View Full Version : CD Player-Recommendations for a friend.
southall-1998
18-08-2013, 21:44
I'm asking this on behalf of my friend that has no internet access!
He's looking for a CD player that sounds good just as a '''stand alone''' player. He doesn't want separate transport & dac nonsense please!!
His budget- £200-450. Second hand more like it!!
His amp is an Exposure X integrated, another '''John Farlowe''' era amp. His speakers are the same as mines, Mordaunt Short Pageant series II--Recommendation from me because they are good speakers.
Music is not an issue as he listens to all sorts.
Thanks gang!
Rare Bird
18-08-2013, 21:49
One less than £100.00 s/h that's a superb sounding machine Sony 'XB930E UK Special Edition..Fixed lazer mech, you'll never want to go back to a standard tray machine again..
Andrew B
18-08-2013, 22:07
Naim CDI without a doubt for me ;)
£400-450 is possible if he's resourceful and patient. A CD3 or 3.5 would be a cheaper alternative but just not in the same league AFAIC
Andrew B
18-08-2013, 22:07
Naim CDI without a doubt for me ;)
£400-450 is possible if he's resourceful and patient. A CD3 or 3.5 would be a cheaper alternative but just not in the same league AFAIC
Sorry, it's not an echo. Internet is playing up over here :)
southall-1998
18-08-2013, 22:11
Naim CDI without a doubt for me ;)
£400-450 is possible if he's resourceful and patient. A CD3 or 3.5 would be a cheaper alternative but just not in the same league AFAIC
Sorry, it's not an echo. Internet is playing up over here :)
What's the 3.5 like? Never heard one myself !!
Andrew B
18-08-2013, 22:30
It's good on its own. As good as. CD3, but if you stick a naim PSU up its bum, it suddenly gets so much more oomph and boogie. Your mate would likely end up with another box.
southall-1998
18-08-2013, 22:35
It's good on its own. As good as. CD3, but if you stick a naim PSU up its bum, it suddenly gets so much more oomph and boogie. Your mate would likely end up with another box.
Na, my mate can't be arsed with having another box!!
Andrew B
18-08-2013, 22:42
I'm the same. I've never had both at the same time, but I'm sure the CDI would still easily better a 3.5 with a PSU. Just more gravitas and just so right. I'd have another one myself but I'm really on the lookout for a CDS. Only heard at a dealers but man, was it good!
Not to be rude but a CDI maybe a little bit of overkill in that system and would likely drive him to want to upgrade sooner than he'd have expected... Certainly did in my case :D... Maybe worth looking for a Naim CD3 or 3.5 although IMHO the 3 sounded better!
Pitty you've sold your Meridian 206 Shane. That would have been a fine player for your friends system!
Not to be rude but a CDI maybe a little bit of overkill in that system and would likely drive him to want to upgrade sooner than he'd have expected... Certainly did in my case :D... Maybe worth looking for a Naim CD3 or 3.5 although IMHO the 3 sounded better!
Pitty you've sold your Meridian 206 Shane. That would have been a fine player for your friends system!
Shane does what Shane does, replacing really good gear with tat and then selling on again :lol:
Paul, where on this god given earth do you get your audio opinions from? A CD-I will work well in ANY system and although I found the Exposure amp rather harsh when clipped, it's OK at lower levels and the Pageant II's were great fun and despite being from the late 70's and a bit dated because of it (they're three way where today a two way could easily be done and was later with the superb MS20's), they sound very clear and involving.
Do please note that a CD-I is a good sounding player with some weight to the presentation, but the performance behind the Naim output stage 'flavour' can easily be equalled and probably bettered by cheapo DAC's available for under £100 these days. Remember that Naim have always worked on a humungous profit markup, twice that of Rega for example, so your player really should have been a needlessly quirky mchine for a grand or less when new, rather than £2k as it once was. I'd still rather have it to an early CD3 or CD5 machine I think, but these were being fast outclassed by then anyway :)
southall-1998
19-08-2013, 14:17
Shane does what Shane does, replacing really good gear with tat and then selling on again :lol:
Paul, where on this god given earth do you get your audio opinions from? A CD-I will work well in ANY system and although I found the Exposure amp rather harsh when clipped, it's OK at lower levels and the Pageant II's were great fun and despite being from the late 70's and a bit dated because of it (they're three way where today a two way could easily be done and was later with the superb MS20's), they sound very clear and involving.
Do please note that a CD-I is a good sounding player with some weight to the presentation, but the performance behind the Naim output stage 'flavour' can easily be equalled and probably bettered by cheapo DAC's available for under £100 these days. Remember that Naim have always worked on a humungous profit markup, twice that of Rega for example, so your player really should have been a needlessly quirky mchine for a grand or less when new, rather than £2k as it once was. I'd still rather have it to an early CD3 or CD5 machine I think, but these were being fast outclassed by then anyway :)
Twat!
The Grand Wazoo
19-08-2013, 18:06
Shane does what Shane does, replacing really good gear with tat and then selling on again
Twat!
Oi, you two!
Rare Bird
19-08-2013, 18:09
:lol:
Not for the first time, the goings on with the Subjectivists being an example, have I thought that there is potential for one of those quirky small British films like Brassed Off or Full Monty based on the nonsense that sometimes surrounds the eccentricities of hi-fi enthusiasts.
Not for the first time, the goings on with the Subjectivists being an example, have I thought that there is potential for one of those quirky small British films like Brassed Off or Full Monty based on the nonsense that sometimes surrounds the eccentricities of hi-fi enthusiasts.
Oh yes, and it would have to be a comedy perhaps starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost :lol:
It would reach an hilarious climax at one of the shows where no-one would admit that anyone else's system was any good.
Paul, where on this god given earth do you get your audio opinions from?
That's not very nice Dave. Had you read my post you'd have noticed that I was in fact complementing the CDI. It is a damn good machine and my assumption was that it'd entice Shane's friend to upgrade the rest of his system quicker than he'd have first thought although the Exposure amp he has is damned good. Now onto your comment about the output stage. I know you're not a fan of Naim but I think it's a little unreasonable to expect a £100 DAC to sound as good a Philips-TDA1541 DAC is a bit of an oversell!
Paul.
I'm actually really interested in this...
Handbags away, what other ideas do people have?
Arcam? Sony? Oppo?
Rare Bird
19-08-2013, 23:12
I thought the Arcam 'CD72' was a nice sounding player..
what other ideas do people have?
I kind of like Pioneer Stable Platters (& I've a Quad 77 that sounds ok)
I thought the Arcam 'CD72' was a nice sounding player..
It is indeed and not too expensive on the used market either ;)
walpurgis
19-08-2013, 23:17
Here's a suggestion.
A NAD 524, not well known really, but a very good sounding and nicely made player for not a lot of money second hand. I had one years ago and was impressed. I bought it because of the very positive reviews at the time. One to look out for.
southall-1998
19-08-2013, 23:18
Here's a suggestion.
A NAD 524, not well known really, but a very good sounding and nicely made player for not a lot of money second hand. I had one years ago and was impressed. I bought it because of the very positive reviews at the time. One to look out for.
Thanks, will pass that one on to my friend.
walpurgis
19-08-2013, 23:20
I know somebody who has a mint example. Don't know if he'd sell it though, but he doesn't use it. I could ask.
Rare Bird
19-08-2013, 23:24
Do you mean a '542' Geoff?
walpurgis
19-08-2013, 23:34
Do you mean a '542' Geoff?
No, it's a 524. As I said, it's not common.
http://i40.tinypic.com/akvjn8.jpg
southall-1998
19-08-2013, 23:35
YES, listen to master Geoff, Rare Bird :ner:
No, it's a 524. As I said, it's not common.
http://i40.tinypic.com/akvjn8.jpg
My CD72 replaced a 524. I find the CD72 to be a far better sounding CDP to my ears...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/MySystem3.jpg
Rare Bird
19-08-2013, 23:57
No, it's a 524. As I said, it's not common.
I say '542' as i used one for a month or so, it had HDCD decoder onboard, sounded nice till i dropped on a Cambridge Audio 'S700' Isomagic HDCD DAC come isolation i could use with the Sony.. I still have my HDCD Yes & King Crimson CDee's..
Rare Bird
20-08-2013, 00:04
My CD72 replaced a 524. I find the CD72 to be a far better sounding CDP to my ears...
Ive had a 'CD72T' aswell, had it upgraded to 'CD92' ..I had a thing about HDCD at that time..
Often thought about upgrading mine but unsure as to whether it would be possible now, or even worth the effort. It sounds bloody good as is...
I say '542' as i used one for a month or so, it had HDCD decoder onboard, sounded nice till i dropped on a Cambridge Audio 'S700' Isomagic HDCD DAC come isolation i could use with the Sony.. I still have my HDCD Yes & King Crimson CDee's..
I still have an Isomagic, I used to use it clock locked with the Cambridge Audio Discmagic transport but my Rega DAC blew it away. I'm still using the Discmagic. HDCD never took off did it?
walpurgis
20-08-2013, 09:57
I had various Cambridge DACs including the Isomagic until I bought a Theta Cobalt, then there was no going back, the Cobalt was vastly superior. Since then I upgraded to the Theta Chroma and currently have a Theta DS Pro Progeny, but mainly use my Monarchy Audio M22B.
Have you seen this one Shane?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?27391-For-sale-Nad-C-521-bBEE-cd-player
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