maxflinn:hi folks , im looking to get one , is that budget high enough to gain benefits ?, ive got a pair of ma br5s and a yamaha rxv765 , im not currently thinking about a stereo music amp , the yam will have to do that job for the forseeable future , but i would like a proper cd player rather than using my sony bds363 .. any thoughts ? ta..
Not read all of the thread so far, so apologies if you're on the road to buying or have bought. Depending on where you live in the UK, assuming you are in the UK(!), if you're looking to buy new, then there's any number of usual suspects (although the Cambridge 640 Mk 2 CDP would be a good one at £150 if you can land one) but Gumtree often turns up some great kit in fine condition for throwaway money.
£200 will get you the Exposure CD player from the 1990s (don't think it had a model number at the time!) - this originally went for £1500 or so. Chances are it'll be in good nick and you'll have landed a winner. Partner carefully as I hear it has a leaner sound but excels in the midrange.
Often models like the Rotel 965BX (very well regarded and reviewed) CDP will turn up for less than £70. Venerable elder statesmen like the Marantz CD52 Mk II will go for £20-30 and for that money, they're a bargain. Happy memories of the latter model which I had on the back of the WHF review of the day and a demo at Superfi. Great player and won't be too shabby now. Get one and even if the transport fails in a year, you spent what, a couple of rounds of drinks to get it?
The caveat is, you need to be happy with a used bit of kit - the seller's "this is one of the greatest CD players ever made" counts for nothing. Likewise, there's no comeback if you buy a pup, so check carefully. Well, the small claims court for significant sums, but most will put a bad experience down to just that. On the other hand, you'll be in the seller's home, can see the state of the place and maybe get an idea if he's being upfront about it. Try and listen to the thing if you can, or at least switch it on and press a few buttons. "Power", "Open/Close" and "Play" would be my options!
And, if you have bought something by now, hope you enjoy it, sorry for the ramble!