Small form factor CD player

[Roy_L]

Hello, can anyone recommend a quality CD player with a small "shoebox" footprint (like Cyrus, Bel-Canto etc.)?
Preferably with XLR outputs (which Cyrus's models lack, while costing an arm and a leg).
Thanks!

 

[ctbarker32]

Project CD players are what you are looking for.

 

[Timmeon]

Cayin Mini MK2
Teac pd-301
Project CD Box S3 (various models to choose from)
Denon DCD-50 Not sure if available new?

 

[Timmeon]

Cayin Mini MK2
Teac pd-301
Project CD Box S3 (various models to choose from)
Denon DCD-50 Not sure if available new?

Ah missed the XLR out requirement. Probably better off with a transport+DAC in that case.

 

[Martin]

The Rolls HR72X but it's rather industrial looking.

 

[Roy_L]

Thank you all! But does anyone know of anything, well... fancier? Not audiophile-ridiculous, but something that would seem more at home in a hi-fi system?

 

[raindance]

Denon DCD-50?

 

[raindance]

Personally, I'd just get the Cayin, their stuff is usually decent.

 

[Martin]

Found this Chinese no-name unit for about $200. Could be junk, who knows...

 

[Martin]

Then there is this British unit for about $1500. Not sure if it's still being sold...

 

[Timmeon]

Pro-Ject CD Box DS3 is the best looking in my opinion. You get a choice of colors, and even wood side paneling. Black with walnut looks slick.

 

[Timmeon]

There's also the Rega Apollo

Not my taste, personally.

 

[JSmith]

ERC-4 Differential Reference CD Player and Transport

The Emotiva ERC-4 Differential Reference™ is a high-quality digital CD transport and a superb, balanced DAC all in one package. Shop online today!

emotiva.com

Emotiva ERC-3 Gen 2 Differential Reference Balanced CD Player & Transport

Why buy this over the ERC-4? The ERC-4 does not play gapless or HDCD! Also, I love the vacuum fluorescent display over the OLED used on the ERC-4.Payment via Paypal F&FPlayer, remote, and power cable.Complete disc solution: plays all Red Book stereo audio CDs, HDCDs, MP3 CDs, and the Red Book...

www.usaudiomart.com

JSmith

 

[raindance]

ERC-4 Differential Reference CD Player and Transport

The Emotiva ERC-4 Differential Reference™ is a high-quality digital CD transport and a superb, balanced DAC all in one package. Shop online today!

emotiva.com

Emotiva ERC-3 Gen 2 Differential Reference Balanced CD Player & Transport

Why buy this over the ERC-4? The ERC-4 does not play gapless or HDCD! Also, I love the vacuum fluorescent display over the OLED used on the ERC-4.Payment via Paypal F&FPlayer, remote, and power cable.Complete disc solution: plays all Red Book stereo audio CDs, HDCDs, MP3 CDs, and the Red Book...

www.usaudiomart.com

JSmith

But it's full size!

 

[mhardy6647]

The small footprint + balanced output is pretty restrictive.
Noting that the OP used the word "preferably" vis-a-vis XLRs and given my penchant for wryness...

No XLR, but certainly petite.

 

[bloodshoteyed]

The Rolls HR72X but it's rather industrial looking.

i kind of dig the old Nakamichi car stereo vibe that's going on

 

[Chrispy]

Just curious, but why play cds at all instead of simply ripping them and having more playback choices?

 

[Roy_L]

Because when I play a CD I can sit on the couch like in old times and just listen. I find that difficult when streaming music using the laptop (I don't have a dedicated streaming device).

 

[Chrispy]

Because when I play a CD I can sit on the couch like in old times and just listen. I find that difficult when streaming music using the laptop (I don't have a dedicated streaming device).

I'm sitting on the couch playing albums...just like the old days, just no disc. It's not difficult, but rather easier in several ways without any loss of fidelity.

 

[threni]

Because when I play a CD I can sit on the couch like in old times and just listen. I find that difficult when streaming music using the laptop (I don't have a dedicated streaming device).

You could replace your CD player with a raspberry pi running moOde, usb hard drive and a DAC. All your CDs live on the hard drive, and you listen to them all at CD quality, controlled from your couch via your phone/laptop/tablet etc. No more getting up to fiddle with bits of plastic between albums/tracks!