CDP For Headphone Set-Up

[Sizzers]

Hello expert people; I need your help!

Amongst other things, I have a pair of Grado SR80i's and a Pro-Ject Head Box Mk II headphone amp, neither of which I'm looking to change anytime soon. However, I would like some advice on a CDP to better compliment these.

Maximum spend is £250, and would appreciate any suggestions on a CDP that will give a tight and detailed sound as possible.

Thanks in advance peeps!

 

[PJPro]

Err, why not forget the CDP and investigate PC based audio?

 

[Sizzers]

I'm old fashioned and want the physical entity of my music. God, how I miss the thrill of going out and buying a 12" disc of vinyl with all the goodies inside! (you can't fit a poster in a CD case, and nor can you read the lyrics!)

Seriously, though, and not it any way denigrading people who are in to DAC's, PC and streamed music, I need something to physically hold (puny as the CD is!) Anyway, top of my list so far is a Marantz CD6003 so anything else I should be maybe auditioning?

 

[PJPro]

OK. Have you considered using your Bluray player coupled with a DAC. Then, when you migrate into PC based audio, you'll have already taken a step in the right direction ;-)

 

[Sizzers]

But I'm not looking to migrate! I want (and will buy) a CDP for a headphone set-up to get a truly wonderful sound, after which (6 months?) I will add an amp and upgrade my speakers. So can we forget the hard drives and look at CDP's? lol

 

[Anonymous]

The Marantz is a good place to start looking at, but if you could stretch your budget a bit, the rega apollo is an outstanding CDP for the money.

you could look at one of the arcams, some of the models go cheapish and you might find a good deal. I forget which one is their base model, but good deals are about.

 

[Sizzers]

Apollo way out my price range,but thanks anyway. Picked up on their Ear headphone amp, though, which I'm investigating.

 

[shooter]

How about Marantz CD6003 @ Richer Sounds. £250 and great reviews.

 

[Gopi]

Another plus for the Marantz is that it provides a headphone out with its own volume control unlike other players at this cost. I see that you are using Project Headbox. But for a Grado (as its easier to drive) Marantz might be good or even better. So, lesser boxes.

Another plus is that if you are having an ipod then you can use internal the DAC of Marantz to play them in your system.

 

[John Duncan]

I'd def go with the Marantz - nothing to touch it around the 250 quid mark, I'd say, since Cambridge went upmarket price-wise.

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO the NAD C545BEE world be worth looking at as well and I'm sure you could get it at close to your budget.

Have you also considered 2nd hand via eBay?

The Arcam DiVA CD72 and Arcam Alpha 9 CDP would be worth looking at as well

 

[Sizzers]

JohnDuncan:I'd def go with the Marantz - nothing to touch it around the 250 quid mark, I'd say, since Cambridge went upmarket price-wise.

Sounds good to me, thanks!. Been struggling to come up with any real alternatives to check out to be honest. Just got to find myself an audition which might be a bit trickybut will have to see what I can do.