Need help in locating a suitable CD player

I am new in the world of hi-fi. I recently bought Cambridge Audio 340A amplifier and Mordaunt-Short floor standing speakers - Avanti 906i (I hope these are considered hi-fi). Currently I am using a DVD player for playing audio CDs. I have been told that I should get a CD player, that will improve my listening experience.

Need help from you guys in understanding if it is true, and if yes what should I buy? Since I am new entrant, I don’t want to buy a very expensive unit. What is the least I need to spend for a CD player to get a hi-fi experience, which brand/model?

Normally I don’t play mp3, but sometimes my kids do. But I can always get them a separate mp3 player, if there is advantage in having a non-mp3 CD player. Same for DVD, should I buy a player that plays DVD also, or should have an exclusive audio CD player. My requirement is primarily to hear good music. I generally listen to soft numbers, old Hindi, semi classical & classical (both instrumental & vocal)

Welcome Ashish,

A standalone CD player would be the best option imo. You can very well pair it with the same series CD player from CA.

However, having MP3 or SACD facility is a good option and it wont hurt to have them provided they are from a good companies. In this regard, you can consider the CD6002 from Marantz or PD-D6 from Pioneer. Both could be yours for around 20k - not to mention the discounts available if you bother to hunt a bit.

Regarding the video facilities, its good to seperate that from your hifi setup. Especially because the transport mechanism needed for hifi and dvd are very different. Having a dvd player for hifi needs will certainly be a compromise imh. If you can stretch your budget then you can consider the DV7001 from Marantz. Its a fine dvd player with very good sonic capabilities. An other option would be to consider the Oppo range.

Best Regards.

Welcome to the forum!

How much are you open to spend on the CDP? If you indicate that we can advise you on what to buy. A CDP sounds better because it is custom designed to play CDs. A DVD player/universal player can sound good too, depending on what it is. Generally speaking, a dedicated CDP should improved the sonics.

Also, you should use your current player to play MP3 rather than looking for a CDP capable of playing MP3. You'd be back to square one if you did so.

Thanks U_Me, thanks Ranjeetrain. Your replies are indeed enlightening.

It is becoming clear to me that I should have a standalone CDP for my audios and separate players for MP3 & DVDs. In any case I am more comfortable in keeping separate boxes for separate purpose.

If possible, for my first CDP I would ideally like to spend Rs 5K, but if CDP with sonic capabilities don’t come that cheap I am ready to go up to 15K, may be 20K. Basically I am looking for the least expensive CDP with ‘sonic capabilities’.

You also said that ‘High-end Indian brands will sound better than similarly priced international brands’. Are there Indian brands for CDP as well?

What is SACD?

About MP3 – are there also MP3 players with ‘sonic capabilities’? They start at what range? Will there be any difference in hearing experience between these and the regular DVD players? Currently I use a really inexpensive Philips DVP4050 to play MP3s (& DVDs & CDs).

IMO, a CDP costing 10-12 K can't bring a noticeable difference above a DVP. I believe an universal player is the best option for you for the time being. Something like an Oppo or a PS2. Or may be you should wait for a while and buy the CDP when you can spend in access of 20k on the CDP alone.

I have decided to go for a CDP. Please advise me what is will be a good buy, where I can get the noticeable difference. I am little disappointed to hear that for CDP I will have to go above 20K. I am told that in Delhi I can get Cambridge Audio for 14K (340C) or 18K (540C). Are they good? Will I notice the difference?

In the forum I had been reading about brands like MARANTZ and NAD. How do they compare with CA, sound quality as well as price? What is your opinion about Onkyo, I believe they also have a model under 20K.

I really appreciate your guidance, thanks a lot.

Hi Ashish,
A dedicated cdp is always better. That is an accepted fact but if u need a dvd,mp3 and cdp and go for a budget dvd thats perfectly ok too. Its ur needs that determine a purchase.
Another thing to note is its pointless to buy a great cdp and match it with average amplification and speakers!!!
If opting for a cdp try the Marantz 5001 or nad 515(i think thats the new budget cdp) or the CA cdp. Or u could opt for the Marantz 6002(CDP+MP3) if u are willing to spend 20K!!! I would leave out an onkyo cdp.
Regards

Do not consider a CA CD Player below 640C - they are not worth it. Unleash_Me's recommendations are spot on - the Marantz CD6002 and Pioneer PD-D6 (SACD) are your best options at this budget. The 640C is a good fit as you have a CA amp & MS speakers but consider others as well. I think the Marantz may emerge the winner. However do not expect them to be a night-and-day difference from a budget DVD player - it will be anywhere from a subtle to a significant improvement depending on various factors. Do listen to them with your system before purchase.

While you're auditioning CA, try their 540D V2 player as well which does DVD and CD and see if the sound is good enough. Should be around 15k. Best option would have been their 640D Universal Player but it is still on the drawing board and although it was slated for an early 2008 it seems far from ready.

Hi Dinyaar,

I take it that my current set-up CA 340A + Mordaunt-Short 900i speakers would be considered average. Will a Marantz 5001, NAD 515 or CA cdps will make a noticeable difference?

Look forward to your advice.