Four sub-£400 old timers for your consideration

[orbscure]

I know how subjective it can be when passing comment on CD players, especially when they are the older players still around and available... but I currently have around £400 to spend/burning a hole in my pocket and I really can't help myself, so I've lined up these four players and would welcome your comments as to which would be the best option:

Creek CD60
Linn Mimik
NAIM CD3.5
Audiolab 8000CDM & 8000DAC (being sold together)

I am, of course, open to suggestions for other older machines to look out for and which fall within the £400 budget... and for the record, I currently have a Merdian 206 or a Pioneer PD-S904, both of which take turns in being piped through a Music Fidelity V90-DAC... so I'm hoping that one of the players above can improve on either of these players...

Cheers
Pete

[Stubies]

Pete

Also, there was recent similar thread, many of the players you list are commented on, it may help:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?27340-WTB-CD-Player

Stu

[orbscure]

Thanks Stu, I did see that but didn't want to hijack another thread :)

Cheers
Pete

[lovejoy]

Which version of the Meridian 206 do you have? I really liked the original, but found that once it got to the 20-bit version it became a bit sterile to my ears. What are you looking for in terms of sound quality - Something a bit more warm and analogue like? If so, from your list I would probably choose the Naim over the others, although the Linn Mimik is quite a nice sounding player too.

If you're open to a bit more of a project though and fancy a bit of modding then that throws things wide open for you. Either that or pick yourself up an Arcam Alpha 5 and get it modded by Avondale. The good thing about the Alpha 5s is that you can still get transports for them if need be and they are easily serviceable - unlike the Naims and Linns. A modded Alpha 5 to this day is still one of the most enjoyable CD players I've ever heard at any level (I wasn't a big fan of the unmodded version).

If you really are up for a bit of DIY modding then you can't do any better than picking yourself up a classic Marantz player. There are loads of instructions around the web on modding the hell out of them. I had a lot of fun with one I picked up from a car boot sale for £7, spent about £30 on parts to mod it with, spent a few nights tinkering and at the end of it had a player that gave my Audiolab CDQ a run for its money. In fact, in terms of out and out musicality, I'd say the Marantz won.

[RichB]

Agreed about the old Marantz players. I have a CD 63 which I've cleaned up the sticky transport, added a new mains cable and dampened the transport and case. I don't intend making any changes to the electronics as I really enjoy the sound it makes on its own, as such I don't even run it through my DAC. It gets used almost daily.

[Stubies]

very interesting about the upgrads.

The avondale audio site does not seem to be working: http://avondaleaudio.com/

I did find this however, its cheaper at 99 gbp (i read somewhere the avondale update is 350): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NET-Audio-Arcam-Alpha-5-Upgrade-Kit-/170444761112?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item27af4ca818

Any links for the marantz upgrade description?

Thanks!



Which version of the Meridian 206 do you have? I really liked the original, but found that once it got to the 20-bit version it became a bit sterile to my ears. What are you looking for in terms of sound quality - Something a bit more warm and analogue like? If so, from your list I would probably choose the Naim over the others, although the Linn Mimik is quite a nice sounding player too.

If you're open to a bit more of a project though and fancy a bit of modding then that throws things wide open for you. Either that or pick yourself up an Arcam Alpha 5 and get it modded by Avondale. The good thing about the Alpha 5s is that you can still get transports for them if need be and they are easily serviceable - unlike the Naims and Linns. A modded Alpha 5 to this day is still one of the most enjoyable CD players I've ever heard at any level (I wasn't a big fan of the unmodded version).

If you really are up for a bit of DIY modding then you can't do any better than picking yourself up a classic Marantz player. There are loads of instructions around the web on modding the hell out of them. I had a lot of fun with one I picked up from a car boot sale for £7, spent about £30 on parts to mod it with, spent a few nights tinkering and at the end of it had a player that gave my Audiolab CDQ a run for its money. In fact, in terms of out and out musicality, I'd say the Marantz won.

[orbscure]

Many thanks for the feedback chaps :)

I hadn't thought about the external modding or self modding paths, albeit, I would possibly explore that at a later date.

With regards my Meridian 206, I'm not sure what model I have - what is the best way to determin if its a pre/post 20-bit version?

The Creek player has gone so isn't part of the equation now... but is the Audiolab player/combination (at £300) not on a par with the Naim/Linn options?

Cheers
Pete

[Stubies]

Oops, that might have been me pete. :o

I took Andrews recommendation and just bought it - I may still get a couple others for the bakeoff!


Many thanks for the feedback chaps :)


The Creek player has gone so isn't part of the equation now... but is the Audiolab player/combination (at £300) not on a par with the Naim/Linn options?

Pete

[orbscure]

:) Ha ha... now worries Stu... to be honest, I saw it listed as a result of your thread anyway, so no hard feelings! Please do keep us updated with how it sounds though...

I'm really torn between the three other units... perhaps the Audiolab has tickled my fancy given the two boxes and what I percieve as good value cost...

[lovejoy]

I guess you've probably got the original (and IMO the best) version of the 506 as the later ones would have read 506.20 and 506.24 on the front fascia. It's been quite a few years since I heard them for myself now but I don't think there was really a lot of difference in presentation between the Audiolab transport and DAC and the Meridian. I love the build quality of the Meridian though. The Linn and Naim will be a departure from what you are used to. Personally I'm a massive fan of the old 1541 DAC chips as used by the likes of Naim and Arcam. To me there was nothing quite like - and there's not really been anything since, that gives a sense of depth and warmth to digital that makes it so engaging and easy to listen to for hours on end. If you're a vinyl fan then you're going to like a good player with a 1541 DAC or one of its siblings.

[lovejoy]

very interesting about the upgrads.

I did find this however, its cheaper at 99 gbp (i read somewhere the avondale update is 350): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NET-Audio-Arcam-Alpha-5-Upgrade-Kit-/170444761112?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item27af4ca818

Any links for the marantz upgrade description?

Thanks!

That does look like a very good deal. I'm not sure about the NOS mods, but these are reversible so you can always try with or without.

In terms of modding the CD-63 (or any of its derivatives, of which there were quite a few), I started with the Acoustica mods which brought about a good drop in the noise floor and brought out more detail and made the whole sound more involving:

http://www.acoustica.org.uk/t/63/63hacks.html

Then I trawled through the pages and pages of info on the diyaudio website and cherrypicked a handful of mods. Beware that this link will take you a LONG time to trawl though and can become quite addictive:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/54009-marantz-cd63-cd67-mods-list.html

Be warned - Over 1000 pages of posts - sheesh!

[pjdowns]

Buy the Naim. It's an excellent player although be aware that Naim are likely not to have spare mechanisms if it were to fail :)

[orbscure]

Thanks Paul... it appears to be a straight forward shoot out between the Naim NACD 3.5 and the Audiolab combination... unless others have their own suggestions :)

Pete

[stairpost]

If you are going for a Linn at that price look for a Karik (2 or 3). You shouldn't have a problem finding one in your budget.

Rich

[orbscure]

Thanks Rich... off to see if I can find a reasonably priced Karik II or III :)

Cheers
Pete

[orbscure]

Does it have to be Karik II or III? I'm finding what are listed as plain Karik CD players within my budget, but II and II's are coming in at £400+

To put the cat amongst the pigeons, my Meridian 206 arrived back today from an aborted attempt to repair its faulty display... and boy, in conjunction with the V90-DAC, what a rich and detailed sound it produces. It blows spots of my Pioneer PD-S904! Perhaps I don't have a need to experiment, especially when any improvement from a similar vintage machine may well be negligible...

[stairpost]

Does it have to be Karik II or III? I'm finding what are listed as plain Karik CD players within my budget, but II and II's are coming in at £400+


Hi,

It would need to be a 2 or 3 as the first Karik was a transport only with no DAC. They are actually usually just listed as Karik regardless of the version. I would be very surprised if the ones you have seen listed weren't 2's or 3's. Just ask to see a pic of the back as the the outputs will tell you if it is a 1. As will the serial number. If the seller is using it without a DAC it's definitely not the first version.

I paid £200 for my Karik 2 and do see them sub £300 from private sellers rather than dealers.

Good luck with your search. I hope you are happy with whatever you choose.

Rich.

[orbscure]

Thanks again Rich... actually the transport only variant is still an option, especially as I have an external DAC... so I might have a punt especially as at the £ I've found these listed at, it would be rude not to :)

Pete

[stairpost]

Thanks again Rich... actually the transport only variant is still an option, especially as I have an external DAC... so I might have a punt especially as at the £ I've found these listed at, it would be rude not to :)

Pete

Superb!

Let us know what you think when you get it.

Rich.