Hifi Q -- CD players, new or a good used one?
22 September 2005, 02:13 PM
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Hifi Q -- CD players, new or a good used one?
Looking for a CD player, how much better are the latest £200 - £250 players than the £300 - £400 players of a few years ago?
It's easy to get a good used £300-odd CD player from the mid / late 90s(Marantz CD63SE, Sony XE900, Arcam Alpha One) from eBay for less than 70 quid ... anyone got thoughts on how these would compare with a modern £200-ish player?
I'm not bothered about SACD etc. Music is mostly rock (not metal).
The CD player will partner a Sony TA-F246 amp / KEF Coda 8 / Ixos 104 interconnect / QED Qudos cable.
It's easy to get a good used £300-odd CD player from the mid / late 90s(Marantz CD63SE, Sony XE900, Arcam Alpha One) from eBay for less than 70 quid ... anyone got thoughts on how these would compare with a modern £200-ish player?
I'm not bothered about SACD etc. Music is mostly rock (not metal).
The CD player will partner a Sony TA-F246 amp / KEF Coda 8 / Ixos 104 interconnect / QED Qudos cable.
22 September 2005, 04:11 PM
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How about checking with your local branch of Audio T http://www.audiot.co.uk/
They have continuous sales of secondhand and ex-demo units, and you can get them to demo anything you're interested in so you can hear what it sounds like. They also offer warranty on secondhand and ex-demo items which is reassuring.
As an example I recently bought 2x Cyrus PSX-Rs from their ex-demo sale at £320 (each), which are supposed to be £400 (each) new. They look as-new and came with full warranty.
They have continuous sales of secondhand and ex-demo units, and you can get them to demo anything you're interested in so you can hear what it sounds like. They also offer warranty on secondhand and ex-demo items which is reassuring.
As an example I recently bought 2x Cyrus PSX-Rs from their ex-demo sale at £320 (each), which are supposed to be £400 (each) new. They look as-new and came with full warranty.
22 September 2005, 08:12 PM
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Brickboy,you ask the impossible question.Basically you have to listen to them to know.
I pondered the same thing recently and bought a £700 Marantz CD17,a top end CD player, brand new.I took it home and it sounded no better than my 12 year old Marantz CD41 (£230)so i took it back.My Pioneer 717 dvd player £70 off ebay even compares well.
I bought some S/H £600 mission speakers and they sound only slightly better than my 20 yr old Tannoys.Took them back too.
To answer your question,some s/hand £70 cd players will sound loads better than a new £200 one and some will sound worse,just dont ask me which.
What would i do,if you are strapped for cash get a s/hand one from a decent store.If not go out and buy a new one which you like the sound of and looks good.As for which is better or worse,life's too short.
I pondered the same thing recently and bought a £700 Marantz CD17,a top end CD player, brand new.I took it home and it sounded no better than my 12 year old Marantz CD41 (£230)so i took it back.My Pioneer 717 dvd player £70 off ebay even compares well.
I bought some S/H £600 mission speakers and they sound only slightly better than my 20 yr old Tannoys.Took them back too.
To answer your question,some s/hand £70 cd players will sound loads better than a new £200 one and some will sound worse,just dont ask me which.
What would i do,if you are strapped for cash get a s/hand one from a decent store.If not go out and buy a new one which you like the sound of and looks good.As for which is better or worse,life's too short.
22 September 2005, 09:45 PM
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Rather than spend x-hundred quid on new kit, I'd rather buy some better second-hand kit.
When I get my **** in gear I intend to move my old kit (Marantz CD-52, Denon PMA-350, Tannoy 605s) into the study/office and get some s/h kit for the lounge. Was thinking Arcam Alpha CD player, Audiolab 8000A amp (or maybe an 8000M and a P, or really go four it and get four monoblocs) and some Monitor Audio speakers. I've always wanted a pair of Rosemah Monitor Audios. I think I might go for new speakers, because they're mechanical and can wear out.
When I get my **** in gear I intend to move my old kit (Marantz CD-52, Denon PMA-350, Tannoy 605s) into the study/office and get some s/h kit for the lounge. Was thinking Arcam Alpha CD player, Audiolab 8000A amp (or maybe an 8000M and a P, or really go four it and get four monoblocs) and some Monitor Audio speakers. I've always wanted a pair of Rosemah Monitor Audios. I think I might go for new speakers, because they're mechanical and can wear out.
22 September 2005, 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by carl
Rather than spend x-hundred quid on new kit, I'd rather buy some better second-hand kit.
When I get my **** in gear I intend to move my old kit (Marantz CD-52, Denon PMA-350, Tannoy 605s) into the study/office and get some s/h kit for the lounge. Was thinking Arcam Alpha CD player, Audiolab 8000A amp (or maybe an 8000M and a P, or really go four it and get four monoblocs) and some Monitor Audio speakers. I've always wanted a pair of Rosemah Monitor Audios. I think I might go for new speakers, because they're mechanical and can wear out.
When I get my **** in gear I intend to move my old kit (Marantz CD-52, Denon PMA-350, Tannoy 605s) into the study/office and get some s/h kit for the lounge. Was thinking Arcam Alpha CD player, Audiolab 8000A amp (or maybe an 8000M and a P, or really go four it and get four monoblocs) and some Monitor Audio speakers. I've always wanted a pair of Rosemah Monitor Audios. I think I might go for new speakers, because they're mechanical and can wear out.
Now made in China and cheaper than when last available.
www.audiolab.co.uk
22 September 2005, 10:50 PM
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I thought Audiolab became Tag-McLaren Audio?
Edit: just looked at the website and it explains everything. Pretty easy to tell the difference though -- the new stuff is silver; the old stuff was grey with that font we thought looked futuristic in the 70s...
Edit: just looked at the website and it explains everything. Pretty easy to tell the difference though -- the new stuff is silver; the old stuff was grey with that font we thought looked futuristic in the 70s...
Last edited by carl; 22 September 2005 at 10:53 PM.
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22 September 2005, 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by carl
I thought Audiolab became Tag-McLaren Audio?
Edit: just looked at the website and it explains everything. Pretty easy to tell the difference though -- the new stuff is silver; the old stuff was grey with that font we thought looked futuristic in the 70s...
Edit: just looked at the website and it explains everything. Pretty easy to tell the difference though -- the new stuff is silver; the old stuff was grey with that font we thought looked futuristic in the 70s...
My local dealer is going to tell me when it's in 'cos I'm thinking of getting an 8000p to go with my 8000a for biamping.
22 September 2005, 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Vegescoob
They're going to do black as well.
My local dealer is going to tell me when it's in 'cos I'm thinking of getting an 8000p to go with my 8000a for biamping.
My local dealer is going to tell me when it's in 'cos I'm thinking of getting an 8000p to go with my 8000a for biamping.
22 September 2005, 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by carl
Aren't you better off using the pre-amp stage of the 8000a (which makes it a q effectively) and then a pair of 8000m (one for left, one for right) rather than a pair of 8000p for bi-amping? I can't really remember all this stuff.
8000a for treble, 1x 8000p for bass.
You have to go inside 8000a to sort but phonos are there on backpanel.
23 September 2005, 05:14 AM
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Hi
I have a very nice, mint Arcam CD72 for sale, cost me circa £300 a couple of years ago, i will be putting it on e-bay when i get around to it.
Paul
I have a very nice, mint Arcam CD72 for sale, cost me circa £300 a couple of years ago, i will be putting it on e-bay when i get around to it.
Paul
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