Looking for a decent but inexpensive CD player (1 Viewer)

[Jonny K]

I need a CD player. It doesn't matter if it's one-CD or multiple-CD capable. I just want something of decent quality for a value price - around $200-$250 Canadian ($150-$200 US). I don't think fancy high-def features like DVD-Audio and SACD matter that much to me, but if I can get it, great. My current CD changer is a really crappy RCA base model which died very quickly.


Thanks.

 

[Andrew Pratt]

Here's some to consider

Cambridge Audio CD6

HK 5 disk changer

Sony CD Jukebox

another Cambridge player

Rotel CD player

Pioneer Universal DVD/DVD-A/SACD/CD player

Of those I own the Sony CD jukebox and its been very reliable for me. Its internal DAC's are horrible so you'll want to use a digital connection where possible. If you're looking at the cheaper single discs the cambridge or Rotel would be solid buys.

 

[RobWil]

I'd consider the NAD C521i or a used C541. There is one of each on audiogon.com right now, a new 521i for $199 and a used C541 for $200 shipped.

 

[Garrett Lundy]

I'll sell you my C521i for $200. I want the money to buy a player with HDCD capabilities

 

[Jonny K]

Ok, I did a little more looking. To buy the cheapest NAD CD player new here in Calgary would cost me 450 Canadian dollars.

There is a company by the name of "DMC Electronics" selling the NAD C521i (new) for 200 US (plus shipping). After exchange and shipping, it will cost just under 300 Canadian.

There are several NAD players on e-bay, although most are super old. Here is one that caught my eye:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...826144644&rd=1

Hmmm...Garrett, do you really want to sell your player? See, it's looking as if the only way I can get a good player for around 250 is if I buy it used and have it shipped. But I'm wary of buying something from somebody I don't know who's across the continent, and then shipping it to me without even knowing if I'm getting what I paid for.

 

[RobWil]

I just ordered the C541i from www.saturdayaudio.com for $329 shipped.

 

[Jimi C]

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=384593

Do yourself a favor and dont buy a used cd player. You dont know how much life is left in it. Cd players have moving parts. That kenwood is nib with a warranty. Not to mention it has a $950 msrp, it will make a great dvd player, and it does DVD-A. Do a search for it on the forums. Back in the day there was alot of buzz about that player. It was the first one with the forujda deinterlacer. Im sure it can do the decent job your looking for with your cds, and without a doubt it will be an improvement over your broken rca.
thats what i would do at least.. sure its not a nad or a rotel, but it has a warranty.

 

[Jonny K]

Hmmm...let's say I could get a new NAD C521i for about the same price as that Kenwood. Would that be better?

https://dmc-electronics.com/Default.htm

(check under NAD specials)

 

[Andrew Pratt]

i'd take the NAD over the kenwood if CD's are a priority.