CD Player Recommendations Please

[Vimeous]

After 15 years it seems my CD player is no more 🙁

An unwillingness to accept any discs I'm told means a dead mechanism - and apparently they're rare as hens teeth.

As a result my sterio listening is tied to my S760 for CD's and Duet for lossy and lossless digital tunes. Thing is it really doesn't match up to what I'm used to.

What budget and player would you suggest I should audition as a good replacement for the Alpha 7?
I'm not looking for a huge improvement - just similar in a newer package. My musical leanings range from Holst to Megadeth, Dizzy Rascal to Norah Jones.
The replacement with be run direct through the Alpha 9 (as is the Duet) rather than via the RX-V1800 first (S760).

Any and all recommendations are gratefully received [😀]

 

[bretty]

Hi,

By 'budget', what are we talking. £350ish?

Only new, or are you open to the idea of the used market?

 

[Anonymous]

Looking at completed auctions on ebay, your cd player seems to go for £45-100 working and maybe £20-30 broken. You could just replace it by going this route and potentially spend only £30 or £40. No guarantees that won't fail tomorrow of course.

Another option - On another hifi forum with a classified section (the biggest other solely hifi forum so not difficult to find), there's an Avondale modified Arcam Alpha 5 for sale for £350 - hugely respected and something of a bargain.

Of course you may want new in which case other people will know about budget current cd players.

 

[matthewpiano]

Have you asked Arcam about repairing your CD player?

 

[Vimeous]

Old or new?
Either - much of my current kit is secondhand.

The budget reference is for new kit as I've no idea how much I'd need to spend on a new player to give comparible performance. The Alpha 7 was £330 15years ago and seen as little above entry-level then.
I've no planned budget but £300+ is a no-go atm.
Any suggestions?

I have been scouring eBay. Alpha 7/7SE's do seem a common occurance so I will be keeping a weathered eye.

As for contacting Arcam. I sent them a second mail yesterday - my first was in January which didn't receive a reply. I realise they're busy so hopefully my more concise 'do you do/how much' message this time will illicit a response! 🙂

 

[matthewpiano]

Second hand I can highly recommend the Rotel RCD965BX or an Arcam CD73. Both excellent players.

 

[bretty]

I would second the recommendation of the Rotel. I demo'd one up alongside the RCD-991 (which I bought). Although not quite as natural as the '991, it's a stonkingly good player, especially as it's £250 cheaper than the '991.

There's one HERE for £150, and i'm sure some will be about on Flea-bay for maybe a bit less.

 

[drummerman]

I hope the op has learned the lesson about 10 - 20 year old players. Ok to live a little bit nostalgia but personally I'd buy new. Any new player will be comparable. They may do one thing less well, others better but at least its new. It won't cost an arm and a leg either. The usual NAD, Marantz or Denon products should give adequate choice.

 

[Anonymous]

drummerman:I hope the op has learned the lesson about 10 - 20 year old players. Ok to live a little bit nostalgia but personally I'd buy new. Any new player will be comparable. They may do one thing less well, others better but at least its new. It won't cost an arm and a leg either. The usual NAD, Marantz or Denon products should give adequate choice.

I'd happily buy an older player again. It's simply a case of making sure that the transports etc are still available as spares.

 

[Vimeous]

Rob_manchester:

drummerman:I hope the op has learned the lesson about 10 - 20 year old players. Ok to live a little bit nostalgia but personally I'd buy new. Any new player will be comparable. They may do one thing less well, others better but at least its new. It won't cost an arm and a leg either. The usual NAD, Marantz or Denon products should give adequate choice.

I'd happily buy an older player again. It's simply a case of making sure that the transports etc are still available as spares.

Interesting points. I've found you can successfully buy second-hand even via eBay but I've been extremely picky about the auctions I've bid on and never bid more than the auction (not just the item) is worth. My AV amp, centre, rears and stands are all eBay sourced with a mix of ex-demo and well cared-for second-user backgrounds.

The issue with CD players and their ilk will always be the mechanical bits first although dry joints will creep in later. I have been told the Alpha 7 shares its mechanism with the later CD72 which supposedly isn't available. Hopefully Arcam will reply to my email and clarify if this is the case.

In the meantime I'll check out your suggestions.
With Rotel I've often read good things when they're paired with B&W speakers but what should I expect with the warm presentation of the Alpha 9 in the midst of proceedings? I'm unlikely to listen to a second-hand player in advance.
At least with Arcam I'm more confident of what to expect.

As for new. I might be able to squeeze £200 together so any amazing discounts I should be looking at?

 

[matthewpiano]

Marantz CD6002s were floating around at about £200 end-of-line. Not sure if its still possible to snag one but its a great player.