need CD player upgrade advise

[ohskigod]

I am mulling aroung my CD player situation. right now, i run a Toshiba 3960 unmodified. I'm actually happy with the performance over the Onkyo 6 disc carousel i used to have. but as i look at my 2 channel rig (see signature for details), i cant help but think that maybe that is where my next upgrade should be.

now here are the options.

a) find a quality player to replace it with, my budget would be sub 500 dollars, with a goal for bang for the buck.

b) Mod the Tosh


here is the problem with option B. i have no experience with a soldering iron, and i seem to be very hesitant to do so. I also seem to feel that shipping it out and paying someone else to do it might not be prudent. I mention this only because i know if i just asked for opinions on a good budget player in my price range, it would come up anyway.

Any ideas on a quality player in my price range? I was looking at the cambridge audio's, but there are very few audio shops by me for demos of quality stuff (the BB and CC's not withstanding).

any help from the gurus would be appreciated.

[tryrrthg]

Buy a used player then you can audition it in your system. If you don't like it, sell it!

Nice (used) CD players in your price range:

Arcam CD 72 or CD 73
Rotel RCD 1072, 1070, or 970 and 972, I believe
Original Rega Planet
NAD C 541 or 541i

Should keep you busy for a while! ;)

[steveinaz]

Cambridge Audio D500SE, Azur 640C, Music Hall MMF CD-25 would also be good choices.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the Tosh upgrades. But that is MY opinion.

[dkg999]

I've been very happy with my Cambridge Audio 640C. It did take a lot of hours to get the DAC smoothed out, but it is very sweet now!

[Early B.]

Choose both options. Get madmax to mod your Tosh for you. IMO, the modded Tosh sounds just as good as the Cambridge Audio 640C I used to own. In the meantime, save your money for a tube CD player like an Njoeb Tjoeb or Jolida.

[F1nut]

Originally posted by Early B.
In the meantime, save your money for a tube CD player like an Njoeb Tjoeb or Jolida.

BINGO!

[DAGLJAM6]

+1 more vote for the Jolida-excellent definition, responds well to tube rolling, plus you can still find deals if you're quick on Audiogon in the $650-700 range.

[danger boy]

a while back someone mentioned a AMC 8 ? anyone know anything about this.

[danger boy]

Originally posted by DAGLJAM6
+1 more vote for the Jolida-excellent definition, responds well to tube rolling, plus you can still find deals if you're quick on Audiogon in the $650-700 range.

does that price range qualify for a budget player? seems rather high to me.

[DAGLJAM6]

Allowing that the term "budget" signifies different values for different people sure the Jolida may be 20% higher than his max figure but if he's willing to spend say $450-500 on a cdp (and by all means there are great cd players in that price range) why not at least entertain the idea by others and save up the remaining $150
and get a player that, for not much more than you're budget, performs at a level far above a decent "average" cdp.:cool:

[pjdami]

Last count I have 5 cd players in the house including the Jolida. The Jolida is my favorite because you can alter the sound with tubes but it is a little pricey.

I also have a Rotel cd player and it sounds very good compared to the Jolida. The RCD02 would be something to check into at $499 new.

My brother has a 6 disk Onkyo and bought a Rotel RCD 1070 as an upgrade. You can hear the increased detail difference.

Audiogon used is a safe bet. If you don't like a player just turn around and sell it at the same price you paid. Easy way to get your demo on if you have no local dealers.

[scottnbnj]

Originally posted by ohskigod
I was looking at the cambridge audio's, but there are very few audio shops by me for demos of quality stuff (the BB and CC's not withstanding).
i don't know how far north you are, but the sound exchange in somerville is not too difficult to get to from 287. it's not a haute upscale place but they have a lot of excellent equipment and used stuff to rummage through.

i bought my cambridge 540d from them at the audioadvisor demo price without having to haggle. call and ask what players they have on hand before making the trip though, cause i don't think they had the whole ca line on display, but had others that would be worth researching before a long trip.

http://amazinghometheater.com/contact.asp

)

[F1nut]

Originally posted by danger boy
does that price range qualify for a budget player? seems rather high to me.

Al,

The price for a new one is $900, the $650-$700 range is for a used one. As Dave pointed out, the term budget means different things to different people. IMO, even at full list price it's a deal as the player performs at a higher level than it's price point, is built like a tank, upsamples and uses tubes in the output stage.

[danger boy]

Jesse,

I didn't know it was a tube CDP. that changes everything. I'd like to own a tube CDP some day. I've never head one.

[ohskigod]

thanks for the input, while i am still thinking of a game plan, everyones thoughts puts more detail into my options.

hey scottnbnj, i'll check that place out. not terribly far from me.

[ckpiv]

I just picked up a Rotel RCD-1072 on ebay for $536. It only had approximatly 20 hours of use. I replaced an old Sony carrosel unit and the sound difference is amazing. Very detailed, good sound stage and great bass response. I would look into finding this unit in your price range.

[2+2]

Deals can be out there....I got my Music Hall for $300 which I think is a pretty good deal...