CD player needed to partner Yamaha Z7

[admin_exported]

I currently have an Oppo BDP-83 connected to my Z7 for use with Blu-ray,DVD and CD's.

This works great for movies but is a bit lacking in CD play-back.

I realize an AV receiver is not ideal for stereo play-back but its all I have at present.

Could you please recommend an CD player to partner my Z7 for improved music listening pleasure.

Big thanks for your help!!

 

[Anonymous]

I suppose that the first question we need to ask you is: what is your budget?

I would think something like a Marantz CD6003 might be a good starting point.

Dan.

 

[Anonymous]

Dan, thanks for the reply.

Budget would be up to 1000 GBP. But is it worth spending this sort of amount considering I'm using an AV Receiver ? This is really what I'm unsure about.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

That is a decent budget for a dedicated SACD/CD Player. In short, I would say that having an A/V Receiver does hamper stereo play-back somewhat (compared against dedicated 2-channel stereo components, understandably so).

However, the Z7 is a very capable A/V Receiver and while I wouldn't necessarily suggest to go out and spent mega bucks on a dedicated SACD/CD Player, I would recommend to audition a Marantz SA8003 SACD/CD Player.

Dan.

 

[Anonymous]

im not sure if its been published yet , or even if it has taken place , but i recall mr e had a good idea for "the big question" a blind test , where three whfi readers would listen to various av receivers playing stereo music (i think) , and then listen to proper stereo amps , moving up through the range of av receivers until there was no audible benefit , or difference , between an av receiver and stereo amp , this may be of interest to you , im not sure if they used a z7 , but they might have...

 

[Anonymous]

Dan, thank you again for your input. The Marantz looks like a fine player and I will defiantly be cheeking it out.

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Max, cheers for that.

 

[Anonymous]

That Marantz is a bit over the top. I'd go for a lower model unless you need the SACD, which the Oppo does anyway. Budget should be about the £400 mark, else you're paying for subtle difference you won't be able to hear.

The other option is to bung a £200 Dacmagic on the Oppo. That will give you as good a lift in sound as your system allows plus is good enough to handle several upgrades.

 

[Sorreltiger]

I think the fundamental question has to be which component is limiting your enjoyment. Perhaps you can try (borrow?) or demo a capable CD player with your Z7 and then try a stereo amp with your Oppo?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated!

 

[Anonymous]

i think you would be better off with a stereo amplifier , hook up your front speakers to it , and hook up your oppo to it via phono cables , also connect phono cables from the pre outs on the z7 to aux in on the amp , run the speaker setup again on the z7 , with the stereo amp turned up half volume , and set to aux , you will have surround sound as normal when watching blurays , dvds , once you select 5.1 or 7.1 output on the z7 , and when u play a cd , set the z7 to output stereo music , your stereo amp then kicks in once set to cd , the z7 plays no part , and you should get great sound from your oppo via the stereo amp , it works great for me , no need to buy a cd player imo , the oppo should be fine .. just my thoughts ...

 

[Anonymous]

I was in your identical position. I home demo'd an Arcam (£1.3k rrp) against my LX91 and I couldnt hear any noticable difference. I'd suggest demo a cheaper CD player, at £1k the Z7 would only mask any differences a standalone player gives. Enjoy your Z7 as it is, I think a stereo amp is overkill as the Z7 is brilliant!