Which 5/6 disk CD changer to buy? (1 Viewer)

[Kevin Biller]

Can someone share there experiences/ feelings on what cd changer I should buy. I am wanting to upgrade my old MASH technics CD player.
I have looked at models from Integra and Denon. Denon uses the Burr-Brown DAC while Integra uses a Accupulse Quartz DAC. Which one is considered superior? Are there other models I should be considering, ie. Marantz, etc.
I currently own the Integra 7.1 receiver. I am leaning to a cd player analog's outs rather than using Digital outs and letting my receiver decode.

 

[Mark C.]

Hey, Kevin:
I highly recommend Marantz. I've owned the Marantz CC-67 5-disk changer for 1 1/2 years. It's great. Quiet tray, quick play feature, and there's not a lot of quiet time between tracks when on random. The CC-67 is the predecessor to the 3000 and 4000 models. I've owned Denon and Sony CD players/changers, and although either of those brands would be good buys in the under $300 category, they don't quite measure up to the Marantz IMHO.

 

[Kevin Biller]

Thanks for the recommendation Mark,
How do the DAC's in the Marantz compare to those in the Denon or Onkyo? From my travels as well, Marantz seems to be a very well respected CD manufacture.

 

[Seungsoo Hwang]

Im actually looking to change from a technics to a Denon myself. I have heard good things about the Denon DCM-370 as a budget mid-fi player. Also has a nice headphone jack.

 

[KeithH]

Kevin, one point you made requires clarification:

I am leaning to a cd player analog's outs rather than using Digital outs and letting my receiver decode.

If you use a CD player's analog outputs, you are using the player's DAC, not the receiver's. If you want to use the receiver's DAC, use a digital connection.
You have a number of good choices in the $250-400 USD range, including the Denon DCM-370, NAD 523, Marantz CC4000, Marantz CC4000OSE, Sony CDP-CA70ES, and Sony CDP-CA80ES. I have the Denon unit (sells for $250-300 at brick and mortar stores) and the Sony 'CA80ES (authorized dealers in the US such as Oade Bros. and J&R Music World sell it for under $400). Both are great players for the money. I haven't listened to the NAD or Marantz units, but they are well regarded. Marantz products are available fromwww.hifi.com (only authorized online Marantz dealer) and brick and mortar stores. I once saw the NAD 523 at a local dealer, but it wasn't connected to anything. The build quality, especially the carousel drawer, is impressive. Sound City in the US (1-800-370-3156) is an authorized mail-order NAD dealer and discounts.
For the money, I don't think you can go wrong with the Denon unit. One other player you ought to consider is the recently released Sony SCD-CE775 SACD/CD changer. Brick and mortar stores in the US are selling it for $350, but J&R Music World is selling it for $329 and Oade Bros. quoted me $325 delivered. This model plays both multi-channel and stereo SACDs as well as conventional CDs. The initial magazine and online user reviews I've seen on this player have been positive. Build quality is nothing spectacular, but about what one would expect for the price. Still, I would look into this player seriously before spending similar money on a CD-only changer. SACD is a significant improvement over CD. Initial reviews I've read of multi-channel SACD say it blows away DVD-Audio.
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[Kevin Biller]

Based on value, I am leaning towards either the Denon DCM-370 or the Sony SCD-CE775, for their dual ability to play another format other than just CD's. I think I will pass on the Integra b/c it is a CD only player, and I can't get a response from Onkyo on how its DAC compares to the Burr-Brown DAC.
I guess I need some guiding light to show me which format: HDCD or SACD will be more popular. I have seen HDCD already in my local area, but not SACD. Has anyone heard comparable recordings of each and which is better? It would be much simplier if someone would just make a player that played all formats. I guess there would be no reason to buy something new though.

 

[Mark C.]

Kevin:
I'm not a spec guy when it comes to the type of DACs used in hardware, but I know I prefer the analog connection from my Marantz over the digital connection to my Nakamichi AV-10 HT receiver. The analog connection (using the player's DAC) is much more fuller than the digital connection. Like I said before, Denon, Sony, Marantz, you really can't go wrong with any of these brands. I just know that my wife and I are really pleased with the performance of the Marantz. Good Luck.