Hi All

So, I've once again started the "as much value as possible for the money-quest" for a decent cdplayer. But I am very much in doubt about which one to get. Options are:

Naim CD 3.5 mkII
Marantz CD-16
Teac VRDS 10 (mod'ed)
Shanling CD-S100MK2
Marantz cd-17.2, Ki. signature

Any comments or suggestions ? I want a machine which has good mechanics and is possible to get serviced if necessary. Oh! And I don't want a Rega of any kind as I intensely hate their toploading mechanism :)

Thanks in advance

/Mirland

Eastsounds's E5.

Eastsounds's E5.
Cad586 have you got this then. I am waiting for mine at the moment. Everyone says this is a giant killer for the price. Jim

Hmm, I would probably be reluctant to buy something from Hong Kong just on a note...

/Mirland

Hmm, I would probably be reluctant to buy something from Hong Kong just on a note...

/Mirland
This isn't actually a note they had to do another thread as this was getting too long.http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=152404

Hmm, I would probably be reluctant to buy something from Hong Kong just on a note...

/Mirland
This isn't actually a note they had to do another thread as this was getting too long. http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=152404

jim, yes i've got one. so far much more impressive than the price would suggest.

mirland, just another suggestion for your as much value as possible for the money quest.

Oh, it wasn't meant to sound rude :) I just have a bit of bad experience buying cdplayers I haven't been able to touch before actually buying :( Do you perhaps know if the Eastsound is comparable to the Shanling players ?

Does anybody have any experience with the Shanling players at all?

/Mirland

Haven't heard Shanling myself Mirland. The best thing to do is a search on the internet for peoples comments and then listen for yourself. I am going for the Eastsound on peoples views of the player, so lets hope they are right. For about £450 to £475 all in with post and packaging its worth a go. Jim

I think I'll get in touch with the Shanling dealer tonight. He lives about 75km from where I live so maybe I could have a Shanling in the house by tomorrow :) It's the only to find out. But am I the only one who has a bit of doubts concerning these chinese hifi companys you've never heard of ?

By the way: The Shanling costs app. £380 :)

/Mirland

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19032
Take a look at this early thread Mirland. Jim.

Thanks Jim ! Very informative. Tomorrow I'll be going to the Shanling dealer and get a listen to the CD-S100 and probably take it home for a spin. Then I'll get back to you with my impressions :)

/Mirland

Right. Got the Shanling today. First impressions (pictures follow later): This is a tank! 9kg massive contruction in polished steel with it's transport encased in a block (!) of aluminium. I plugged it in and waited an hour before I started listening. Now this is not yet run-in of course so any initial impressions may be a bit premature. But anyway: The Shanling seems very open, transparent and dynamic. Much more than I'd ever expected it to be and much more so than my former Mimik. It's rather forward and quick and has a wide perspective compared to the Mimik. In my setup with the Majik/LK85/Tukan it seems just right.

If these impressions last I must say this may very well be a best buy in the 350-450 quid area.

I've not yet tried the upsampling option though.

More later ! I've got a lot of cds to listen to :)

/Mirland

I owned a Naim Cd3.5 for several and it is incredible VFM. The additional of the Hicap spring boards it into the stratosphere, rivalling players costing at least double. The build quality is second to none, and i genuinely think you'll not be disappointed with this machine. IMHO, i think that this player must be one of the best in worlds at this price point and second hand ones are a steal.

Oh, it wasn't meant to sound rude :) I just have a bit of bad experience buying cdplayers I haven't been able to touch before actually buying :( Do you perhaps know if the Eastsound is comparable to the Shanling players ?

Does anybody have any experience with the Shanling players at all?

/Mirland

I used the first Shanling CDT 100 for 4 years and jolly good it was too. Like many people, having paid for the nice tubes, I actually prefered the SS output, but at least you have the choice. Very musical, certainly not loaded with detail, a bit base light, not the deepest soundstage. That may sound like criticism, but for the money , it is pretty good value.
Now I use a Great Northern Sound modded Resolution audio opus 21 and it is'nt that far off my TW Accustic Raven one. CD players have really moved on in the last few years, now they are on the edge of extinction

Cambridge 640C @ £250 will match or better anything on your list.
Very solid build.

Or a naim cdx?

I bought one of the first variants of the 640C new from Richer Sounds and I liked it. Then it began to spit the CD out, just after loading it every now and again. So I took a punt on a Marantz CD63 Mk2 Ki for a £100 knowing I could shift it on again if I didn’t like it. After listening to the Marantz for a week I sold the Cambridge Audio. I didn’t think I’d want to sell the Marantz but 6 months later I find myself listening to a Meridian 206B (cost £175). If I was going to spend £400 on another CD player, the improvement would have to be a LOT more than the differences between the Cambridge, the Marantz and the Meridian put together.

I quite fancy a listen of an Avondale Arcam Alpha 5. But first I’m excited about trying the Edirol UA-25 USB DAC that’s on its way to me as I type. The end of CD players for me?

(probably not!)

Just plugged my Marantz in for the hell of it. It sounds great (playing the bends by radiohead).

Bugger!!

Bought a 640c V2 as a stopgap when my micromega died,intending to pass it on to my son at uni when I found something more suitable for my active naim setup,well, Ive still got it,sounds great-- best £250 Ive spent on audio!

Get it clocked , Trichord (I have) , had an Audicom clock in my CD-11LE

I'd second funkyrimpler's commetns; the cd3.5 is v. good. Also the CD5 can be had at very reasonable prices - both respond to an external PS very well - both have options aplenty for modding (see acoustica website). Both are really rather musical players.

Apollo/Saturn too.