Recommend me a Cd player

[thekingbeyond]

Hi, can I get some recommendations for a cd player or transport, I can stretch up to £600. I have just bought a new Stereo system based on a pair of audiolab 9000p power amps and audiolab 9000q preamp.
A lot would probably say get a audiolab 9000cdt but I don't really want to spend that much, the next player would be the 7000cdt which is within my budget. My only need is gapless and I have been looking at the Denon dcd-900ne, Denon DCD-600NE, Tascam CD-200, NAD C538 AND Rotel CD11MKII(not sure if the rotel is gapless).

 

[staticV3]

See @NTTY's CD Player reviews:

Search results for query: cd

www.audiosciencereview.com

There are rankings in each review.

 

[blueone]

TASCAM CD-200

CD-200 | Professional CD Player | TASCAM - United States

TASCAM has developed a recording equipment and tools for music production for musicians and creators.

tascam.com

 

[Matias]

Merak's toslink into your preamp's DAC and you are good to go.

Fosi Merak Review (CD Player)

Hello Everyone, This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Merak CD Player and Transport. Sorry, not the best picture ever, but done in a rush between two storms ;) Fosi Merak - Presentation This is a low cost CD Player and actually @Rocky Rococo did a good presentation and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[thekingbeyond]

See @NTTY's CD Player reviews:

Search results for query: cd

www.audiosciencereview.com

There are rankings in each review.

Yes I have been reading those, thanks. Very informative.

 

[thekingbeyond]

Merak's toslink into your preamp's DAC and you are good to go.

Fosi Merak Review (CD Player)

Hello Everyone, This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Merak CD Player and Transport. Sorry, not the best picture ever, but done in a rush between two storms ;) Fosi Merak - Presentation This is a low cost CD Player and actually @Rocky Rococo did a good presentation and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I don't know how they can make that player so cheap and so good, but I need front loading

 

[thekingbeyond]

TASCAM CD-200

CD-200 | Professional CD Player | TASCAM - United States

TASCAM has developed a recording equipment and tools for music production for musicians and creators.

tascam.com

That's probably in my top 3 players, along with Denon dcd-900ne and Denon DCD-600NE, I just can't make my mind up

 

[NTTY]

No need to put money into a higher end DAC if you use it as a transport only. The Tascam is a winner for your business case.

 

[thekingbeyond]

No need to put money into a higher end DAC if you use it as a transport only. The Tascam is a winner for your business case.

Thanks for the reply @NTTY have you seen or tested any of the audiolab transports like the 7000cdt or the 9000cdt, the 9000q pre-amp I have has a ES9038PRO DAC chip and I also have a SMSL DO100 PRO dac to test out.

 

[pinger]

That's probably in my top 3 players, along with Denon dcd-900ne and Denon DCD-600NE, I just can't make my mind up

I actually have had the Denon 600 for about 2 years now. No issues. Happy with it

 

[thekingbeyond]

I have ordered the Tascam CD-200, it should arrive tomorrow

 

[n00brx]

good choice!
Replying while listening to my TASCAM

 

[Roland68]

Thanks for the reply @NTTY have you seen or tested any of the audiolab transports like the 7000cdt or the 9000cdt, the 9000q pre-amp I have has a ES9038PRO DAC chip and I also have a SMSL DO100 PRO dac to test out.

I have ordered the Tascam CD-200, it should arrive tomorrow

In that case, congratulations—it’s a perfect drive.

Since you asked: Audiolab CD transports actually consist solely of off-the-shelf audio CD drives costing no more than €50–100. The control circuitry, too, is comprised of the standard ICs found in many other devices.
In fact, the drive installed in the Audiolab 9000CDT appears to be the same (or a very similar) TEAC drive—specifically the TEAC CD-5020A—that is also utilized in the Tascam CD-200 series, numerous high-end TEAC drives and CD players, Primare units, the Atoll CD 200, and others.
The remainder of the price is attributed to the other circuit boards, power supplies, displays, control panels, elaborate chassis and faceplates, as well as the relatively low production volumes over which these costs must be amortized.

It is perfectly reasonable to spend a bit more money on a handsome drive featuring more sophisticated build quality; however, the performance delivered by the Tascam CD-200 and the SMSL PL200T is virtually impossible to surpass.

 

[thekingbeyond]

In that case, congratulations—it’s a perfect drive.

Since you asked: Audiolab CD transports actually consist solely of off-the-shelf audio CD drives costing no more than €50–100. The control circuitry, too, is comprised of the standard ICs found in many other devices.
In fact, the drive installed in the Audiolab 9000CDT appears to be the same (or a very similar) TEAC drive—specifically the TEAC CD-5020A—that is also utilized in the Tascam CD-200 series, numerous high-end TEAC drives and CD players, Primare units, the Atoll CD 200, and others.
The remainder of the price is attributed to the other circuit boards, power supplies, displays, control panels, elaborate chassis and faceplates, as well as the relatively low production volumes over which these costs must be amortized.

It is perfectly reasonable to spend a bit more money on a handsome drive featuring more sophisticated build quality; however, the performance delivered by the Tascam CD-200 and the SMSL PL200T is virtually impossible to surpass.

Having just spent 3.5k on 2 audiolab power amps, the matching pre and a wharfedale heritage centre speaker, I couldn't justify spending another £999 on the audiolab 9000cdt. My wife is great for allowing my hobbies but that was pushing it

 

[n00brx]

Sorry but I would like a question here. Anyone have CD-200 may confirm if your cd tray is sensitive as mine is quite sensitive to close the tray when I put the cd on the tray( a little bit pushed the tray by the cd)

 

[Sal1950]

Hi, can I get some recommendations for a cd player or transport, I can stretch up to £600.

Why purchase a plain CD player when a BluRay player can be had for the same or less money?

 

[Roland68]

Why purchase a plain CD player when a BluRay player can be had for the same or less money?

Typically, there is no display; CD loading times are long; and playback is often accompanied by distracting drive noise. Newer units suffer from the same CD compatibility issues as many modern desktop CD players, and some feature only an HDMI output, lacking coaxial or Toslink connections.

 

[Roland68]

Sorry but I would like a question here. Anyone have CD-200 may confirm if your cd tray is sensitive as mine is quite sensitive to close the tray when I put the cd on the tray( a little bit pushed the tray by the cd)

No. On both of my CD 200s, I can tap the tray firmly enough with my finger to push it down—and doing so from the front is no problem either. I have to push it in by more than a millimeter before it closes.

Have you ever disassembled the drive mechanism?
Most likely, the tray is seated one or two teeth too far inward on the gear.
Could you please take a photo from directly above, perpendicular to the front panel (with the edge of the front panel centered in the frame)?

 

[Redacted]

The cheapest one that looks nice, so long as it has digital out....
Or use a £15 USB one with a PC and rip to FLAC files.

 

[Chanur]

I love my SMSL PL200. Not sure you can do better for the price.