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Opting for no CDP -- only to regret it?

Anyone else find that this happened? I've got all my CDs on a hard drive in a lossless format, and was happily accessing it all via my Squeezebox Touch playing through an outboard DAC. At other times, I was spinning vinyl records, grooving to the tunes the old-fashioned way. Sold one CDP. Then another. Finally, my third and last. Which is just fine, most of the time.
Except when I get a new CD and just want to listen to it. Having to rip it first sometimes feels like so much damn fuss. Or when I feel I'm not exactly getting all I might from some of my favorite HDCDs. Wish then I could just pop one of Neil Young's Archives discs into an appropriate player.
Anyone else venture down the road without a CD player only to turn back and get one again? Anyone else have occasional regrets but just decided to accept the new, CDP-free world?
Regards,
-- Howard
hodu
tgrisham
1,179 posts
 
I did the same. I was lucky and found an older CDP-the Sony SCD-CE595 direct from Sony which plays great 2 channel SACD and CD for $60. I can also run the digital output to the same DAC I currently use. It's a good option to just throw on a CD, or in my case 5 of them, and sit down to enjoy. Or, if someone comes over with CDs or when a new one arrives in the mail. There are many fantastic older CDPs out there for great prices. I keep a nice CDP, the Marantz modified Ah Tjoeb tubed output player in another room and an older Oppo in the bedroom to put on a CD quickly if the mood strikes. ;)
glenfihi
525 posts
 
That scenario is the very reason I will always have a cd player. And have a turntable as part of my system. As time goes on they get used perhaps less, but I have too much music not transferred to give them up. Besides the convenience of the quick occasion playback, I still get a kick out of using my older gear at times. My fear is when they break will it be worth it to buy the best I can to replace them. Probably not.
douglas_schroeder
1,824 posts
 
It will be a long time before I am done with Redbook.

Tgrisham, If you're using the Minimax DAC (reviewed for Dagogo.com), you gotta Opamp roll that DAC! The stock unit is nowhere near its potential. Also, you may want to try the easiest tweak around; use SS output and remove the tube altogether, as it seems to make the power supply more robust. And try your other transports with it as this also affects the sound significantly. With the right cdp acting as transport, the right coax cable and Opamp rolled EE DAC you have a LOT of uphill potential sitting in front of you! :)
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