php?117-Pri...
Budget wise, is your ideal spend £100, and absolute maximum £300? There's a lot of very good second hand players between £200 and £300.
The Alpha One is really getting on now, and was very much at the budget end when new. If you liked the Alpha 7, have a look at a CD73 which, as you may have guessed from the name, was at the equivalent point in Arcam's range. They were very well reviewed at the time for a mid-range player.
If you wish to stretch a bit more, hold out for a CD192 like I did. It's still got the Arcam smoothness and warmth, but it's just a bit punchier and more exciting, especially compared to the CD92 I tried before it.
The Alpha One is really getting on now, and was very much at the budget end when new. If you liked the Alpha 7, have a look at a CD73 which, as you may have guessed from the name, was at the equivalent point in Arcam's range. They were very well reviewed at the time for a mid-range player.
If you wish to stretch a bit more, hold out for a CD192 like I did. It's still got the Arcam smoothness and warmth, but it's just a bit punchier and more exciting, especially compared to the CD92 I tried before it.
I rate the early 90's Technics players. I still have my old SL-PG520A and an SL-PS620A.
They both use Philips swing arm laser, have very low measured jitter and well engineered, low output impedance, output stages. Back in the day, both models achieved best sound in test, in the old hi-fi Choice magazines 'blind' listening tests. The listening panels thought they both sounded better than various Arcam Alphas, Musical Fidelitys, Meridian 206s, Rotel 965s, Missions, Marantz SEs and anything else up to £1100. I can understand why too, the £200 model 520A and £230 model 620A are both very close in performance to the Wadia 301 I'm using now. Wadia bass is on another level but there's next to nothing in it elsewhere.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-SL-PG520A-CD-pl...
They both use Philips swing arm laser, have very low measured jitter and well engineered, low output impedance, output stages. Back in the day, both models achieved best sound in test, in the old hi-fi Choice magazines 'blind' listening tests. The listening panels thought they both sounded better than various Arcam Alphas, Musical Fidelitys, Meridian 206s, Rotel 965s, Missions, Marantz SEs and anything else up to £1100. I can understand why too, the £200 model 520A and £230 model 620A are both very close in performance to the Wadia 301 I'm using now. Wadia bass is on another level but there's next to nothing in it elsewhere.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-SL-PG520A-CD-pl...
Edited by Crackie on Wednesday 22 June 08:04
legzr1 said:
I doubt it.
Small differences at best/worst..Try an Arcam 9SE with the DCS ringDAC if the 7 is found wanting.
With any luck Arcam will still offer the CD player upgrade if we want improvement. This said though it's only a small set up for a 8x8 summer house so I guess it shall be more than up to that task. Small differences at best/worst..Try an Arcam 9SE with the DCS ringDAC if the 7 is found wanting.
I think it will be fine, they're a good CD player IMHO.
I very much doubt you'll get a 7 upgraded to a 9se by Arcam - the reason they stopped production (if I remember correctly) was DCS pulling the licence for the ringDAC - they'd probably suggest an upgrade to an FMJ model which defeats the objective of good sound in a reasonably priced package.
Enjoy it
Years ago, I went with a mate to help source a decent little system - ended with a 7, an (original) Audiolab 8000A into some lovely little Ruark stand mounts - still going now and still sounding sweet as a nut.
I very much doubt you'll get a 7 upgraded to a 9se by Arcam - the reason they stopped production (if I remember correctly) was DCS pulling the licence for the ringDAC - they'd probably suggest an upgrade to an FMJ model which defeats the objective of good sound in a reasonably priced package.
Enjoy it
Years ago, I went with a mate to help source a decent little system - ended with a 7, an (original) Audiolab 8000A into some lovely little Ruark stand mounts - still going now and still sounding sweet as a nut.
MDMA . said:
bit late replying as just seen this. I have a spare Arcam Alpha 7 you can have cheap if you still looking for one. think it is a 7s. been boxed up for years.
You're a bit too late I'm afraid, already taken receipt of a 7SE. It was around £95, so suggest you accept no less than £80 if you put on ebay. Thanks anyways.
k the CD player, let's see the bike build? 
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