CD-player for $1100 - Can I do any better?

rmihai0 · « **on:** 28 Dec 2005, 03:37 pm »

I was looking to upgrade my CD-player and my budget is limited to $1100.

So far, researching, I found out three players that worth considering:
- Marantz SA-17 S1
- Arcam CD23
- Unison Research Unico

Can I do any better for $1100? Cary 308T for instance?

samplesj · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 03:43 pm »

What do you have now? Could you just add a DAC to that player or do you want an all in one solution? There are some really nice DAC's in that price range and lower,

rmihai0 · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 03:48 pm »

Right now I use a super modded Toshiba SD-4900 which I love for DVDs, but for CDs just sound like sh...t.

samplesj · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 03:54 pm »

If you aren't counting on selling the current player for cash, what about looking at the Benchmark DAC1 or the new Lavry Black (I think its out now).

I just added a Benchmark to my main system and it easily beats my Denon 3910 and my old ModWright'd Perpetual Technologies stack.

I know everyone always suggests what they own, but I do really like the DAC1.

rmihai0 · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 03:58 pm »

Thank you for your sugestion.

The problem is that I simply don't want to spend more then $550 for a DAC. Unfortunatelly Benchmark DAC1 is well over this.

Any other suggestions?

maxwalrath · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 04:02 pm »

Used modwright signature players can be found on a-gon in that range.

Hantra · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 04:19 pm »

If I was in the market to spend $1,000 on a CD player, I would absolutely buy a Naim CD5. Stay away from the 5i with the RCA's as it's not upgradable with the supplemental power supplies.

rmihai0 · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 04:22 pm »

I gave an extended listen to a Naim CD5x powered by a FlatCap and I like it a lot. But was way over my budget. Also, I audiotioned the CD5, but was not my cup of tea.

J North · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 06:28 pm »

add the new rega apollo to your list as well

samplesj · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 06:53 pm »

Quote from: rmihai0

Thank you for your sugestion.

The problem is that I simply don't want to spend more then $550 for a DAC. Unfortunatelly Benchmark DAC1 is well over this.

Any other suggestions?

Ah, I just realized that you were the person that previously explained in this thread, that the maximum acceptable market price for any DAC is $550.

Good luck with your search, but it puzzles me to see people limit their search for such a strange reason.

Jon L · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 07:13 pm »

Well, I've seen Benchmark DAC-1's go on Agon for $675-800 range.

IMO, NO $1000 one-box CDP is going to approach the sound quality of good digital source+ Benchmark (the latest version).

I would personally recommend getting a Chaintech AV710 soundcard ($22 at newegg.com) to get bit-perfect digital out to Benchmark DAC-1. You can then even buy DAC-1 at full retail ($975) brand new and stay within the $1100 budget.

DeanSheen · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Dec 2005, 08:50 pm »

Eastsound E5 and pocket $350.

Read the thread at Head-fi.com

Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Dec 2005, 12:13 am »

Hi SamplesJ,

Quote

I just added a Benchmark to my main system and it easily beats my Denon 3910 and my old ModWright'd Perpetual Technologies stack.

Your going to start my upgraditis with comments like that?

I've been using a pt p3a modwright level 2 for a couple of years now. I'm currently evaluating a modified pioneer pds 507 (which has g & d clock and digital output board installed) to use as a transport with the pt p1a/p3a. At this stage I can hear a bit of an improvement with it compared to my stock marantz cd4000 which is used as a transport.

Did you use a pt p1a with the dac? Have you sold your pt dac?

Regards

Rod

Hantra · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Dec 2005, 12:44 am »

Quote from: rmihai0

I gave an extended listen to a Naim CD5x powered by a FlatCap and I like it a lot. But was way over my budget. Also, I audiotioned the CD5, but was not my cup of tea.

I was thinking you could pick up a 5x on Audiogon for around $1150-1200. I just don't know what will beat it at the price.

toobluvr · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Dec 2005, 09:34 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

Quote from: rmihai0
I gave an extended listen to a Naim CD5x powered by a FlatCap and I like it a lot. But was way over my budget. Also, I audiotioned the CD5, but was not my cup of tea.

I was thinking you could pick up a 5x on Audiogon for around $1150-1200. I just don't know what will beat it at the price.

I don't think you can get a CD5X that cheap.
1150-1200 appears to be the low end of asking prices for the CD5.