Entry level CDP

Garn509

Those are some mighty ponderous and indefinite questions. Doubtful anyone can fully give a for sure answer given the way you prefaced them.

Which is better? Which one will last for years going forward?

Beats me. I’ll say Regga…. For no real good reason either. Just a shot in the dark… and as that’s exactly what you’ll be doing regardless of what is said here.

Being more pragmatic I’d say either of the 3.

Typically CDPs lasers last 4-7 years of normal operation and there are always exceptions to that rule in both directions.

As a source unit is mighty important, but not the only reason a system will be better in one area or another, I’d not be terribly worried on the pick here. I’d not think it the end of the line either. In the $500 area, and if it were the ONLY source unit, I’d think to get more flexibility and opt for a multiformat player, myself, like the Oppo BDP 83. Even one of the lesser priced Oppo units could be as good a solution.

From a grand to two grand, I’d look closely at the new Sony 5400? Or the Cambridge 840c and some others.

The digital surge is in full swing too, and server based HDD units are fast becoming great solutions affording users more versatility and variety while equaling or surpassing performance levels of many one box solutions.

I’d ask your questions of the sellers and add in their feedback section to gain more insight on those short list considerations you have available to you now.

Thanks to both of you. I'm not lookinbg for a an A/V unit. I have 2 audiophile retailers in my area. One sells Rega and NAD, the other sells Music Hall and Marantz. On a strict cash budget, I have to consider the security of a new unit warranty, and the ability of close p2p support. That said, the only second hand unit left in the mix is the Music Fidelity. The issue of formats is a good point.
To sum up: NAD, Music Hall, or Marantz? I heard that an old Planet wont play compressed formats, but am attracted by the top loading. FYI, I'm running a NAD C326BEE.

Planet is very good. check out Naim cd for comparable performance.

"I'm not looking for a an A/V unit." Even at the cost of performance and versatility? Beside CD's, there is plenty of great Jazz/Classical titles also available on DVD-a and SACD for you to explore.

Wrong forum, perhaps?