Vintage cd player recommendations

[Burt25]

I’m looking to buy a second cd player potentially to use as a transport but ideally with a decent sounding DAC. I want to buy vintage 80s or 90s machine at £100-£150 and considering Marantz cd75 or cd67.

I’m assuming the earlier machines are potentially better as transports given the machines in the mid-late 80s were renowned for build quality and better power supplies than later models?

Would appreciate any recommendations.

 

[Al ears]

I’m looking to buy a second cd player potentially to use as a transport but ideally with a decent sounding DAC. I want to buy vintage 80s or 90s machine at £100-£150 and considering Marantz cd75 or cd67.

I’m assuming the earlier machines are potentially better as transports given the machines in the mid-late 80s were renowned for build quality and better power supplies than later models?

Would appreciate any recommendations.

Unfortunately belts and lasers do fail in older models, if using as a transport you take your chances second-hand or buy cheap new.

 

[RoA]

Yes, not a great idea.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I’m looking to buy a second cd player potentially to use as a transport but ideally with a decent sounding DAC. I want to buy vintage 80s or 90s machine at £100-£150 and considering Marantz cd75 or cd67.

I’m assuming the earlier machines are potentially better as transports given the machines in the mid-late 80s were renowned for build quality and better power supplies than later models?

Would appreciate any recommendations.

Do you particularly want one that old for the retro look? If you are just looking for a good CD player for the budget, a Marantz CD4000 for £50-£100 or CD6000 for around £100. They have a great DAC chip so no need to use external DAC.

 

[Leon74]

I tried a modern Marantz and Denon cd player (with matching amps) Didn't like the sound a bit, too smooth, too vinyl like.
So I went looking for cd players from the nineties as I already had an Akai from that time that sounds extremely good. That's the Akai CD 27. The Akai CD 37 sounds identical.
I also bought a Yamaha cdx 500. Great sound, too. Very close to the sound of the Akai.

Or you can buy a new one, the Yamaha CD-S303. The same splendid sound as the players named above.

You'll love the sound, and you will want to use them as a real cd player, not as a transport.

Make sure you get some kind of guarantee or can return the player if it is faulty.
My second hand Akai seemed to be faulty, but using a cleaning CD several times solved the problem.

 

[matthewpianist]

I've got a few lying around. My Sony CDP770 and CDP990 are both unpredictable, as is the Technics SL-PG590A (which has actually had a new belt and laser). I have a Philips CD104 which has the CDM1 transport, and it works perfectly other than the drawer sometimes needs a push to go that last little bit in. My Rotel RCD-965BX works perfectly, and I have a NAD C5425 which works flawlessly - probably the best of the lot.

Older CD players are a real mixed bag - after all, it's a mechanical device, subject to wear and tear. Even if you buy with a new belt and laser fitted, you don't know the quality of the parts used, or whether they've actually been fitted properly. Generally, I find those based on Philips transports (Philips, Marantz, Rotel etc.) tougher than the Sony-based ones.

 

[manicm]

I've got a few lying around. My Sony CDP770 and CDP990 are both unpredictable, as is the Technics SL-PG590A (which has actually had a new belt and laser). I have a Philips CD104 which has the CDM1 transport, and it works perfectly other than the drawer sometimes needs a push to go that last little bit in. My Rotel RCD-965BX works perfectly, and I have a NAD C5425 which works flawlessly - probably the best of the lot.

Older CD players are a real mixed bag - after all, it's a mechanical device, subject to wear and tear. Even if you buy with a new belt and laser fitted, you don't know the quality of the parts used, or whether they've actually been fitted properly. Generally, I find those based on Philips transports (Philips, Marantz, Rotel etc.) tougher than the Sony-based ones.

Turntables are more serviceable like that. And thus actually more reliable. A trade-off.

 

[Al ears]

Turntables are more serviceable like that. And thus actually more reliable. A trade-off.

But a tad useless for playing CDs.....
🙂

 

[record_spot]

Bought loads over the years and generally, no complaints. Beyond the two models you mention, also consider Sony CDP-911E, or Kenwood's DP-5090, both of which should be on or under your budget and both very good.