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Post by nick193 on Jun 22, 2021 18:55:32 GMT
I am looking for a cd player that will give me good quality listening for a first addition to my current setup. Preferably I want to spend under £150.00 second hand. Arcam Alpha 7 SE seems like a good bet. Has anyone got any thoughts on this or any better suggestions? My second choice would be a NAD C545 but they come up less frequently.
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Post by Slinger on Jun 22, 2021 19:25:33 GMT
I had one of those ages ago, and it's no better or worse than a load of other players you can pick up for around that price. Some people say Arcams are too laid back, but I guess that depends on what youi pair them with. I had an Alpha9 too, and I wish I hadn't sold it when I did. For the same sort of price (£150.00-ish) you might be lucky enough to pick up a Marantz CD5005, another decent machine for the price, and built like a tank.
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Post by nick193 on Jun 22, 2021 19:53:26 GMT
That's good insight thanks. I was trying to pick up a marantz a while back but to no avail. Outbid at the last minute.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 22, 2021 19:54:31 GMT
Any Pioneer stable platter should do better than the Arcam They are some years old. I have a two PD-S703s Plenty of Pioneer stable platters on Ebay. They won't all say "stable platter" Look for the curved sticky out bit to show it is a stable platter  |
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Post by Slinger on Jun 22, 2021 20:12:25 GMT
I've always wondered, if stable platter machines are so good why they don't still make them?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 22, 2021 20:27:30 GMT
Too expensive and few people are buying CD players any more.
The Pioneer Stable Platter players are very good.
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Post by nick193 on Jun 22, 2021 20:58:38 GMT
Hmm interesting. What makes the stable platter so good compared to other players at that price point?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 22, 2021 21:03:08 GMT
Rather than spinning the CD in free air, it offers a platter for the CD to rest on, like a turntable. Consequently, you load the CD upside down.
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Post by nick193 on Jun 22, 2021 21:07:46 GMT
Rather than spinning the CD in free air, it offers a platter for the CD to rest on, like a turntable. Consequently, you load the CD upside down. Does that do anything to the sound quality or is it just a stability thing? |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2021 5:20:15 GMT
The one leads to the other. It gives the laser a more stable platform to read the data.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 23, 2021 8:57:09 GMT
Sound quality on stable platters is impressive for the money
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Post by Mr Whippy on Jun 23, 2021 11:18:05 GMT
Years ago, Stan Curtis was commissioned by B&W to build a CD player, as they were thinking of going into that particular market. One of the features he designed into it was a stable platter, a proper one made of aluminum, and vacuum assisted to hold the disc in place. In the meantime, B&W had a change of direction, and decided not to bother with CDs.
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Post by nick193 on Jun 23, 2021 11:49:09 GMT
I'm fairly sold on the idea of going for a stable platter player. Would you buy one without a remote/how much of a pain is it to get a working replacement for one?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2021 11:54:38 GMT
Lots of clone remotes and all-in-ones on the market.
Buying one without a remote will keep the price down.
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Post by Slinger on Jun 23, 2021 12:31:34 GMT
One caveat. Stable platter machines can be 25-30-year-old technology. Make sure spares are available.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 23, 2021 13:10:15 GMT
One caveat. Stable platter machines can be 25-30-year-old technology. Make sure spares are available. Just buy two  |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 23, 2021 14:54:10 GMT
One caveat. Stable platter machines can be 25-30-year-old technology. Make sure spares are available. I think you have to be quite brave buying vintage CDP's. With the cost of repairs nowadays upwards of £50 ph, if I needed a cheap but good CDP I'd most likely spend a bit more on a Pro-ject or Cambridge Audio and buy new with a decent guarantee. Cd player reliability seems to be a complete lottery - I never had much luck with them but my mum's Naim has never put a foot wrong in 20 years + |
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 25, 2021 18:54:54 GMT
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Post by Dave on Jun 27, 2021 10:24:16 GMT
Hi Nick, are you still looking for a CD player? I have an Arcam CD72 you can have for the cost of postage. I'll need to dig it out and test it, but it was working when I packed it up so it should be good to go.
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Post by nick193 on Jun 28, 2021 20:12:25 GMT
Hi Nick, are you still looking for a CD player? I have an Arcam CD72 you can have for the cost of postage. I'll need to dig it out and test it, but it was working when I packed it up so it should be good to go. Oh wow! Yes please. I am still looking and having no luck at the minute so that would be really appreciated! Thanks. |
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