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The Best Changer Made???

TAGO MAGO

TAGO MAGO

Super Member
I tonight I decided to test out my audio karma after unloading a bunch of equipment and swing by the old Goodwill and on their shelves was a pretty clean looking Pioneer PD-M6 cd changer. I am not usually much of a changer person, although this thing was full of features, quite heavy and came with a single play cartridge. They had it priced at a nice low $5.95 because it apparently was not reading discs. This was confirmed when I put the disc in, as I always have in single play machines, label up. I think, well it does not work, but hey for a fiver, what do I have to loose.

I get it apart on the dining room table and first thing I notice is this unit is as well built as some of their mid-70's receivers with a full metal chassis and a transport mostly of metal with some plastic used for gears and guides. I am a bit intrigued on how exactly this disc is read and then I took a look at the tray that read "insert disc label side down." I run and get a CD-R since if a player from 1986 can read a CD-R without any problems, it will read anything. Sure enough, it not only works, but it works flawlessly and sounds spectacular. I don't care what sort of flack old players get, this unit sounds full and clear--and it's a changer!!!!

All I need now is to get some of the 6-disc magazines, the remote and the owners manual, because this thing is mint!!!
 
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Ooh, that's a good score. Well done, and good on you for taking a look beyond a cursory glance. If you're willing to take the chance and do the research, then you deserve it. :)
 
My first real CD player was my dads old Magnavox from 1986. After that went I upgraded to a Sony CDP-510 from 87 and now I have moved to the early 90's with a Dennon DCD-1500.

Nothing wrong with an older player IMHO. They sure beat the pants off of cheep DVD players. :thmbsp:
 
I'd be interested to see what is considered the best cd changer. Did Pioneer have any Elite changers?
 
TAGO MAGO said:
I tonight I decided to test out my audio karma after unloading a bunch of equipment and swing by the old Goodwill and on their shelves was a pretty clean looking Pioneer PD-M6 cd changer. I am not usually much of a changer person, although this thing was full of features, quite heavy and came with a single play cartridge. They had it priced at a nice low $5.95 because it apparently was not reading discs. This was confirmed when I put the disc in, as I always have in single play machines, label up. I think, well it does not work, but hey for a fiver, what do I have to loose.

I get it apart on the dining room table and first thing I notice is this unit is as well built as some of their mid-70's receivers with a full metal chassis and a transport mostly of metal with some plastic used for gears and guides. I am a bit intrigued on how exactly this disc is read and then I took a look at the tray that read "insert disc label side down." I run and get a CD-R since if a player from 1986 can read a CD-R without any problems, it will read anything. Sure enough, it not only works, but it works flawlessly and sounds spectacular. I don't care what sort of flack old players get, this unit sounds full and clear--and it's a changer!!!!

All I need now is to get some of the 6-disc magazines, the remote and the owners manual, because this thing is mint!!!
Click to expand...

That was my first CD player, and I've had a lot of the PD-Ms since (I think the other #s were PDM-60, 500, 530, 600, 426, and two of the Denon DCM-444s). It's a solid player that's pretty durable, but it was the worst-sounding of the PD-M players I've had - they get much better.

je
 
I think I declared it the best changer since it was the only one that has ever worked correctly and reliably. I had a Sony 10 disc cartridge that had some very serious issues (and a unnecessarily complicated mechanism) with discs getting stuck and random skipping. Most of the carousel changers I have had were terrible including a Sony, a JVC, an Onkyo an amazingly a NAD which I expected to be much better. I usually have a moratorium on changers, although I like Pioneer, it was in good condition and I remember a friend having a much later and cheaper Pioneer changer that never missed a beat. All I need now is the remote control.
 
TAGO MAGO said:
I think I declared it the best changer since it was the only one that has ever worked correctly and reliably. I had a Sony 10 disc cartridge that had some very serious issues (and a unnecessarily complicated mechanism) with discs getting stuck and random skipping. Most of the carousel changers I have had were terrible including a Sony, a JVC, an Onkyo an amazingly a NAD which I expected to be much better. I usually have a moratorium on changers, although I like Pioneer, it was in good condition and I remember a friend having a much later and cheaper Pioneer changer that never missed a beat. All I need now is the remote control.
Click to expand...

Have you looked to see what the correct Pioneer part # should be for that remote?

je
 
I have a Mac MCD-205 changer. It's not the best but it sure sounds sweet to me. It uses the Nakamichi stacker. It will play single disc or you can load 5 in it.

Mike
 
Nice pickup especially for under six clams! The Dual, Pioneer Elite, and Sony ES Changers were extremely nice, but I think Nakamichi produced the top changers ever.

The Music Bank System that is currently utilized in the McIntosh was taken to the extreme with the Nakamichi 1000mb (1991) and Nakamichi DRAGON-CD/DAC Limited (1995) CD Changers. Both are impressive feats of engineering and the first true audiophile CD Changers ever produced. They were also extremely expensive as the 1000mb had an MSRP over $6000.00 and the DRAGON-CD was $9700.00. The 1000p DAC was an additional $6000.00+ and the DRAGON-DAC was an additional $5000.00. Both are rare to come by as only 200 of the DRAGON Limited systems were produced worldwide and I would assume that the 1000 Series gear is very low in production numbers as well.

NakamichiDragonCD-DAC1000MB.jpg


62c406d5.jpg


Nakamichi1000Series-03.jpg


DragonComplete-02.jpg


I posted up some more info on the 1000mb HERE. I guess I should get something posted up further on the DRAGON setup.

Regards,
TB
 
I just picked up a Pioneer PD-M730 CDP ... it's a heavy beast with TONS of features I'm still waiting to try it out but with soon enough with (Jess's) Pioneervato's help... tracking down those cartridges is a pain but I'm very hopeful that this unit is much better than my sony dvd player .... The build quality is superb ... all copper screws big waffle print bottom cover and all metal construction ... Any thoughts on this player?
 
Tago Mago,
I was in my local thrift yesterday and saw a box with several Pioneer cassettes for a CD changer. Don't know if they are the ones that fit your unit, but if you are interested I could swing by today and pick them up for you. Don't recall a price, but I'm sure they were CHEAP. PM me.
Bob
 
cason said:
Tago Mago,
I was in my local thrift yesterday and saw a box with several Pioneer cassettes for a CD changer. Don't know if they are the ones that fit your unit, but if you are interested I could swing by today and pick them up for you. Don't recall a price, but I'm sure they were CHEAP. PM me.
Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer but I have some en route to me as we speak .... Thanks Pioneervato:thmbsp:
 
cason said:
Tago Mago,
I was in my local thrift yesterday and saw a box with several Pioneer cassettes for a CD changer. Don't know if they are the ones that fit your unit, but if you are interested I could swing by today and pick them up for you. Don't recall a price, but I'm sure they were CHEAP. PM me.
Bob
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, I am bidding on some off of Ebay (someone has 23 up for bid!!) as well as buying two yesterday from the same thrift which I can only assume were supposed to be sold with mine....oh well.
 
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