"Professional" studio CD players

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 5:11 pm

Hello everyone. I am in the market for a CD player for my rack. I am currently using my computer to listen to CD's and it is not working out. Reason being because all the noise that my CD drive makes while playing back a CD is very distracting and is unacceptable (I use a Powerbook so the additional noise I’m hearing is essentially under my monitors). I have made a habit of uploading music at full quality onto my computer when I want to listen to it to prevent drive noise, which has become a hassle. So, I am asking for your advice. I’d like a decent quality CD player for my rack. I’d like to cut my budget off at around $300. I’d simply like a good quality player that will no bells and whistles. I got advice today that for my price range, a DVD player would work better for my needs being that they are fitted with better converters. How would you all respond to this? I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanx,
-wes-

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:26 pm

I think you'll need a CD player that is impervious to the cold of the Windy city. Not really.

Sony, TASCAM, Denon, Newmark all make studio oriented CD players but I think the idea of a DVD player makes a lot of sense since many of them are 24-bit compatible and most can not only play audio CDs but can also play MP3 CDs. A good general-purpose optical disc player. That also makes for a nice 10+ hour long music CD. Good for parties and entertaining. Certainly much longer than needed for making love.

Keep warm!
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:29 pm

I cannot recommend a DVD player for CD-only use in the $300 range. You will get a lot better sound from a regular red-book dedicated player for the amount of money that you want to pay. Try NAD, Rotel, Cambridge Audio, Denon, etc.

These are high-end brands that also have some entry level product in the price range you are looking at.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=CAMB540CS&product_name=Azur%20540C%20CD%20Player

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:15 am

I was in your spot a few years ago. I needed a decent CD player and I wanted it to record. I bought a SONY. It was only about $300 some odd dollars.
But after 2 or 3 years. I needed something pro. And I ended up buying an Alesis Masterlink. And they are $700 plus.
My mistake was reaching for the now, (with the cheaper SONY unit) instead of the future, (with an Alesis Masterlink 9600).
So in hindsight, I spent well over a grand on my CD-R setup, and now I never use my ol' SONY anymore.
Whatever you do make sure you invest wisely, and buy something you need and still enjoy for more than 4 or 5 years.

This topic sponsored by: