Looking to purchase a new CD player
- Thread starter Billiam1962
- Start date
Bahamayellow
Super Member
I really like my marantz cd-5005. They are 399 new with a 3 year warranty. Mines still going strong 3 years later.
Billiam1962
Member
Thanks for the additional suggestions. I will spend some time researching some of these units over the next couple of weeks before I make a decision.
Billiam1962
Member
I noted the weight of the Onkyo C7030 is at least twice as much as the NAD and Yamaha CD players. Does the Onkyo use a different power supply? Can't imagine why there is such a disparity in weight. Also wondering if the NAD and Yamaha units use a newer type of power supply which would result in less weight in the unit?
MannyE
Exterminate!
Extra weight can be from a more robust power supply or from additional metal shielding or even just because they are using less plastic and more metal in the construction. Generally heavier means better. Generally.
Kyocerafan
Active Member
Emotiva CD-100 is $299. Should be well worth that. Three year warranty. 30 day trial.
I was going to suggest if you could stretch to $500, that their ERC-3 is splendid. But is suddenly $600. And presently sold out.
The Onkyo C7030 has been on my wish list for awhile. Debatable reliability record. I'd be careful where I bought it. And consider a good extended warranty. Supposed to sound very good, though. My Onkyo DX-C390 changer has been fine and sounds good.
I was going to suggest if you could stretch to $500, that their ERC-3 is splendid. But is suddenly $600. And presently sold out.
The Onkyo C7030 has been on my wish list for awhile. Debatable reliability record. I'd be careful where I bought it. And consider a good extended warranty. Supposed to sound very good, though. My Onkyo DX-C390 changer has been fine and sounds good.
musichal
poet emeritus
My choice from those listed by the OP would be Yamaha for reliability. My personal rule for decades has been that if there are moving parts, avoid NAD. They always seemed to develop early functional issues with TTs, cassette decks and CD players. Yamaha seems to do it well; they can build anything. May not be the sexiest choice, but probably will work for years without issues. Just my own opinion, not carved in stone.
Billiam1962
Member
Thanks for the added responses. I bought a NAD CD player in 2000. It had a one year warranty. Bit the dust about two weeks after the warranty expired. Just stopped working. I've heard they have improved the reliability of the NAD models in recent years and they no longer have major issues with moving parts except that some units still have issues with the tray not working properly after a while.
The only real concern I have with the Onkyo model is that a lot of reviewers claim it will skip on a lot of CD's even if you walk near it while it is playing. Had a similar problem with a Cambridge Audio CD player I bought in 2003. Replaced the NAD in fact.
I have a Yamaha S300 which is currently working fine. But I am wondering if that by buying a different model for my second system, I will see an improvement in the playback quality of some of the CD's I own. Or perhaps I should say a bit of a different sound?
I just dug out a cheap Teac CDP 1250 that I've owned for almost 20 years to use while I decide which new CD player to buy. Doesn't sound that bad even when up against the Yamaha. Perhaps if this tides me over for a few months, I can scrape up a little more money to use towards a CD player that is the next step up from the entry level. Might be able to budget around $500 if I am lucky but I won't know for a couple of months.
The only real concern I have with the Onkyo model is that a lot of reviewers claim it will skip on a lot of CD's even if you walk near it while it is playing. Had a similar problem with a Cambridge Audio CD player I bought in 2003. Replaced the NAD in fact.
I have a Yamaha S300 which is currently working fine. But I am wondering if that by buying a different model for my second system, I will see an improvement in the playback quality of some of the CD's I own. Or perhaps I should say a bit of a different sound?
I just dug out a cheap Teac CDP 1250 that I've owned for almost 20 years to use while I decide which new CD player to buy. Doesn't sound that bad even when up against the Yamaha. Perhaps if this tides me over for a few months, I can scrape up a little more money to use towards a CD player that is the next step up from the entry level. Might be able to budget around $500 if I am lucky but I won't know for a couple of months.
Billiam1962
Member
I've been told the new NAC C538 CD player has a newer Wolfson DAC which I would imagine is an improvement over the 516Bee. Waiting to see if any professional reviews show up along with user reviews before I decide which CD player to purchase.
Tim64
Super Member
Buy it where you can get the extended warranty I think max is 4 years. Mine died shortly after the factory warranty expired and mine was sensitive to vibration as in walking to the extreme.
Billiam1962
Member
Tim. That makes sense if I can get an extended warranty. Did you purchase it? Many people that have compared the Onkyo 7030 to the more expensive Yamaha and NAD models think it sounds every bit as good. I think I'd have to spend at least $500 or more to see even a small improvement in the audio quality and probably more if I want to find a unit that won't potentially have mechanical flaws or other problems. A real crap shoot when you buy entry level gear in terms of the reliability.
Also, when did you purchase your unit? I've read that they've changed the DAC in the Onkyo and it now uses the same one as the the entry level Pioneer CD player. AK or something like that and NOT the Wolfson now. Happened a couple of years ago. Wondering how this impacts the sound?
Also, when did you purchase your unit? I've read that they've changed the DAC in the Onkyo and it now uses the same one as the the entry level Pioneer CD player. AK or something like that and NOT the Wolfson now. Happened a couple of years ago. Wondering how this impacts the sound?
grillebilly
Empty Head
C-7030 is a bargain. Buy it from a reputable dealer and if it gives you a problem send it back. I have ordered 3 and did get one that skipped. Sent it back and am listening to it right now.
I used to not like CD's, much preferred records due to the "harsh" sound cd's had. The Onkyo changed all that is a big way.
I used to not like CD's, much preferred records due to the "harsh" sound cd's had. The Onkyo changed all that is a big way.
Billiam1962
Member
People really rave about the Onkyo 7030. I have a Tube amp and after swapping out the pre amp tube, I don't hear any harsh sound even from CD's now unless I turn up the treble on the pre amp on poorly recorded CD's. Some stuff I have from the 60's is pretty bad quality but sounds a lot better with tubes.
Billiam1962
Member
I'm seeing a lot of reviews on Amazon from people that said skipping is a real problem. I am wondering if Amazon gets B stock or returns from Onkyo and then resells as allegedly being new units? I will check some other sites like Crutchfield to see if about the same percentage of reviewers as Amazon reviewers are claiming they have this problem.
7.62
Infinity nutcase.
Do you believe everything you read on the internet ?
You've got plenty of guys here including myself that are having a lot of fun with the 7030, if your that worried it's gonna die, skip whatever, hell any machine can do that regardless of cost. It's not like your out 1000's of dollars.
Just sayin.
You've got plenty of guys here including myself that are having a lot of fun with the 7030, if your that worried it's gonna die, skip whatever, hell any machine can do that regardless of cost. It's not like your out 1000's of dollars.
Just sayin.
