Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
which cd changer for $300
#141226 06/09/06 04:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
C
cmeb Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
C
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
What is a good 5 disk cd changer for about $300. My old JVC konked out after 16 years. I just got new M60's, and I basically listen to Rock.

Re: which cd changer for $300
cmeb #141227 06/09/06 05:05 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Well, if you can swing $350, this might be the way to go.

Onkyo DV-CP802, SACD/DVD-A changer. No HDMI, DVI, but apparently a pretty good changer. One issue: random mode does not remember which tracks it has played before.

Note, I haven't used it, but I do kind of want one. Well, really want one.

There aren't a lot of universal changers out there, this is one, and Yamaha makes 2 others, which are reputed to be quite slow, but are well regarded in terms of video quality.

If you're just looking for a CD Changer for $300, well, I've got one here I can sell you... actually, it's probably the same model you had!

CD changers, unless you're tossing in DVD-X functionality or SACD are generally pretty cheap these days.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: which cd changer for $300
Ken.C #141228 06/09/06 06:07 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
T
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
T
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
I really like my Sony mega-changers. No SACD/DVDA, but the variety and convenience are astounding.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: which cd changer for $300
tomtuttle #141229 06/09/06 06:33 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Well, you can get an SACD megachanger. Likely more than $300, though.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: which cd changer for $300
Ken.C #141230 06/09/06 06:49 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
C
cmeb Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
C
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
I don't really need a mega changer, my old JVC played 6 cd's, and that was plenty for what I listen to. I just want something decent, and I don't have a clue on what's out there to buy.

Re: which cd changer for $300
cmeb #141231 06/09/06 09:09 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18
J
frequent flier
Offline
frequent flier
J
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18
The Sony '85' changer model is well regarded. Has HDMI output and upconversion up to 780 or 1080i.

Yamaha makes some also, but they cost a good amount more, but some of their models offer SACD and DVDA capability.

Re: which cd changer for $300
cmeb #141232 06/10/06 02:17 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
CM, welcome. While you may not "really need" a mega-changer, don't overlook the advantages of being able to store all your CDs and select any of them by pressing a couple of buttons.


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

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: which cd changer for $300
Jrain #141233 06/10/06 02:26 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
C
cmeb Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
C
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
How is Marantz, compared to Sony and Yamaha? Would the sound be any better? I've been reading different forums, and I see Marantz mentioned alot.

Re: which cd changer for $300
cmeb #141234 06/10/06 05:46 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
More expensive, for a start. It is unlikely to sound any better, and won't if you're planning on using the digital outs. While there is potential for a different sound depending on the DAC, with CDs being as mature as they are, it is unlikely you will hear any difference.

If you get a CDP with a tube output, all bets are off. But I think those tend to be a bit out of your budget.

Note, there will be people who disagree with me.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: which cd changer for $300
Ken.C #141235 06/11/06 04:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 71
old hand
Offline
old hand
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 71
If all you're looking for is a CD player, check out this Marantz for only $130 (normally sells for $299). It's got a 1 yr factory warantee and you can buy another couple of years cheaply. A 5 CD changer, and I've always liked the Marantz sound. Smooth.... I got my DVD player from them and it was absolutely brand new; probably a return. Never a problem or hiccup. I've had Marantz for years, currently using their HT receiver. Good luck in your search!


Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion: you must set yourself on fire!
Re: which cd changer for $300
VikingShips #141236 06/11/06 08:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
C
cmeb Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
C
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4
I was looking at that Marantz yesterday. The Sony's are too big for my cabinet, and that Marantz will just fit. It got some good reviews too. I'm a little nervous about a refubished though? Then again the price is great. I think I'll try it out. Thanks

Re: which cd changer for $300
VikingShips #141237 06/12/06 12:44 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,501
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,501
Although a little more money, I would suggest a Squeezebox.

http://slimdevices.com/

With lossless encoding of files, it is CD quality, and you can have an unlimited number of CDs at your fingers without actually touching the discs....I currently have close to 300 discs available to me.

Re: which cd changer for $300
curtis #141238 06/14/06 02:11 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 88
R
old hand
Offline
old hand
R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 88
I second the Squeezebox nomination. If you have a home network this thing is just about the best toy to come down the pike in a long time. Very good D/A chips, Burr Brown 24 bit I believe and great sound. Supports all kinds of formats and works great. I use mine wired over gigabit ethernet, not wireless and have never had a problem. Over time I can see it replacing my CD player for most listening. However, and not to flame the MP3, AAC, FLAC, etc etc, at what ever bit rate, etc etc....sounds as good as CD argument.....BUT....I have done side by side blind listening tests and there is a difference. VERY slight, but it is there. I encode most of my music at either 320 or VBR 0 depending on the music and ripper. I can hear no difference between a 320 MP3 or FLAC, but both of those are better than AAC. Most people cannot tell the difference. But a good CD transport / player with a well Engineered CD played over a good system is still going to sound better. Albeit very slight. So for new music that I buy it still goes in the CD player. After I've heard it a while it gets ripped to the server and the CD gets stored away.

BTW, the thing also coneects seemlesly with Pandora. www.pandora.com which is also very cool if you have broadband. Program music that you like. it's a 128k stream and it sounds very good for internet music. Not as good as CD yet but I bet that changes in a couple of years.

Re: which cd changer for $300
cmeb #141239 06/14/06 06:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
Cmeb,

Sony has been building reliable CD changer mechansisms for decades. I'd second the comments of TomTuttle and JohnK. I've been very happy with the two 301-disc CD megachangers I've been using for 3 or 4 years now and there is absolutely no difference in sound quality from much more expensive boutique brands.

The Sony CX-355 is astonishingly inexpensive--about $149 at J&R. Plus they never repeat tracks on shuffle play and the cross-fade feature can be wildly entertaining.

Regards,


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: which cd changer for $300
alan #141240 06/14/06 11:21 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
But no DVD-A....


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: which cd changer for $300
Robert_W #141241 06/15/06 02:45 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,501
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,501
Quote:

I second the Squeezebox nomination. If you have a home network this thing is just about the best toy to come down the pike in a long time. Very good D/A chips, Burr Brown 24 bit I believe and great sound. Supports all kinds of formats and works great. I use mine wired over gigabit ethernet, not wireless and have never had a problem. Over time I can see it replacing my CD player for most listening. However, and not to flame the MP3, AAC, FLAC, etc etc, at what ever bit rate, etc etc....sounds as good as CD argument.....BUT....I have done side by side blind listening tests and there is a difference. VERY slight, but it is there. I encode most of my music at either 320 or VBR 0 depending on the music and ripper. I can hear no difference between a 320 MP3 or FLAC, but both of those are better than AAC. Most people cannot tell the difference. But a good CD transport / player with a well Engineered CD played over a good system is still going to sound better. Albeit very slight. So for new music that I buy it still goes in the CD player. After I've heard it a while it gets ripped to the server and the CD gets stored away.

BTW, the thing also coneects seemlesly with Pandora. www.pandora.com which is also very cool if you have broadband. Program music that you like. it's a 128k stream and it sounds very good for internet music. Not as good as CD yet but I bet that changes in a couple of years.



I'll say that if you rip into a lossless format, and use the same DACs.....it will be even less than a slight difference.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 136 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4