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So my 10 year Harmon Kardon CD player gave up the ghost. I can't imagine it is worth fixing anymore. Even when it did work it wouldn't read CD-Rs or CD-RWs, so I am looking for a new player. I don't need an audiophile player but I have not looked into audio gear for 10 years, so what's out there that I can get? I figure I don't need SACD. This is for my stereo system in my living room upstairs that is rarely used and is only 2 channel. It will feed into a Harmon Kardon receiver and I have two nice custom book shelf speakers and a sub woofer. Can't play it too loud, you know the wife always complains that it is too loud anyway.....

I figure perhaps a 5 disc changer. Can I get something decent for around $100? or is it worth it to spend a little extra? Does it really affect the sound or is the extra money only for bells and whistles that I really don't need or want.

ken k

My opinion, you can get a decent CD player for the $100 you'd like to spend and probably even disc changer. I've always been a big fan of the Sony stuff, but as usual Pioneer, HK, and any number of brands would serve you well for many years to come with what you describe your normal use. I wouldn't spend the extra money personally. My home stereo I just use the DVD player so I didn't have to get a new one a couple years back when the old one finally gave up. At school I just use a disc man and have been more than pleased with it's use and performance. The only downside with it is no remote, but it's not been a huge deal in this particular setting.

I have a Sony CDP-CE375 that is excellent. It's a 5 disc changer. I have had no issues with it and it sounds excellent. I got it on sale for 100 dollars, but I think it usually sells for around 130.

mTaUrBkA wrote:I have a Sony CDP-CE375 that is excellent. It's a 5 disc changer. I have had no issues with it and it sounds excellent. I got it on sale for 100 dollars, but I think it usually sells for around 130.

just looked at one of those toight fo 133. They also had an insignia (BEST BUY's) store brand for $85!

thanks for the endorsement. i read a few reviews of that model on line and they all were positive.

k

Greg wrote:I would recommend looking into Oppo digital. I own one and am a semi audiophile. It was recommended by a home theater audio maniac and cost about $125 a year ago.

I will look into that name. I am not familiar with it but sounds interesting.
thanks, ken k

If sound is the most important factor, regarding compnents, the system is only as good as your weakest compnent. If you have great sounding speakers, and/or a killer amp, I wouldn't go with a cheap cd player. If you go to a store and just compare the sound of cd players, leaving the amp and speakers constant, you will hear a difference. Of course, features should be considered too.

I wasn't conerned with features when I bought a new cd player, 3 years ago. I also didn't need a changer because I don't listen long enough where I'm going to listen to many cd's. I just wanted one that sounded really good. If I want to listen to many cd's, like for a party at my house, I plug the laptop into my stereo, and with itunes on shuffle, I can play music for days. So for a cd player, I read reviews, found the store that carried what I thought I wanted, and listened in the one store. I ended up buying a Rotel RCD 1070.

I don't know if I helped any. I used to be a stereo nut!