brand new mini system or second hand seperates?

[JimTT]

Hi all, I've had a Denon CEOL RCD-N8 mini system hooked up to a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s for nearly 15 years now, and the CD player has now conked out.

I'm now faced with getting a like-for-like replacement such as the Marantz Melody X DR612 mini system(£430) - or I could get some second hand seprates for a bit less - I've seen a Cambridge Audio A1 V3 amp (from 1990s but with added bluetooth) and pairing with a new Cambridge Audio AXC25 CD player (£380 total).

Anyone got any advice? I'm not at all wedded to either of those new options, it's just what I looked up today. I had always imagined upgrading my mini system, put don't have the spare cash

Danke

 

[Al ears]

Hi all, I've had a Denon CEOL RCD-N8 mini system hooked up to a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s for nearly 15 years now, and the CD player has now conked out.

I'm now faced with getting a like-for-like replacement such as the Marantz Melody X DR612 mini system(£430) - or I could get some second hand seprates for a bit less - I've seen a Cambridge Audio A1 V3 amp (from 1990s but with added bluetooth) and pairing with a new Cambridge Audio AXC25 CD player (£380 total).

Anyone got any advice? I'm not at all wedded to either of those new options, it's just what I looked up today. I had always imagined upgrading my mini system, put don't have the spare cash

Danke

As always condition is everything with second-hand gear. I would be aiming for an amplifier that is newer than your A1 .
The Melody X is very good and would offer you some sort of warranty.
Difficult decision, I would try to up your budget a bit and go for better seperate amplifier ( the Yamaha RS202D is available for around £280 new)
The Denon DCD 600CD player may be cheaper than the Cambridge AX25

 

[JimTT]

As always condition is everything with second-hand gear. I would be aiming for an amplifier that is newer than your A1 .
The Melody X is very good and would offer you some sort of warranty.
Difficult decision, I would try to up your budget a bit and go for better seperate amplifier ( the Yamaha RS202D is available for around £280 new)
The Denon DCD 600CD player may be cheaper than the Cambridge AX25

thanks for this. I had worried the amp was a bit old. Thanks for the specific amp and cd player suggestions. So with that Yamaha and Denon I'd be getting an entry level seperates system - would this be an improvement on my defunct DenonCEOL mini system? And also allow me to, at some point, get speakers with a bigger mid/bass driver?

 

[Noddy]

Hi all, I've had a Denon CEOL RCD-N8 mini system hooked up to a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s for nearly 15 years now, and the CD player has now conked out.

I'm now faced with getting a like-for-like replacement such as the Marantz Melody X DR612 mini system(£430) - or I could get some second hand seprates for a bit less - I've seen a Cambridge Audio A1 V3 amp (from 1990s but with added bluetooth) and pairing with a new Cambridge Audio AXC25 CD player (£380 total).

Anyone got any advice? I'm not at all wedded to either of those new options, it's just what I looked up today. I had always imagined upgrading my mini system, put don't have the spare cash

Danke

Here is my left field suggestion. Get yourself a modest but decent amp, and. streamer, then subscribe to Tidal, or one of the other music streaming platforms. No need to tinker about with plastic disks, just use a phone or tablet app to choose and play almost anything. This little amp will do it all for you:

WiiM Amp (Space Grey)

Shop for WiiM Amp (Space Grey) Amplifier with Richer Sounds for expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

It has an analogue input, so you could instead pick up a separate CD player. I used to have a Teac Reference 300 system. An old Teac CD player, or some other make can be picked up cheap. I have no idea if you can actually hear the difference between an old or budget player and a fancy pants one.

 

[JimTT]

Here is my left field suggestion. Get yourself a modest but decent amp, and. streamer, then subscribe to Tidal, or one of the other music streaming platforms. No need to tinker about with plastic disks, just use a phone or tablet app to choose and play almost anything. This little amp will do it all for you:

WiiM Amp (Space Grey)

Shop for WiiM Amp (Space Grey) Amplifier with Richer Sounds for expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

It has an analogue input, so you could instead pick up a separate CD player. I used to have a Teac Reference 300 system. An old Teac CD player, or some other make can be picked up cheap. I have no idea if you can actually hear the difference between an old or budget player and a fancy pants one.

Thanks for this. I spotted this in the window of my local hi-fi shop a few months ago and was interested in it as I would like the option to stream stuff or play via bluetooth. I am very much a CD user though - the digital distraction of streaming services just does something to my brain and I can't enjoy the music as much, It just distracts my attention somehow. I love turning the tv and internet off in the evening!

Life would just be easier if i was richer...

 

[DCarmi]

If you are working to a restricted budget, you might consider blowing it on a separate CD player, given the N8 seems to be a CD failure only and has both RCA and optical inputs.

That way you'd have the basis for building a replacement for the N8 system, with future funds, i.e. amp next. If you look at somewhere like Richersounds (worth joining the free VIP club for the extra warranty alone), there are quite a few decent CD players on offer. Sure, the N8 is likely to be the weakest link.

e.g. (Richersounds VIP prices where appropriate)
Denon DCD600NE (£249)
Denon DCD900NE (£299)
Rotel CD11 Tribute (£329)
Marantz CD6007 (£349)
...and others.

The Marantz would be my choice without splurging more.

If you are decided on both CD and amp then AI ears suggestion of the Yamaha R-S202D and Denon DCD600NE is a good shout. The Yamaha can be had for £249 from Richer sounds and elsewhere at the moment.

I'd probably steer clear of a 1990s amp, unless it has been re-capped recently.

 

[Al ears]

thanks for this. I had worried the amp was a bit old. Thanks for the specific amp and cd player suggestions. So with that Yamaha and Denon I'd be getting an entry level seperates system - would this be an improvement on my defunct DenonCEOL mini system? And also allow me to, at some point, get speakers with a bigger mid/bass driver?

Yes

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi all, I've had a Denon CEOL RCD-N8 mini system hooked up to a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s for nearly 15 years now, and the CD player has now conked out.

I'm now faced with getting a like-for-like replacement such as the Marantz Melody X DR612 mini system(£430) - or I could get some second hand seprates for a bit less - I've seen a Cambridge Audio A1 V3 amp (from 1990s but with added bluetooth) and pairing with a new Cambridge Audio AXC25 CD player (£380 total).

Anyone got any advice? I'm not at all wedded to either of those new options, it's just what I looked up today. I had always imagined upgrading my mini system, put don't have the spare cash

Danke

I take it you are looking at the CD player new forb £279. That makes the amp about £100. That is too end for one of those.

If you are looking at second hand Amps, take a look at Marantz from the 2000s. Anything from the PM4000 onwards. Similar money to the CA A1 but I prefer the sound of Marantz.

 

[JimTT]

If you are working to a restricted budget, you might consider blowing it on a separate CD player, given the N8 seems to be a CD failure only and has both RCA and optical inputs.

That way you'd have the basis for building a replacement for the N8 system, with future funds, i.e. amp next. If you look at somewhere like Richersounds (worth joining the free VIP club for the extra warranty alone), there are quite a few decent CD players on offer. Sure, the N8 is likely to be the weakest link.

e.g. (Richersounds VIP prices where appropriate)
Denon DCD600NE (£249)
Denon DCD900NE (£299)
Rotel CD11 Tribute (£329)
Marantz CD6007 (£349)
...and others.

The Marantz would be my choice without splurging more.

If you are decided on both CD and amp then AI ears suggestion of the Yamaha R-S202D and Denon DCD600NE is a good shout. The Yamaha can be had for £249 from Richer sounds and elsewhere at the moment.

I'd probably steer clear of a 1990s amp, unless it has been re-capped recently.

oh! that is a good point. The rest of my Denon mini system is fine. The radio works and I can plug in a USB and play fine from that. So I could just hook up a new CD player to it? (my hi-fi tech knowledge is basically zero) With an eye to then getting a amp later?

 

[Al ears]

oh! that is a good point. The rest of my Denon mini system is fine. The radio works and I can plug in a USB and play fine from that. So I could just hook up a new CD player to it? (my hi-fi tech knowledge is basically zero) With an eye to then getting a amp later?

Yes, you could hook up a cd player to one of the two pairs of Audio In sockets.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Further to my earlier point. If you are buying second hand the trick is to wait for the right component at the right price. If something is too expensive, or in poor condition; walk away there will be lots more options in future.

If you are buying on a popular online auction site, one tip is to look out for collection only (if local to you) as people are reluctant to bid on them making then considerably cheaper.

 

[Cricketbat70]

Your N8 must have had a lot more use than my N7, still going strong but with hindsight I wish I'd waited for the N9 when Spotify was added. I keep looking at the current model N12 and the marantz stablemate.

 

[DCarmi]

So I could just hook up a new CD player to it? (my hi-fi tech knowledge is basically zero) With an eye to then getting a amp later

At the back there are 2 sets of RCA plugs. A new CD Player will come with the appropriate cable. Wire red to red and the other cable to the white socket and away you go.

 

[Al ears]

At the back there are 2 sets of RCA plugs. A new CD Player will come with the appropriate cable. Wire red to red and the other cable to the white socket and away you go.

View attachment 7803

The Denon DCD600ne that I suggested, being a better deck than Cambridge, also has an optical out should he wish to use that into the optical in socket to the right of those analog inputs. Worth a try.

 

[JimTT]

I take it you are looking at the CD player new forb £279. That makes the amp about £100. That is too end for one of those.

If you are looking at second hand Amps, take a look at Marantz from the 2000s. Anything from the PM4000 onwards. Similar money to the CA A1 but I prefer the sound of Marantz.

Ok thanks. Yeah the amp is exactly £100 (though the seller has added a bluetooth card). I'll take that on board an forget that amp

At the back there are 2 sets of RCA plugs. A new CD Player will come with the appropriate cable. Wire red to red and the other cable to the white socket and away you go.

View attachment 7803

You are a prince among men!

 

[JimTT]

Thanks everyone. Lots of sound advice. Think I'm gonna get a CD player (prob the Denon one) and attach it to the old R8, and bide my time...before striking!...and buying a suitable amplifier

 

[JimTT]

If you are working to a restricted budget, you might consider blowing it on a separate CD player, given the N8 seems to be a CD failure only and has both RCA and optical inputs.

That way you'd have the basis for building a replacement for the N8 system, with future funds, i.e. amp next. If you look at somewhere like Richersounds (worth joining the free VIP club for the extra warranty alone), there are quite a few decent CD players on offer. Sure, the N8 is likely to be the weakest link.

e.g. (Richersounds VIP prices where appropriate)
Denon DCD600NE (£249)
Denon DCD900NE (£299)
Rotel CD11 Tribute (£329)
Marantz CD6007 (£349)
...and others.

The Marantz would be my choice without splurging more.

If you are decided on both CD and amp then AI ears suggestion of the Yamaha R-S202D and Denon DCD600NE is a good shout. The Yamaha can be had for £249 from Richer sounds and elsewhere at the moment.

I'd probably steer clear of a 1990s amp, unless it has been re-capped recently.

Just wanted to thank you again. I'm feeling a lot more clarity this morning, My head was spinning a little yesterday with all the new ideas and advice pouring in.

Your advice was very good. I want this next system to last me 15-20 years so it would be silly to jump in and get sub-par equipment as a short-term fix, when I want some improvement on my current one, which I get a lot of enjoyment from, but woud likea bit more depth of sound. I'm gonna get that Marantz CD6007 as you suggest with the plan to then add a Marantz PM600? when I have the cash.

Finally a suitbale plan!