Expensive CD players - worth it?

Evening all.
I do realise I only ever post here to wang on about my Mark Levinson 390S but you have to admit at least it's definitely appropriate this time.
I can't speak for any other spendy disc spinner but for me the value is clear and evident with this unit. It's different.
From the wafer thin, solid aluminium machined drawer and heft of the remote control to the sound quality offered this has been a buy like no other and given the joy it's brought for over a decade now could be considered something of a bargain.
Unfortunately it now skips discs horrendously and has been permanently retired, replaced by a lovely but slightly inferior TEAC 701.
It still sounds mighty fine as a DAC/Pre mind, which is something in itself.
Build quality aside, the one thing that never failed to astonish and that the TEAC certainly can't replicate is the way in which the volume increases when the button is pressed.
Hard to describe what I mean here, but unlike any other player I've ever heard the sound doesn't exactly get louder, it swells like a balloon, a 3D wave, unfazed, relaxed and in complete control even at window rattling levels. The change is smooth as silk and there's no "bit too quiet, bit too loud" here. The perfect level can be delivered at all times.
Added to that the TEAC has a tiny edge, a minute harshness in comparison which actually works in it's favour when listening to low fi music as it adds a real thrill to bands like the Clash, Hookworms, Queens Of The Stone Age, but if you're in the mood for a sophisticated listen it's the Levinson all night long.
It's definitely on the warm side so wouldn't be everyone's ideal but if the question is Expensive Player, Worth It ? I can say categorically that in the case of the 390S it's a Yes.

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Originally Posted by Stranraer

Evening all.
I do realise I only ever post here to wang on about my Mark Levinson 390S but you have to admit at least it's definitely appropriate this time.
I can't speak for any other spendy disc spinner but for me the value is clear and evident with this unit. It's different.
From the wafer thin, solid aluminium machined drawer and heft of the remote control to the sound quality offered this has been a buy like no other and given the joy it's brought for over a decade now could be considered something of a bargain.
Unfortunately it now skips discs horrendously and has been permanently retired, replaced by a lovely but slightly inferior TEAC 701.
It still sounds mighty fine as a DAC/Pre mind, which is something in itself.
Build quality aside, the one thing that never failed to astonish and that the TEAC certainly can't replicate is the way in which the volume increases when the button is pressed.
Hard to describe what I mean here, but unlike any other player I've ever heard the sound doesn't exactly get louder, it swells like a balloon, a 3D wave, unfazed, relaxed and in complete control even at window rattling levels. The change is smooth as silk and there's no "bit too quiet, bit too loud" here. The perfect level can be delivered at all times.
Added to that the TEAC has a tiny edge, a minute harshness in comparison which actually works in it's favour when listening to low fi music as it adds a real thrill to bands like the Clash, Hookworms, Queens Of The Stone Age, but if you're in the mood for a sophisticated listen it's the Levinson all night long.
It's definitely on the warm side so wouldn't be everyone's ideal but if the question is Expensive Player, Worth It ? I can say categorically that in the case of the 390S it's a Yes.

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Have you not considered something like this? You never know, it might work. Worth a go on a quality player like the Levinson. If it can't be done then that just strengthens the case for avoiding expensive players.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/287628203...Bk9SR7T_wZCqaA

That is an inferior replacement: nothing like as substantial as the original Philips industrial standard disc reader.

:doh: I did not know that. So I suppose you would have to contact the manufacturer for a genuine part. If they couldn't help would that mean the end for the player? That would be a crying shame.

I'm not saying the disc reader you show wouldn't work, just that it is not as substantial and rugged as the original.

Contacting Madrigal, who took over Mark Levinson won't be of much help either, as Madrigal are not interesting in supporting older ML designs. In a word Madrigal are a fucking useless company to deal with, and I for one will never buy anything from them again.

The 390s is also preamplifier and DAC and has digital inputs so could be used that way with any CD player that has a digital output used as a transport into it.

The only difference I can see is that the transport CD player might not be as good at reading damaged discs as the Levinson but damaged discs are rarely a problem and most can be replaced for a few quid. Otherwise the sound should be identical to using the Levinson as an all in one unit.

As far as cost goes the 390s came out in 2004 so over 20 years of use isn't bad. I doubt cheap CD players being made now will match that longevity or even come close. Of course it depends how often you use it.

The more substantially built transport will be the best sounding one. These things make a difference:)

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Marco

The more substantially built transport will be the best sounding one. These things make a difference:)

Marco.

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Can't agree, it's a digital signal, the transport has to very poor or faulty not to output that perfectly.

[QUOTE=Pigmy Pony;1413953]Have you not considered something like this? You never know, it might work. Worth a go on a quality player like the Levinson. If it can't be done then that just strengthens the case for avoiding expensive players.

Thanks Pigmy.
I did have a browse at options but as Barry says, it's not original so I was wary of replacement parts.
Plus, considering the age of the unit at what point do I bail ? It's bound to die at some point and I had already spent a few hundred to fix a previous fault and have it recapped back during lockdown.
Macca notes that the unit has digital inputs and I have been running it as a DAC/Pre with an Audiolab 6000 as transport which sounded lovely but I felt it was time to move on, especially as I was so taken with reports and reviews of the TEAC which I got at a cracking price and am very happy with.
So one box less, newer technology, and hopefully a good few years of trouble free listening.
I think I posted at the time, it feels like I've traded a tired old Bentley for a brand new Tesla.

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Originally Posted by Macca

As far as cost goes the 390s came out in 2004 so over 20 years of use isn't bad. I doubt cheap CD players being made now will match that longevity or even come close. Of course it depends how often you use it.

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Must admit, it's been unplugged since the sun came out back in May but that'll change with Winter coming. Then it'll be getting more use than andrew windsor's lawyer !
As you know yourself, the TEAC is built like a tank and the brand has a reputation as a studio workhorse so fingers crossed it'll be seeing me out.