Looking for a good used CD Player, which one?

[GPT]

Hello,

My current system consists of:

Denon DCD-825 CD player
Cambridge Audio Arctic interconnects
Denon PMA-255UK Integrated Amplifier
Biwired with Gale 315 to
Mission 702e floorstanders

All in all a lowish end but good sounding set up.

I'm currently having a problem in that one of the CD Player's outputs has a dodgy connection and I have to wiggle the interconnect in order to get it working.

So I'm looking for a good quality replacement CD Player to fit in with the rest of my system. As I don't use this particular system all that much I don't want to spend a lot on it so have been looking for a good condition used player and have been trawling Ebay looking for something around the £40-50 mark.

Does anyone have any ideas at this price? I used to know my stuff but that was a long time ago and I no longer have much of a clue what to look at.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

p.s. My other thought was to use a standalone DAC as the player has optical out but these seem hard to come by in my price range (apart from this: http://www.richersounds.com/product/tv-accessories...

[Chimpy Chompies]

Hi there. I have a perfect condition, fully fuctioning and boxed Denon DCD-890 that is surplus to requirements. Got left behind on my never ending upgrade trail.
Includes the manual, remote and all the leads. Really nice player in its day.

Can take some pics if you are interested.

[FlossyThePig]

GPT said:

I'm currently having a problem in that one of the CD Player's outputs has a dodgy connection and I have to wiggle the interconnect in order to get it working.

Are you sure it is the CD player that has the fault and not the interconnect?

[GPT]

FlossyThePig said:

GPT said:

I'm currently having a problem in that one of the CD Player's outputs has a dodgy connection and I have to wiggle the interconnect in order to get it working.

Are you sure it is the CD player that has the fault and not the interconnect?

Yes, the problem was caused by an old interconnect that fused itself to the output and had to be "sawn off", unfortunately this must have damaged the output internally.

I may have a go with the soldering iron later.

[GPT]

Chimpy Chompies said:

Hi there. I have a perfect condition, fully fuctioning and boxed Denon DCD-890 that is surplus to requirements. Got left behind on my never ending upgrade trail.
Includes the manual, remote and all the leads. Really nice player in its day.

Can take some pics if you are interested.

Thanks for the response, do you know anything about where the 890 would have sat in the range compared to the 825? Also whether it is a mroe recent player or an older one? I have already spent too long trying to decipher Denon model numbers in the past and know that it isn't as straight forward as you'd hope.

[Chimpy Chompies]

Appearance wise it looks almost identical to yours in styling. So I would guess very similar era, as for where it sits on th eladder.
Dont quote me on this, but I thought the higher the number the further up the range for a given piece of equipment. It has the 20bit super linear convertor, optical out and some other stuff, I can look tonight in the manual and report back to you.

I bought it in preference to a Marantz CD52 Mk2, if that helps you position it in a pigeon hole.

[GPT]

Chimpy Chompies said:

Appearance wise it looks almost identical to yours in styling. So I would guess very similar era, as for where it sits on th eladder.
Dont quote me on this, but I thought the higher the number the further up the range for a given piece of equipment. It has the 20bit super linear convertor, optical out and some other stuff, I can look tonight in the manual and report back to you.

I bought it in preference to a Marantz CD52 Mk2, if that helps you position it in a pigeon hole.

Thanks for the offer but after reading up a bit it seems DAC technology has come on a bit in the last 20 years (who'd have thought?). I think I'm going to up the budget and go for something from the last 10 years.

If anyone has any recommendations up to about £100 please let me know.

[telecat]

If were you I'd trawl around for a Multi-format Player. The Denon DVD-2800 for example was £750-£1000 new. You can pick one up for £50 to £100 at the moment. They play CD's at the level of a £250 player and if you get hold of DVD-Audio or SACD the replay quality is that much better.

[Digger]

GPT, I have an Arcam Alpha 8SE looking for a good home.

[kazste]

telecat said:

If were you I'd trawl around for a Multi-format Player. The Denon DVD-2800 for example was £750-£1000 new. You can pick one up for £50 to £100 at the moment. They play CD's at the level of a £250 player and if you get hold of DVD-Audio or SACD the replay quality is that much better.

Is this correct? Reason I ask is that I have one which.was about to go to the scrap heap heaven, as I know have a blueray player which is better at dvds than the demon plus it has now started only playing in black and white. Currently only have a technical cd player so should be a good upgrade if correct.

[telecat]

kazste said:

telecat said:

If were you I'd trawl around for a Multi-format Player. The Denon DVD-2800 for example was £750-£1000 new. You can pick one up for £50 to £100 at the moment. They play CD's at the level of a £250 player and if you get hold of DVD-Audio or SACD the replay quality is that much better.

Is this correct? Reason I ask is that I have one which.was about to go to the scrap heap heaven, as I know have a blueray player which is better at dvds than the demon plus it has now started only playing in black and white. Currently only have a technical cd player so should be a good upgrade if correct.

I'd check it isn't trying to Output S-Video or NTSC on the Menu. As for the Player. It is a good unit and unlike "Most" BD players will handle SACD and DVD-Audio. SACD is still out there especially in the Classical market and 24-bit files can be "burnt" to DVD's using DVD-Audio Solo for example, as well as the commercial Disc's from such as Sting and the Police, Simple Minds, etc. The BD player will be able to play CD and BD Music discs which if in Stereo should also be High Band 24 bit.

Edited by telecat on Monday 13th December 23:41

[Pothole]

PS One?

[Freaknout]

GPT said:

If anyone has any recommendations up to about £100 please let me know.

Hi GPT

Do a google search for a Beresford DAC. I have one upstairs with an iMac, Naim Nait 5i and Royd speakers. Does very well for just over £100.

J

[BiggusLaddus]

Pothole said:

PS One?

I've heard of that before, but ever seen it tried. Isn't it only a small range of early PS' that it applies to?