[Bigfishhk]

Looking for suggestions for $200 or less cd player, new or used. I would prefer a player that can handle mp3 cds as well as redbook. DVD-A/ SACD is a big bonus (ie a Universal player).

The cd will be hooked up to Anthem integrated amp and Kappa 8.1 speakers. It's my second system and I don't have an external DAC for it.

There are many sub $200 universal players on the market brand new but my guess is that they are not optimised for audio. I won't be using the player for video- only music playback.

any suggestions welcome.

many thanks

TOm

[mnilan]

Tom:
I use an Oppo DV-970HD in my desktop system.  I don't know if it will do MP3s as I don't use them but it works great for CDs, SACDs and DVD-Audio discs. 
Mike

[Letitroll98]

I also use that Oppo, but if buying today I might go with a nice used Denon 2910.  Excellent build quality, many nice examples available on eBay, lots of mods available from easy to extensive, decent sound quality stock, nice transport for a DAC.  I've had zero problems with my Oppo and wouldn't ever say don't consider it, but I just like the beefier feel of the Denon.

Sony ES and some of the Marantz units can sound pretty good,  The last model Cambridge audio is on closeout, Azur 350C CD player is going for $299 new, possibly a used 550C could be had.  No SACD though.

[Bigfishhk]

I also use that Oppo, but if buying today I might go with a nice used Denon 2910.  Excellent build quality, many nice examples available on eBay, lots of mods available from easy to extensive, decent sound quality stock, nice transport for a DAC.    The last model Cambridge audio is on closeout, 

there's a few Denons going around $175. 6-7 yrs old though.. Which Cambridge Audio player are you mentioning?
thanks
TOm

[Quiet Earth]

$200 is a tough price point. It sounds like used is ok with you, but only barely used (like one or two years?). That's probably a good idea there.

If audio is more important than video I would spend another 99 dollars and get a new NAD 515BEE.  http://nadelectronics.com/products/cd-players/C-515BEE-CD-Player

I bought one for my mom a while ago and she uses the heck out of it. She loves it. We both think it sounds good. It's small, well made, and reliable. It is also bare bones simple and easy to use. You can even stack another small component on top of it if you need to because it runs cool and has no vent on top. Mom has the matching little NAD integrated on top of her player. Works fine that way.

Maybe you can get it cheaper if you can find one gently used. It's a great little CD player for the money, even new,  and it should last you a long time.

[Letitroll98]

Which Cambridge Audio player are you mentioning?
thanks
TOm

The last model Cambridge audio is on closeout which is the Azur 350C CD player is going for $299 new, possibly a used 550C could be had.  No SACD though.

There, corrected to read more clearly.  I see how it could be previously interpreted as shorthand for two different units.

[Quiet Earth]

Hey that Cambridge looks pretty nice for the money Letitrol. (I have never heard a Cambridge product, I'm just looking at it.)

You can get a new one for $280 USD on Amazon. Still 80 dollars over budget, though. 

[JLM]

Another vote for the Oppo 970 (although mine just died, but hey it was 6 years old, had maybe 4000 hours on it).  Cheaply built, but again it was $170 delivered.

Another vintage idea (better built) are the old Sony ES players.  I'm down to a XA20ES ($700 MSRP in 2000).  Mine is strictly CD, but Sony had plenty of universals.  Start your search at http://www.thevintageknob.org/index.php

Also try ecoustics.com, hometheaterreview.com, or goodsound.com for reviews.

[Phil A]

Here's one - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=108481.msg1115915;topicseen#new

[WC]

I have a Pioneer DV-660 which sells for $100 on Amazon. It has what you are looking for.

[Bigfishhk]

I have a Pioneer DV-660 which sells for $100 on Amazon. It has what you are looking for.

thank you for letting me know. I decided to try a Squeezebox Touch instead since they are now only $217on Amazon. So far working well for me.Tom

[saeyedoc]

thank you for letting me know. I decided to try a Squeezebox Touch instead since they are now only $217on Amazon. So far working well for me.Tom

I ordered one last week, installed it yesterday. Works great. I highly recommend setting up the server on a computer, not the touch itself. You can do that before the touch even comes and get everything indexed. The software is free. Also recommend the ipeng app, I got the one for the ipad, fantastic.

[Phil A]

I love my Squeezebox Touch as well.  A power supply upgrade makes a nice upgrade for it too.

[Noseyears]

I love my Squeezebox Touch as well.  A power supply upgrade makes a nice upgrade for it too.

Yep. A linear power supply is recommended in this case.

[shadowlight]

Yamaha DVD-S1700 - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78462

[Bigfishhk]

recommend the ipeng app, I got the one for the ipad, fantastic.

Currently using the touch app remote on iPad.not bad at all. Does ipeng work a lot better?
Side note. I listened to sb touch thru my tube dac (minimax EE plus) in my main system. Another step up in sq, but at the same time even using the sb touch internal dac Without dac, the sound is pretty decent, esp in my bedRoom system. I am going to get the next gen sb touch for the main system.
Surprised how well the streaming is working.i expected dropouts but have none so far.
Tom

[saeyedoc]

I haven't tried the basic squeezebox app, but my friend who suggested the squeezebox said ipeng was much better.

[Chromisdesigns]

I haven't tried the basic squeezebox app, but my friend who suggested the squeezebox said ipeng was much better.

The free one works well enough for me on our iPad that I haven't thought much about paying for iPeng.

On an older iPhone, though, it barely runs at all! When my OL got the new one, I was going to keep her oldie and use it basically as a SqueezeBox controller, but the performance was so bad we wound up just selling it for a few bux to one of the recyclers.