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$800-1,000 CD player?
#223806 10/04/08 03:07 PM
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Out in a week or two: Marantz SA8003 (two channel SACD)
OR
Released a couple of months ago: Arcam CD17 (Redbook only)

I expect I will soon buy one of these models. I don't own any SACDs and don't plan to seek them out per se. I also have the original 60G PS3 that can play SACDs if I'm ever so inclined (by the way, what a BD player it is!!). I cannot find any evidence that Marantz's 8001 model had any compromise on Redbook sources. Spec-wise, the 8003 is beyond reproach in terms of DAC, transport, power, build quality. The CD17 is Arcam's latest Redbook player, with the stout Full Metal Jacket chassis and top DAC. Of course, I'm looking for your opinions not based on these exact models but past Arcam and Marantz experience/knowledge. And no, I don't want a universal player (Oppo's or anyone else's). I'm looking for a unit that I will at times listen to "critically" and will hope to feel like I'm close to the old vinyl sound (minus the hisses, pops, cleaning rituals)--what we all want sonically. Thanks in advance.

Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
bluray #223812 10/04/08 03:20 PM
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Is there any reason why you feel like you need to pay that kind of money for a CD player?

I don't even use a CD player, just stream all my music as a FLAC file over my network to my denon 3808. Once in a while I do pop in a CD, and then I just use my HD-DVD player, my xbox360, or my PS3


-David
Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
terzaghi #223813 10/04/08 03:22 PM
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I don't believe you will find a whit of differece between those players and the sound out from your SACD player. If you want a softer, more rolled off high end, you might have better luck looking at a tubed CD player, such as the Ah! Noe Tjoeb (or however it's spelled). That at least has a better chance of sounding different than players that almost undoubtedly use the same components as $50 or $100 units.

Last edited by kcarlile; 10/04/08 03:22 PM.

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Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
terzaghi #223843 10/04/08 07:43 PM
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 Originally Posted By: terzaghi


I don't even use a CD player, just stream all my music as a FLAC file over my network to my denon 3808.


Do you have a squeezebox? I was checking them out yesterday, specifically the squeezebox duet. I bought an A/V kit for my Zune player which has all my music from my computer on it but I'm not all that happy with it because the volume on my Denon has to be turned up extremely high, around the 0 mark to get close to listening levels and I'm afraid that I'm going to shut everything down one day after using my Zune and then start it up and again in CD mode and blow my brains out, or my amplifier. The benefit of the Zune player is that I can play video, although lower quality.

I was wondering how the squeezebox duet would work with my 3808. If I hook the box to my computer, would it stream the audio directly to my 3808 without another connection, or would I need another squeezebox hooked up to my receiver?

Thanks


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
Ya_basta #223848 10/04/08 08:06 PM
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Wheelz, I do not have a squeezebox. I use TVersity media server to stream the FLAC files from my PC and I use the Net/USB feature on the 3808 to select the files and play in my living room. I have a linksys wireles gaming adapter that essentially converts my ethernet port on my 3808 to a wireless connection.


-David
Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
Ya_basta #223849 10/04/08 08:15 PM
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Oh, to comment on the original post so I'm not hijacking this thread :)I believe Alan wrote/posted regarding CD players and I think he said that he's never found and audible difference between a high priced player and a lower priced one. In it (which I will post if I find it) he mentions that he has the same Sony 300 disc CD player($300) as myself and he is more than happy with it.

A CD carousel and a player like the squeezebox would be a cheaper and better alternative, although redundant if you load everything onto your computer.


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
Ya_basta #223854 10/04/08 08:30 PM
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Well I looked high and low for the post that I thought was made by Alan but I can't find it, so don't take my word for it. I don't want to misquote him.


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
bluray #223897 10/05/08 02:13 AM
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Blu, it appears that the stated objectives aren't realistic in light of the facts of modern audio technology. While I have(mostly)fond memories of playing LPs, and it's remarkable that the relatively grungy technology was able to do even as well as it did, it's simply obsolescent technology now and can't reproduce the analog waveforms of music with the accuracy that's routine with modern digital discs and players. So, nostalgia for the "old vinyl sound" is nice, but shouldn't replace reality.

As to CD players, they reached the point some time ago where even moderately-priced units(say $100)reproduce CDs with audibly flat 20-20KHz response and with noise and distortion well below the audible level. Nothing more is possible. This is also true of the CD/DVD players since they use dual frequency lasers, 780nm being optimal for reproducing CDs and 650nm for regular DVDs. Any competently designed units, including those that you mention, will play a CD so that it sounds like a CD, not an LP. The difference is price, and paying $800-$1000 doesn't appear to be cost-effective.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
JohnK #223945 10/05/08 04:03 PM
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The only reason I can think of to make this type of a purchase is to try impress people with how high end the equipment is.


Dave
Re: $800-1,000 CD player?
JohnK #223946 10/05/08 04:05 PM
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 Originally Posted By: JohnK
So, nostalgia for the "old vinyl sound" is nice, but shouldn't replace reality.

Unless the reality is that you like that sound. Not everyone seeks accuracy as the holy grail of sound quality.

 Originally Posted By: JohnK
The difference is price, and paying $800-$1000 doesn't appear to be cost-effective.


But if you are partial to a particular aesthetic you have to pay for the looks:




"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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