Newby - Help Wanted for CD Player recommendation

davewe · « **on:** 22 Sep 2003, 03:42 am »

I just set up a modest home theater in my basement which means I no longer have a CD player in the living room. I know a lot more about DVD players than CD players I want to get something decent but not expensive. Should I:

Get a 2nd DVD/CD Player
Get a used/older high quality CD Player
Get a new but inexpensive CD Player

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Dave

randytsuch · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 05:46 am »

Hi

What's your budget, it makes a difference.

Also, what's the rest of your system like?

I would probably be looking at a new SACD or universal player if I was you.

Randy

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 06:20 am »

It's hard to make a very qualified recommendation w/o knowing your tastes, system, budget, etc. Still, the Pioneer DV-563A DVD player has a lot going for it. It will play not only DVDs, but CD/SACD/DVD-A, as well as MP3s. It also displays JPEGs from CD (for viewing digital images/photos). The DV-563A is only $180 (at http://Audioadvisor.com or at many B&M stores, such as Ultimate Electronics).

davewe · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 07:22 am »

Quote from: randytsuch

Hi

What's your budget, it makes a difference.

Also, what's the rest of your system like?

I would probably be looking at a new SACD or universal player if I was you.

Randy

My budget's as cheap as I can go. As i say i have a HT set up so I just need music in the living room. A DVD is not necessary, though it seems like they are as cheap as a CD player. So my question is: dedicated CD player, DVD/CD player, of older warhorse CD player (like a NAD).

Dave

MaxCast · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 12:07 pm »

Since you don't want to offer a price range or equipment used with it, I'll recommend the Pioneer 563 as well. $171 at BB.

Carlman · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 05:08 pm »

I have a home theater system, it's an Aiwa. The speakers, dual cassette player, and 3 CD carousel were all included! I have a Pioneer DV-444 connected to this system and it works very well. I also have a Panasonic stereo VCR connected.

My TV is a 27" Panasonic. It's about 4 or 5 years old. It came with an S-video input. I use that input for the cable box since I use it the most. The DVD player runs to the front inputs via 3 RCA cables that came with the player.

My level of interest in home theater may or may not be as high as the original poster's. However, I too would recommend the Pioneer... any of them... they will play DVD's and a bunch of other formats.

If you want to separate your 2-channel from the HT setup cleanly, use the digital output of the DVD player to a DAC and run that to a separate pre-amp and speakers.... You can still use the analog output of the DVD player to go to your HT setup.... or you can go vice-versa if you have a digital input in your HT setup.

So, does that answer the question? No.

I re-read your post and now understand you want a CD player for a system that is in your living room. Is this a 2-channel system or is it also HT? You want to be able to play CD's in your living room at the lowest cost. Since that's all I know, I can only recommend any CD player that is inexpensive.

lkosova · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Sep 2003, 02:15 am »

Look at a Parasound c/dp 1000. You can get them used on the net and are a great value with great sound. If you can find a used Rega Planet I would grab either one up.

Larry

Mad DOg · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Sep 2003, 03:25 am »

Sony DVP-S7000s (Sony's older reference DVD player) happen to make quite decent CD players. They make better transports but the DAC is decent. These can be had for relatively little money.

beat · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Oct 2003, 09:48 pm »

If cheap is your main priority, go with an old NEC multispin or the like(found new on ebay for 15 bucks or so if you are patient) and put some money into a decent D/A converter (scott nixon tubed) or let your amp do it if it has a D/A built in as some HT amps do. This is debatably one of audios best kept secrets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2756444888&category=33871

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Oct 2003, 11:10 pm »

Quote from: beat

If cheap is your main priority, go with an old NEC multispin or the like(found new on ebay for 15 bucks or so if you are patient) and put some money into a decent D/A converter (scott nixon tubed) or let your amp do it if it has a D/A built in as some HT amps do. This is debatably one of audios best kept secrets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2756444888&category=33871

I didn't see a digital out on the unit on eBay---how do the digital bits get to a DAC????

Thump553 · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 01:01 pm »

Can anyone point me to more info on the nec multi-spin, hopefully a how-to. Also, one of my main concerns is will it read CDRs as I have many burnt concerts I listen to. My experience has been a lot of older CD readers can't read CDRs. Also, do you need some sort of SCSI setup to use these?

My intended use for this would be in a home headphone setup, feeding into an ART DI/O to my headphone amp.

beat · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 01:16 pm »

You got me Tonto!
I didn't really look closely at that item, I just did an ebay search and posted the first nec multispin that came up. It looks like that one actually already has analog outs, eh? There are a couple guys on the forum that have experience with this that could answer those questions better than I. Maybe we could start a new thread titled nec multispin and see who bites.

BradJudy · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 02:54 pm »

I use a NEC multispin for an audio CD player at work, but I use the analog outputs. I did just crack the case open and look at the drive itself. There is a digital output connection on the drive. One would simply have to connect a jack to this connection and hook up an external DAC.

If I had an external DAC I'd try it out, but I don't.

These are great drives. I have a 4x one with a label stating 'July 1991' and it works like a champ.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 03:17 pm »

beat & BradJudy,
the NEC unit has to be outputting digital info through those multi-pinned computer connections, doesn't it??? I just don't know of a way to connect that to a DAC. It does seem like a cheap way to add CD capabilities even if using those analog outs.

BradJudy · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 06:22 pm »

Tonto,

It's just a two pin connection (ground ans signal) on the back of the drive labeled as 'digital output'. I assume this can just be wired to an RCA style jack.

randytsuch · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 06:39 pm »

Here is an article that talks about using the NEC external CDROM drive
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue3/cdrom.htm

I have the model described in this article. I don't have an external DAC, but I listened to the output, and it sounds decent, better than a $25 CDP should, IMHO. My modded SA14 kills it, but that's not a fair comparision.

This model has a digital out, but all they did was connect an RCA jack, with two wires, to the digital out of the internal drive, so I think that would work if you have a model without the digital out.

BTW, I tried my NEC with CDR's, and had no problem reading them.

It's biggest drawback was no remote, but what do you want for $25?

Randy

beat · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 Oct 2003, 07:20 pm »

perfect article!
thanks randy! Now if we can manage to not bid against eachother on ebay over the course of the next week

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 3 Oct 2003, 09:46 am »

This is the NEC unit that is in the article - Multispin 6X - has digital out. I also have this unit in my system connected to ART/DIO dac. For the price (ebay) not a bad deal. Here's a link for an ebay auction - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2756628418&category=33871