Cd players to demo

I am after ideas for cd players to demo, I have an NAD s300 amp and pmc fb1+ speakers. I have £600 + what I can get for my Tag dac20. Ex demo or 2nd hand would be ok, as long as I could get the unit repaired if it became faulty in the future.

 

reasonable transport (cheap pioneer multiformat?) and audio synthesis dax-2. you should be able to get the dax for aboout 500 quid and the transport for 200.
cheers


julian.

 

Primare D30.2 could be a good buy. Their UK support (CSE) are first class too.

Steve

 

quad 99cdp. Has digital ins as well so could use as a dac for other components

 

Benchmark DAC1 + any transport with a digital out. Use optical to avoid grounding issues.

Andrew

 

I like the Arcam fmj23 but think the prices they are going for is is to high. I was thinking about copland what do you guys think? I am open to suggestions. What is a Dax Julian2002

 

Hi,

Which Copland player were you thinking of? I have experience with the CDA822 and the previously mentioned Primare D30.2 (this will be for sale shortly... ).

Both offer digital out and rca/xlr analogue outputs....quite different presentations though. What music do you mainly listen to?

Steve

 

Hi, i listen to mainly rock, indie,romatic period Classical and pop I was thinking of the 289 or the 822

 

An S500 would come in well below budget, and you'd be able to save on a remote control . But then I reckon CD players generally sound pretty similar so you might prefer to ignore me...

 

Natural suggestion for a DAC - Non OS DAC + power supply from Derek Shek (eBay) should only set you back £225/£250 for both (around £120 for the DAC alone). If I remember correctly (?) the recent bake-off seemed to report it sailed very close to the DAX and that was without the separate pwr supply. Runs my SCD-1 close, again without the dedicated pwr supply.

 

audio synthesis dax-2. fantastic build quality and david heaton (the guy who makes them) still has the bits to upgrade (and presumably) fix them no problems. give him a call or e-mail him, he sometimes has exchange units in from people upgrading.
cheers


julian

 

Alternatively, get a Roksan Caspian CD player and forget about hi-fi: just enjoy the music... the best £200 I ever spent on hi-fi gear (s/h, obviously!)

 

Greg i have heard the nos dac with out the power supply at Lordsummits Bakeoff (chis brought it) i thought it was hard and a bit uneven the type of sound that is good for 1/2 hour then i have to turn off till good for the money. Julian2002 how much is the Dax 2 I'll have to get a listen first. PeteH I Have been trying to locate a NAd s500 to give it a listen. Rsc I don't rate the Roskan.

 

For what it's worth (probably not much ), a review over on HFC of an S500 / S300 / FB1 setup.

 

i bought one from david at a/s for about 500 quid about a year and 1/2 ago. they may have gone up in price (or down) now though. i sold mine for 550 a few months back but i was in a hurry and it also had the npc filter which is about 75 quid extra from david. i've seen them from dealers for 700+ but that's taking the mick and they've not shifted for years at that price (mine sold within a few weeks) haggling may be an option with some.
cheers


julian

 

That statement contrasts with my experience quite considerably.

Edited to add "experience"

 

And mine. IIRC, wasn't Chris's DAC a wee bit ill at the time?

 

The following thread discusses it in depth (amongst others)...
https://www.audio-forums.com/as-rediect/showthread.php?t=8099

 

Ah yes it was, I'll have to get a one again with a good power supply

 

Would you have one again?