Top 5... BUDGET CD PLAYERS - Up to £500
There's nothing technical about this top 5 listing and I fully realise that there are loads that could have been here that aren't... but these are CD players that I've bought, sometimes owned and sold over the years. They are all, in my humble opinion, great units within their price range. If the CD format lacks the drama of handling a vinyl LP and its large format sleeve, then these CD plays will add back in some of the excitement, both in style and sound!
1. Marantz CD-94 MkIIThis is the CD player I used to use at home and, almost without exception, it has spanked any other player I've put it up against. There's a matching CDA-94 which is a stand alone DAC, which is ideally suited to the earlier CD-94 – the MkII had an improved internal DAC. Certainly when I tried mine with the CDA-94 I must admit I couldn't tell the difference! You'll need space for one of these, as the extra wooden panels on each side make it substantial. These players chew through CD tray drive belts, so expect to replace them at some point. Also consider the CD-80 and CD-85. Expect to pay around £500
2. Boothroyd Stuart Meridian 596I only came across this player relatively recently and, wow, what great quality and value! In typical Meridian style, this unit looks utterly distinctive, not just on the front panel, but also with its glass top panel. Built quality feels very high and the unit played wonderfully. At around £350 (and sometimes less) this feels like a bargain and, whisper it, far nicer than similarly priced items such as the Linn Classik. The only downside is they do not appear to come up for sale very often and are usually snapped up quickly, so don't hang about! Expect to pay... £350
3. Marantz CD6004/5/6It wasn't my intention to have two Marantz entries here, but the CD-94 is about the best CD I've heard, but at the more affordable end, almost all Marantz players are worth considering. Where applicable KI versions of a certain model are always worth getting if within budget, but the CD6004/5 or 6 model variants are reliable, well built, good looking and, vitally, sound great too. Expect to pay... From £150
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4. Creek DestinyCreek makes lots of good hifi and its amplifiers often take centre stage. But don't discount the CD players. Here's a Destiny and we've recently sold a Classic, and both have sounded very good indeed. Styling is clean and uncluttered, with a brushed aluminium front panel. Expect to pay... £175
5. Rega PlanetHere's a good CD upgrade from your first entry level player. You'll always find a few available, with sensible prices and the ones I've sold have always proved reliable. The lid is raised manually and this doesn't feel the most substantial of players, but the styling is good and the units usually work well and sound good. If you have a greater budget, then the Apollo is also worth considering. Expect to pay... £200
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