CD players under $600

[Chris M]

Need some advice from the experts here. I'm looking to upgrade my CD player but am on a pretty tight budget. I just bought a Cary SLI-80 amp and it's freakin awsome but I think that my CD player may be a weak link. It's a Sony XA20ES. I'm looking for a little more warmth w/o loosing too much detail. I can't spend more than $500-$600. The Ah! Tojobe seems like it may fit the bill. Any advice would be appreciated. I have Paradigm Studio Reference 100's....

Thanks,

Chris

[Dave]

Chris, if you're going to upgrade your digital source why not just get an SACD player? There are some nice Sonys in your price range such as the 555ES. BTW I own the XA-20 ES as well.;) I've been quite happy with mine. Awesome transport/laser system eh?

[Chris M]

Hi Dave, yeah that's part of my dillema. Do any of the $500 Sony SACD players do a decent job with redbbok CD's. I want to avoid anything that's too bright. In other words, in regards to redbook performance only, will a $500-$600 Sony SACD player outperform my Sony XA20ES?

Thanks,

Chris

[Dave]

Chris, that my man I cannot answer as I haven't left my XA-20ES behind yet, and from the sound of the discussion about SACD players, I would probably say to heck with spending $500.00 on an SACDP, and save up another $700.00 and get a good used XA-777ES.;)

[pigmode]

Chris, I'm not sure this is of much help but I believe Oades is now selling the Phillips SACD 1000 for $800.

Any thoughts on this player?

[Chris M]

Yeah, I saw the price ar Oades too. My main concern is redbook CD playback performance. Having SACD is really just a bonus as far as I'm concerned but I'm having a hard time justifying spending too much $$$ on a standalone redbook player (Ah! Tjobe). If the redbook performance is good I may take the plunge. I have a Sony XA20ES now, does anyone think that the Phillips SACD 1000 redbook performance will outshine the Sony XA20ES?

Chris

[Dave]

Chris, from what I've experienced with Phillips is this... If you buy the top of the line they are excellent! But anything down from that you're basically wasting your money that could be spent on something really decent for the same dollars. Henceforth, the XA-20ES, better sound for the $

What are you running for IC's?

[Chris M]

Thanks Dave. I have Straight Wire Encore 2 Interconnects and Speaker Cables but I'm waiting to get my Speaker Cables back from being retermintated (Sp?). In the mean time I'm using Radio Shack lamp corp.....sounds OK to me but I have nothing to compare it too until I get my Straight Wire Encores back...BTW, have you ever modified your XA20ES? Do you know anyone that has??

Chris

[Dave]

Chris, I don't know of anyone who has put up-grades in their XA-20, but I do remember a site that said they had done improvements with caps., resistors, power supply, better timing clock, and power cord. So I can't comment on whether it really works, or not. You would most likely do a better job of finding out by asking with a new thread. CD up-grade help required, perhaps.

Are your cables & IC's copper, or silver/copper, or pure silver? Is your system SS or Tubes?

[Chris M]

Dave, my IC's and Cables are Gold. I have a Cary SLI-80 Integrated tube pre/power amp and Paradigm Studio reference 100's.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris, you mean they're gold wire inside?
http://www.theunholytrinity.org/cracks_smileys/cwm/cwm/eek2.gif

[Chris M]

Oh no.....just gold plated.

Chris

[Dave]

The only reason that I ask is because quite often people with tubes will choose pure silver wire, which is fine for Classical music, but can actually be detrimental to the bass of rock music. Unless you need the speed of silver sometimes it's actually better to go with a silver/copper combination to fully appreciate the bottom end of your equipment. Give that a try if you can find a loaner set once you get your speaker cables back. Can't hurt.;)

[Dave]

Ah Chris. You still around?

[Chris M]

Hey Dave.....yeah, I'm still hear :-) Very interesting comments about IC's and Cables. I'll have to try your suggestion about the Cables and IC's. I feel better about my XA20ES having read your posts. I've had the plalyer for over 3 years now and I haven't really compared it to anything. Have you done any 'shoot outs' with any other CD or SACD (redbook performance only) players against your XA20ES??

Chris