The 'best' CD players of the last 10+ years?

[podknocker]

To be frank you are probably better off buying a new DVD or bluray player for that sort of money.

The Sony UBP-X800M2 is silent, built like a tank and will play any codec and format, on any disc, apart from CD ROMs, but you'd expect that. What's not to like? I had the Mk1 version and it did sound decent even though I played it through a terrible Quad Vena 2 amp and even more terrible Wharfedale speakers and as a bonus, the picture quality is fantastic. I'm tempted to buy the new one and see if it shines through my current system. You can buy worse players and for much more money.

 

[AJM1981]

I haven’t really played Cd’s recently. My beliefs in a “good system” are not that high. My father used to own a Rotel. It was heavy and had these skip-preventing stabilising features. But honestly, it was just a heavy CD player in the category… ‘people believe that heavier is better’. And it was, funny as it might sound, one of the most problematic CD-players I came across during the years.

If your home is not a car and not exposed to mild earthquakes from time to time, I think there is no single need for an over-the-top CD player when it is positioned on a solid piece of furniture.

The only part I consider important is how it sounds and if there is no added noise. Most cheaper systems than Rotel builds are capable of doing well.

I currently have an old PS3 for when I need a SA CD or CD. That is ok. My streamer is working just fine.

 

[plastic penguin]

For an affordable player my Exposure CD 2010 is hard to beat. Wonderful treble and bass definition and detail that rivalled the previous CDP: £1100 Electrocompaniet. Above all else it has incredible musicality.

 

[Al ears]

For an affordable player my Exposure CD 2010 is hard to beat. Wonderful treble and bass definition and detail that rivalled the previous CDP: £1100 Electrocompaniet. Above all else it has incredible musicality.

Interesting considering what WHF said about it.
Don't think you'll find one for the OPs budget though.... Could be wrong....

 

[podknocker]

I found the review of the 2010S2 and it doesn't get much praise:

Home review

As exciting and flamboyant as it is, the 2010S2 has too many caveats when it comes to dynamics and cohesiveness for us to recommend it over rivals

www.whathifi.com

It's another example of solid build quality and great aesthetics, let down by a lack of expertise where it counts. The buttons will last an eternity, but you can't listen to it.

 

[podknocker]

One of the finest Sony CD players ever and made in 1993

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTkKjbjsaWs

 

[nightanddaygamechangers]

For an affordable player my Exposure CD 2010 is hard to beat. Wonderful treble and bass definition and detail that rivalled the previous CDP: £1100 Electrocompaniet. Above all else it has incredible musicality.

https://studio-hifi.com/images/EXP2010s2Dcombo_Hi-Fi%20Choice%202015-09.pdf

Hi~Fi Choice certainly like the S2 version. Ultimately this and the WHF review are just an opinion.

 

[Al ears]

https://studio-hifi.com/images/EXP2010s2Dcombo_Hi-Fi%20Choice%202015-09.pdf

Hi~Fi Choice certainly like the S2 version. Ultimately this and the WHF review are just an opinion.

Exactly, and WHF didn't so even more reason to audition yourself and make up your own mind.
A lot will depend on the system said CDP is being used or reviewed in.

 

[plastic penguin]

https://studio-hifi.com/images/EXP2010s2Dcombo_Hi-Fi%20Choice%202015-09.pdf

Hi~Fi Choice certainly like the S2 version. Ultimately this and the WHF review are just an opinion.

My one is from circa 2004 but that doesn't detract from sound quality. Like Leema Exposure are sorely overlooked, but they better most equipment within their respective price bracket. And they are both small independent hi-fi businesses, becoming rarer by the year.

 

[plastic penguin]

Interesting considering what WHF said about it.
Don't think you'll find one for the OPs budget though.... Could be wrong....

WHF gave it 4 stars, none too shabby me thinks. Are you thinking of the S2 model?

 

[nightanddaygamechangers]

My one is from circa 2004 but that doesn't detract from sound quality. Like Leema Exposure are sorely overlooked, but they better most equipment within their respective price bracket. And they are both small independent hi-fi businesses, becoming rarer by the year.

Their 2510 and 3510 integrated amps have been on my radar for quite some time. I particularly like the fact they’re just an amp. The 3510 doesn’t even have a phono preamp, which is now something I’ll never need.

Have you seen the new Leema pre and power combo?

 

[Oxfordian]

Their 2510 and 3510 integrated amps have been on my radar for quite some time. I particularly like the fact they’re just an amp. The 3510 doesn’t even have a phono preamp, which is now something I’ll never need.

Have you seen the new Leema pre and power combo?

Exposure is on my radar too, quite a 3510 pre power set up, no specific reason just like the idea of a combo.

On the Leema gear, seen a couple of highlights on YT but there is nothing on Leema’s website which is a bit odd. Unless it’s me doing something wrong - probably.

 

[nightanddaygamechangers]

Exposure is on my radar too, quite a 3510 pre power set up, no specific reason just like the idea of a combo.

On the Leema gear, seen a couple of highlights on YT but there is nothing on Leema’s website which is a bit odd. Unless it’s me doing something wrong - probably.

The Exposure pre/power combo is certainly very nice, but probably overkill for my room.

I had a look at the Leema website too. Nothing on the new products. Based on how old their most recent news item was, and it says 2015 in the footer, I don’t think marketing is their strong suit.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Exposure pre/power combo is certainly very nice, but probably overkill for my room.

I had a look at the Leema website too. Nothing on the new products. Based on how old their most recent news item was, and it says 2015 in the footer, I don’t think marketing is their strong suit.

Exposure are excellent based on my CDP. Always overlooked.

Leema PR might not be up to other companies but their amps still punch above their weight, although I've not heard their CDPs, Dacs or speakers, so can't comment on those.

 

[plastic penguin]

Their 2510 and 3510 integrated amps have been on my radar for quite some time. I particularly like the fact they’re just an amp. The 3510 doesn’t even have a phono preamp, which is now something I’ll never need.

Have you seen the new Leema pre and power combo?

Don't think many people, outside of exhibitions, have seen the new pre/power combo.

 

[Jasonovich]

My most recent CD Players were second hand purchases and I only kept to two brands (Denon & Marantz) which I know I can trust, in terms of reliability and sound quality.
However, since my purchase of Atoll IN100SE, I've also been looking at their CD player Cd400SE, which is believed to have an excellent sound quality.
Just look at that beefy toroid power supply and I love the clean simple minimalistic look; what can I say, it's French

 

[JDL]

My most recent CD Players were second hand purchases and I only kept to two brands (Denon & Marantz) which I know I can trust, in terms of reliability and sound quality.
However, since my purchase of Atoll IN100SE, I've also been looking at their CD player Cd400SE, which is believed to have an excellent sound quality.
Just look at that beefy toroid power supply and I love the clean simple minimalistic look; what can I say, it's French

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Wow, that looks beautiful. I will say I prefer a more traditional case shape.
How much is one of those gonna set one back?

 

[Oxfordian]

My most recent CD Players were second hand purchases and I only kept to two brands (Denon & Marantz) which I know I can trust, in terms of reliability and sound quality.
However, since my purchase of Atoll IN100SE, I've also been looking at their CD player Cd400SE, which is believed to have an excellent sound quality.
Just look at that beefy toroid power supply and I love the clean simple minimalistic look; what can I say, it's French

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I have to say that the Atoll CD is stunning, never really considered the brand but I will now, really nice bit of kit.

 

[Al ears]

Wow, that looks beautiful. I will say I prefer a more traditional case shape.
How much is one of those gonna set one back?

£5400, slightly outside of the OPs budget....

 

[Oxfordian]

£5400, slightly outside of the OPs budget....

Outside my budget as well, still there's always the lottery

 

[Jasonovich]

Wow, that looks beautiful. I will say I prefer a more traditional case shape.
How much is one of those gonna set one back?

OMG!
AI is correct about the price.
£5K from Doug Brady.

I honestly thought it would be around £2K the most

This will have to be an eBay job, I managed to get their second hand amp for £800 but I suspect it's going to be many years I need to wait for the price to depreciate, before I can even contemplate buying second hand.

 

[Al ears]

OMG!
AI is correct about the price.
£5K from Doug Brady.

I honestly thought it would be around £2K the most

This will have to be an eBay job, I managed to get their second hand amp for £800 but I suspect it's going to be many years I need to wait for the price to depreciate, before I can even contemplate buying second hand.

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Yes, I rounded it up by a £1 didn't think it would make too much difference....
However, you are right, very nicely constructed. Would I be able to tell the difference between this and my Oppo 105?
Guess I will never find out.....
I would also never pay this for a pure CD player, it would have to do SACD as well

 

[DougK1]

My most recent CD Players were second hand purchases and I only kept to two brands (Denon & Marantz) which I know I can trust, in terms of reliability and sound quality.
However, since my purchase of Atoll IN100SE, I've also been looking at their CD player Cd400SE, which is believed to have an excellent sound quality.
Just look at that beefy toroid power supply and I love the clean simple minimalistic look; what can I say, it's French

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Wow! That is fugly! Sorry Jason

 

[manicm]

The new Hegel Viking CD player is also 5k, and it only plays CDs, nothing else.

And I have no problem with that, as many turntables cost far more. And considering my sizable CD collection which is still growing, I'd consider it an investment, more so than any streamer.

It also looks marvellous, being a slot loader.

 

[Gray]

Wow! That is fugly! Sorry Jason

As is so often the way with expensive stuff.