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Best cd player under $600 used for system

Hello all,

I'm currently planning on building a system around sonus faber grand piano home speakers. I've grown quite fond of their sound and have read here on audiogon that they pair up well with the musical fidelity a3cr series amp and preamp. I am currently on the market for these 3 components and have been leaning strongly toward the rega planet 2000 for use as a cd player. Ive taken part in some conversations where the rega is described as "bright" and wanted to know if this was the common opinion shared by people here on audiogon. I was also told that "bright" is used to describe that "up front" sound like a full orchestra hall in contrast to "dark" sounding like a smokey jazz club. Personally, I listen to a lot of rock music, and female vocal with small ensemble type music and particularly enjoy that kind of jazz club sound more than the orchestra type sound. In an attempt to sum it all up, I am looking for any cd player recommendations under $600 used which would match well with the musical fidelity components listed above and complements the grand pianos mid range warmth.

Thanks in advance
krazeeyk
tobias
1,534 posts
 
I like my new Shanling CD-S100, but it's probably too far under your budget limit for you to consider. $600 is about what it costs new. Still, I'd put it up against several of the suggestions here, since it's really an amazing value.

However I would like to say that IMHO you are spending your main budget too far downstream. As UHF mag said, put a $3000 pair of speakers on a boombox, and you've got... what ? But put a $3000 source on a boombox, and you've got something to listen to ( while you save to replace the boombox ). In other words, a great source is listenable through anything. Really. But high class speakers will only reveal defects in your source more painfully clearly.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,262 posts
 
I have owned the Rega 2000 Planet and I never thought of it as bright. In fact I would say it is 'meaty' and 'focused' not the last word in detail or extension but the instruments are highlighted in a nice way and it is probably euphonic as well. I now own a Sony 9000 ES and even though I have changed wire since the Planet I would GUESS the Planet is more pleasent in the midrange but the Sony has better extension and detail.

BTW the reason I bought the Sony and sold the planet is because I wanted an all in one DVD (I care how my movies sound) and CD player - with SACD thrown in for fun.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Also consider the Rotel RCD-991.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Used orginal Rega planet for $300
6chac
235 posts
 
For $600, buy a brand new Sony ES model or something. Why used? Anything that price $600 used is either very old (transport breakdown - mechanical wear) or it was not that good in the first place ($2000 when new - Hi-ended blow up price).
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