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Newer, cheap CD player vs old high-end?

E

Extelleron

New Member
Hello... I currently own a Mcintosh MCD7000 player which I purchased when it was new, unfortunately The drive no longer opens (it has not worked well for years, but I had been able to open it by pressing the button and then pressing in on the drive - but that no longer works.) I'm not sure how much it would cost to get fixed at Mcintosh but I'm thinking it may not be worth it? Because I heard the laser is not replaceable if that goes, so I'm thinking spending a lot fixing it could backfire.

Anyway, I've been looking at newer models (I cannot afford a new mcintosh model or other high end player) and saw the marantz cd5003/5004 that are supposedly decent for around $350. I'm wondering how you think something like that would compare to the mcd7000? Obviously the 7000 was great when I bought it but I'm thinking a decent player 25 years later must be better? Would this player be reasonable to pair with a 80s mcintosh system (mc2500, c33, thiel cs3.6)? Thanks.
 
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spare yourself a lot of grief (and reading through dozens of threads here) and get a new NAD C515BEE, you will love it and it's just $300.
 
If your system is so revealing, I wouldn´t recommend you a cheap CDP or DVDP. IMHO, you should look for something better, at least a Cambridge Audio 640 C v2 or better (you could perhaps find them new on sale since this model has been replaced by the 650).
 
I've been doing some comparisons between my JVC media player (CD/DVD/VCD) and several decent CD players, but any differences are really hard to detect.
 
These days, I can't justify more than $100 on a CD player, especially when you can use your computer instead, if you're so minded. Alternatively you could try repairing the drawer yourself. It's likelty to be only a lubrication issue.
 
I'd have your existing CD player evaluated by a McIntosh technician before deciding to get a new one. For me, it would take a Rega Saturn to even come close to one of these.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
I'd have your existing CD player evaluated by a McIntosh technician before deciding to get a new one. For me, it would take a Rega Saturn to even come close to one of these.
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I second this advice! Get your Mac restored to original specs.
 
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It's very possible that the closing problem is just a belt that you can replace yourself quite cheaply. I had a Denon that did the same thing... replacing the belt took a minute or two and didn't even have to open the cover (it was under the drawer)
 
Awhile ago I read an article where newer, low end DVD/CD players were compared against older high end CD players. The newer ones did surprisingly well and they attributed it to advanced electronic control of the newer players. Basically, what was considered high end electronic control years ago is common place in today's players.
 
That CDP is not a car so you can probably call and find out something about why it is not working. Belt, Lube, Other. Whatever, you might not get a complete diagnosis but some idea and maybe a ball park price. Not like a car where any problem discussed on the phone is answered "Bring it in we'll take a look at it." If nothing else you will restore its value if it is working properly.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
I'd have your existing CD player evaluated by a McIntosh technician before deciding to get a new one. For me, it would take a Rega Saturn to even come close to one of these.
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I also agree with this advice. Those old McIntosh players were built to last and sounded magnificent. If you were to buy a cheap new player, you'd probably find the build quality very disappointing.

I can't agree with ambient's advice to look at NAD. I like NAD's electronics, but had no end of grief with two of their CD players. They visited my workbench so often that I eventually gave up on them in disgust and scrapped them both.
 
When you buy an expensive digital player, you're mostly paying for two things: Build quality (including cosmetics), and the opportunity to be a couple of years (plus or minus) ahead of the mid-price players in incorporating improved digital technology. You're not going to get McIntosh build quality in a new low- or mid-priced player (I've seen their players and toured their factory), but you're likely to get better sound. voltcontrol's suggestion may be the best one.
 
RichPA said:
When you buy an expensive digital player, you're mostly paying for two things: Build quality (including cosmetics), and the opportunity to be a couple of years (plus or minus) ahead of the mid-price players in incorporating improved digital technology. You're not going to get McIntosh build quality in a new low- or mid-priced player (I've seen their players and toured their factory), but you're likely to get better sound. voltcontrol's suggestion may be the best one.
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Build quality really isn't as big a deal nowadays as DVD/CD players are so inexpensive. A person can buy 10, or more, mid range players for one high end player and there is one thing you can count on with both of them.... they will be obsolete in no time. Buying high end means that in a few years even the Walmart special player will out perform it.
 
OldJBL said:
Build quality really isn't as big a deal nowadays as DVD/CD players are so inexpensive. A person can buy 10, or more, mid range players for one high end player and there is one thing you can count on with both of them.... they will be obsolete in no time. Buying high end means that in a few years even the Walmart special player will out perform it.
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I wouldn't be so sure about this. IF this was true, then why did the last cassette players, for example, NEVER equal the best Revox or Nak players from a decade previous. You would THINK they would be better, but it was not the case.

AGE has nothing to do with it. Quality is quality, and there is no getting around TOTL units despite them being older. I use older units in my system with perfect results. If older was bad why do so many look for older LP12 turntables to buy and use?

Fix the Mac. Most likely belts which are easy to get and you keep it. And not have to buy a cheap piece of junk.
 
RichPA said:
When you buy an expensive digital player, you're mostly paying for two things: Build quality (including cosmetics), and the opportunity to be a couple of years (plus or minus) ahead of the mid-price players in incorporating improved digital technology. You're not going to get McIntosh build quality in a new low- or mid-priced player (I've seen their players and toured their factory), but you're likely to get better sound. voltcontrol's suggestion may be the best one.
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I also like voltcontrol's idea, though I'll temper it a bit by suggesting that the OP conduct a home audition by borrowing a DAC from his dealer or buying from a seller with a liberal return policy. If memory serves, the McIntosh CD player used the Philips TDA1541 dual 16-bit DAC chip with the Philips 4x digital filter and a discrete component analog filter after the DAC. That Philips DAC is still highly respected today, unlike the Bitstream DACs that Philips used in their own players starting in the early 1990s.
 
blackfly said:
I wouldn't be so sure about this. IF this was true, then why did the last cassette players, for example, NEVER equal the best Revox or Nak players from a decade previous. You would THINK they would be better, but it was not the case.

AGE has nothing to do with it. Quality is quality, and there is no getting around TOTL units despite them being older. I use older units in my system with perfect results. If older was bad why do so many look for older LP12 turntables to buy and use?

Fix the Mac. Most likely belts which are easy to get and you keep it. And not have to buy a cheap piece of junk.
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Couldn't agree more and while my little Shure D6000E was not a TOTL model in 1986, yet it still thrashed my cheap insignia DVD player from 3 years ago. There is no substitute for quality design and build. Though with that said you can buy a much better new CDP, though you're gonna have to pay some monie's for them.


OldJBL said:
Build quality really isn't as big a deal nowadays as DVD/CD players are so inexpensive. A person can buy 10, or more, mid range players for one high end player and there is one thing you can count on with both of them.... they will be obsolete in no time. Buying high end means that in a few years even the Walmart special player will out perform it.
Click to expand...

Tell that to my Shure D6000E cause apparently he didn't get that memo.
 
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