CD Player suggestions
Discussion
I'm looking for suggestions for a good quality CD player to add to the following (pretty old, but good) system -
Linn Sondek/Ittok/AT OC9
Musical Fidelity A120
Mission 700 Speakers
I've had this system for donkeys years and it sounds great on vinyl.
I've currently got a Technics CD player which I bought years ago when funds were tight, but the CD sound quality just doesn't cut it.
I also have a pair of Marantz LD 20 DMS speakers. Swapping these with the Missions makes CD's sound great but vinyl is much worse.
I'm currently auditioning a top end Marantz CD player (borrowed from a mate) but it doesn't even seem as good as my cheapo Technics.
I just missed a Linn CD player on an internet site which was so reasonably priced it would have been worth a punt anyway.
I listen to pretty much all musical genres.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Linn Sondek/Ittok/AT OC9
Musical Fidelity A120
Mission 700 Speakers
I've had this system for donkeys years and it sounds great on vinyl.
I've currently got a Technics CD player which I bought years ago when funds were tight, but the CD sound quality just doesn't cut it.
I also have a pair of Marantz LD 20 DMS speakers. Swapping these with the Missions makes CD's sound great but vinyl is much worse.
I'm currently auditioning a top end Marantz CD player (borrowed from a mate) but it doesn't even seem as good as my cheapo Technics.
I just missed a Linn CD player on an internet site which was so reasonably priced it would have been worth a punt anyway.
I listen to pretty much all musical genres.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Wow you swallowed the spend all your money on the front end arguement from the 80s!
My first speakers were Mission 700s , bought another pair for 99p a couple of years ago!
You don't say why you like Vinyl with the Missions and CD with your other speakers. Great idea to borrow a CD player, odd that the "high" end Marantz sounds worse than your budget player. What do you think of the system the Marantz came from?
When CD came out I much preferred the sound of my turntable but over the next 30 years my system has changed and does a great job with CD. Fortunately the changes have also made the turntable sound better too. My system is now much more detailed and musical than it ever was.
I bought a Chord Dac 64 many years ago and originally ran a Pioneer DVD-565A but recently bought a high end Denon DVD SACD to use as a transport. If your technics has a digital out , perhaps try DAC?
My first speakers were Mission 700s , bought another pair for 99p a couple of years ago!
You don't say why you like Vinyl with the Missions and CD with your other speakers. Great idea to borrow a CD player, odd that the "high" end Marantz sounds worse than your budget player. What do you think of the system the Marantz came from?
When CD came out I much preferred the sound of my turntable but over the next 30 years my system has changed and does a great job with CD. Fortunately the changes have also made the turntable sound better too. My system is now much more detailed and musical than it ever was.
I bought a Chord Dac 64 many years ago and originally ran a Pioneer DVD-565A but recently bought a high end Denon DVD SACD to use as a transport. If your technics has a digital out , perhaps try DAC?
Have you thought about ripping the CDs and playing them with your computer? Computer line-outs connect up to hifi amplifiers with just a cable. It's what I do. So much easier to build a playlist to suit a mood. The quality is upgradeable too, it's just a question of the soundcard - that's your DAC.
P700DEE said:
Wow you swallowed the spend all your money on the front end arguement from the 80s!
My first speakers were Mission 700s , bought another pair for 99p a couple of years ago!
You don't say why you like Vinyl with the Missions and CD with your other speakers. Great idea to borrow a CD player, odd that the "high" end Marantz sounds worse than your budget player. What do you think of the system the Marantz came from?
When CD came out I much preferred the sound of my turntable but over the next 30 years my system has changed and does a great job with CD. Fortunately the changes have also made the turntable sound better too. My system is now much more detailed and musical than it ever was.
I bought a Chord Dac 64 many years ago and originally ran a Pioneer DVD-565A but recently bought a high end Denon DVD SACD to use as a transport. If your technics has a digital out , perhaps try DAC?
Thanks for your reply! The spend was years ago - I've had this setup since my student days. Recent larger detached house has led to me rediscovering the joys of listening to music again. My first speakers were Mission 700s , bought another pair for 99p a couple of years ago!
You don't say why you like Vinyl with the Missions and CD with your other speakers. Great idea to borrow a CD player, odd that the "high" end Marantz sounds worse than your budget player. What do you think of the system the Marantz came from?
When CD came out I much preferred the sound of my turntable but over the next 30 years my system has changed and does a great job with CD. Fortunately the changes have also made the turntable sound better too. My system is now much more detailed and musical than it ever was.
I bought a Chord Dac 64 many years ago and originally ran a Pioneer DVD-565A but recently bought a high end Denon DVD SACD to use as a transport. If your technics has a digital out , perhaps try DAC?
Clarity/breadth of sound is the issue - vinyl via the Missions, cd via the Marantz speakers. Whole setup is on spiked stands with good (but not silly) interconnects and speaker cable.
Technics has no digital out. Was thinking along the lines of Linn, Naim, Cambridge Audio....
Budget is not a problem.
Marantz sound great on my friend's system - but it should - I believe his pre/power amp and speakers cost about €20.000!
Edited by sunbeam alpine on Tuesday 10th October 00:28
I have the following system:
MF A3.5 Amp
MF A3.5 CDP
Monitor Audio GS20
Chord Carnival Silverscreen speaker cables
Chord Crimson interconnects
I used to use a Cambridge Audio 650 CDP and I thought it sounded pretty good. Some tracks sounded better on the CA than the MF and vice versa. The 650 was about £300/350 new in 2010/11. Probably worth checking out a used one. I was so impressed with mine, I decided to keep it!
However, if budget isn't an issue then just go for a MF NuVista for starters.....
MF A3.5 Amp
MF A3.5 CDP
Monitor Audio GS20
Chord Carnival Silverscreen speaker cables
Chord Crimson interconnects
I used to use a Cambridge Audio 650 CDP and I thought it sounded pretty good. Some tracks sounded better on the CA than the MF and vice versa. The 650 was about £300/350 new in 2010/11. Probably worth checking out a used one. I was so impressed with mine, I decided to keep it!
However, if budget isn't an issue then just go for a MF NuVista for starters.....
sunbeam alpine said:
I'm looking for suggestions for a good quality CD player to add to the following (pretty old, but good) system -
Linn Sondek/Ittok/AT OC9
Musical Fidelity A120
Mission 700 Speakers
I've had this system for donkeys years and it sounds great on vinyl.
I've currently got a Technics CD player which I bought years ago when funds were tight, but the CD sound quality just doesn't cut it.
I also have a pair of Marantz LD 20 DMS speakers. Swapping these with the Missions makes CD's sound great but vinyl is much worse.
I'm currently auditioning a top end Marantz CD player (borrowed from a mate) but it doesn't even seem as good as my cheapo Technics.
I just missed a Linn CD player on an internet site which was so reasonably priced it would have been worth a punt anyway.
I listen to pretty much all musical genres.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Interesting.....which model of Technics CD do you have ? The ones from the early to mid 90s ( with Philips laser mechanisms ) are extremely good. The 'blind' listening panel on Hi-Fi choice mag often placed them higher than far more expensive Meridians, Quads, Arcams tested under the same conditions. If you have a 520A or a 620A then the CD source is fine. I have one of each and they are both very close indeed to the Wadia 301.Linn Sondek/Ittok/AT OC9
Musical Fidelity A120
Mission 700 Speakers
I've had this system for donkeys years and it sounds great on vinyl.
I've currently got a Technics CD player which I bought years ago when funds were tight, but the CD sound quality just doesn't cut it.
I also have a pair of Marantz LD 20 DMS speakers. Swapping these with the Missions makes CD's sound great but vinyl is much worse.
I'm currently auditioning a top end Marantz CD player (borrowed from a mate) but it doesn't even seem as good as my cheapo Technics.
I just missed a Linn CD player on an internet site which was so reasonably priced it would have been worth a punt anyway.
I listen to pretty much all musical genres.
Anyone have any suggestions?
I recall John Farlowe and the design team at Exposure tried to engineer the output stage of their first ever CD player to sound like high end vinyl. Might be worth seeing if there current players have the sound you're looking for.
The tricky part is that it may be hard to achieve CD and Vinyl results you're both happy with. Sounds like you'd be fairly happy if you're CD system was made up of components you already have ( MF amp, Marantz speakers and Technics CD ).
Where in the UK are you ? I have one of those original Exposure CD players. I was listening to it yesterday lunchtime and it sounds closer to vinyl than any other CD player I've heard.
otherman said:
Have you thought about ripping the CDs and playing them with your computer? Computer line-outs connect up to hifi amplifiers with just a cable. It's what I do. So much easier to build a playlist to suit a mood. The quality is upgradeable too, it's just a question of the soundcard - that's your DAC.
That would be way above my skill level! Crackie said:
Interesting.....which model of Technics CD do you have ? The ones from the early to mid 90s ( with Philips laser mechanisms ) are extremely good. The 'blind' listening panel on Hi-Fi choice mag often placed them higher than far more expensive Meridians, Quads, Arcams tested under the same conditions. If you have a 520A or a 620A then the CD source is fine. I have one of each and they are both very close indeed to the Wadia 301.
I recall John Farlowe and the design team at Exposure tried to engineer the output stage of their first ever CD player to sound like high end vinyl. Might be worth seeing if there current players have the sound you're looking for.
The tricky part is that it may be hard to achieve CD and Vinyl results you're both happy with. Sounds like you'd be fairly happy if you're CD system was made up of components you already have ( MF amp, Marantz speakers and Technics CD ).
Where in the UK are you ? I have one of those original Exposure CD players. I was listening to it yesterday lunchtime and it sounds closer to vinyl than any other CD player I've heard.
Just taken a look - it's a Technics SL-P200 - probably from the 80's. It's probably quite good for it's time - I bought the whole system from a friend who was a real audiophile. I recall John Farlowe and the design team at Exposure tried to engineer the output stage of their first ever CD player to sound like high end vinyl. Might be worth seeing if there current players have the sound you're looking for.
The tricky part is that it may be hard to achieve CD and Vinyl results you're both happy with. Sounds like you'd be fairly happy if you're CD system was made up of components you already have ( MF amp, Marantz speakers and Technics CD ).
Where in the UK are you ? I have one of those original Exposure CD players. I was listening to it yesterday lunchtime and it sounds closer to vinyl than any other CD player I've heard.
My ideal system would be a CD player that sounds as good as the Linn with the MF amp/Mission combination.
I'm currently living in Belgium, but still visit the UKregularly - mostly Oxford/Cambriidge/Bath areas.
Seems to me you're comparing a fairly decent vinyl front end with an aged 'ok for the time' CD player and, unsurprisingly, the cd is coming up a little short.
Might be a little difficult nowadays but find a good dealer who will allow home demos and try a few in your system using your CDs.
Alternatively, choose a budget, stick to it and go play on eBay with some excellent used players going for a fraction of original rrp.
Move on what doesn't suit and stop when you find something you're happy with.
I recently picked up a Marantz CD17 KI sig (not to be confused with the 63 and 67 models which were quite popular) - rrp £1300 (and it was competitive at that price), bought for £200.
I mention it because it has similar traits to my AR turntable - no edgy treble, full and lush in the mid and hard hitting at the bottom when the music requires.
Might be a little difficult nowadays but find a good dealer who will allow home demos and try a few in your system using your CDs.
Alternatively, choose a budget, stick to it and go play on eBay with some excellent used players going for a fraction of original rrp.
Move on what doesn't suit and stop when you find something you're happy with.
I recently picked up a Marantz CD17 KI sig (not to be confused with the 63 and 67 models which were quite popular) - rrp £1300 (and it was competitive at that price), bought for £200.
I mention it because it has similar traits to my AR turntable - no edgy treble, full and lush in the mid and hard hitting at the bottom when the music requires.
I went the DAC route myself. Meridian 200 Transport initially with a DPA PDM1 Series 3. Then a DPA SX128. Once DPA went down I stayed with Rob Watts and bought a Chord DAC64, I would try a Sony UHD1 and Chord 2Qute and see what you think. Second hand players can be pretty good but watch for on going suppport. My 200 if it went would be a problem as the parts are not available.
Monty Python said:
Marantz CD-61 KI-Signature - plenty on Ebay and it still sounds good today.
The one I'm currently testing is a Marantz CD52 mk 2. It's growing on me, but it lacks something. Sounds better playing louder (slightly louder than I prefer). The vinyl setup just has much more clarity at lower volume.I don't know whether there are any dealers over here who would go for home testing - plus I'm out in the sticks!
sunbeam alpine said:
The one I'm currently testing is a Marantz CD52 mk 2. It's growing on me, but it lacks something. Sounds better playing louder (slightly louder than I prefer). The vinyl setup just has much more clarity at lower volume.
I don't know whether there are any dealers over here who would go for home testing - plus I'm out in the sticks!
Something to try for free...I don't know whether there are any dealers over here who would go for home testing - plus I'm out in the sticks!
The MF is getting on a bit so try using the tuner or aux input for the CD player - rules out a dodgy cd input that might explain why a CD player sounds quieter than vinyl (it's normally the other way round).
legzr1 said:
sunbeam alpine said:
The one I'm currently testing is a Marantz CD52 mk 2. It's growing on me, but it lacks something. Sounds better playing louder (slightly louder than I prefer). The vinyl setup just has much more clarity at lower volume.
I don't know whether there are any dealers over here who would go for home testing - plus I'm out in the sticks!
Something to try for free...I don't know whether there are any dealers over here who would go for home testing - plus I'm out in the sticks!
The MF is getting on a bit so try using the tuner or aux input for the CD player - rules out a dodgy cd input that might explain why a CD player sounds quieter than vinyl (it's normally the other way round).
The CD player doesn't sound quieter than vinyl. What I was (trying to) say was that if I turn the volume up high when playing CD's, the clarity/sound quality seems to improve, but I end uplistening at a volume which I find a bit uncomfortable. Vinyl I can play with clarity over the whole volume range.
Hope this makes sense.
Yes.
Try it anyway.
You're nor far from the place so,e great old Phillips and Marantz players were designed and built - surprised there isn't somewhere selling a load of cracking old players.
9 series Phillips especially are worth tracking down (double crown DACS loved my many and featuring in multi thousand players)
Try it anyway.
You're nor far from the place so,e great old Phillips and Marantz players were designed and built - surprised there isn't somewhere selling a load of cracking old players.
9 series Phillips especially are worth tracking down (double crown DACS loved my many and featuring in multi thousand players)
The problem with all these CD players is that they're nearly 20 years old. DAC technology has moved on massively in that time. I'd get a CD player (and some better speakers) from the last ten.
If you want to go Linn, don't bother with the 90s Mimik. Go for an Akurate or a Majik, circa 2007 vintage. (Then get a Linn amp and speakers and get the Aktiv cards
)
Personally I've always liked the way Arcam CD players sound, I'm currently very satisfied with my CD192. The CD33 was the FMJ equivalent, which received very high praise indeed.
If you want to go Linn, don't bother with the 90s Mimik. Go for an Akurate or a Majik, circa 2007 vintage. (Then get a Linn amp and speakers and get the Aktiv cards
)Personally I've always liked the way Arcam CD players sound, I'm currently very satisfied with my CD192. The CD33 was the FMJ equivalent, which received very high praise indeed.
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