Help with cd player to match with B&W 703

[Trevor]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with particular cd players that they like that would increase the sound quality from the 703 line?
Looking for something in the 400 dollar range that I could upgrade my cd player to. I am using a panasonic combo unit for dvd recording and cd playback. Don't laugh? I know it is not the best but it is all I have now.

Any help would be appreciated?

Thanks Trevor :thanku: :thanku:

[BlazeMaster]

Have you looked into the Rotel RCD1072? It seems to be the popular choices for some B&W owners. I have a Denon 2910, which I don't care for much either for CD listening, but I do mostly DVDs anyways.

[csuzor]

At that price, the Denon 2200 (or 2900) is the best universal player imo. Sounds good with my 703. The newer series (xx10) is not as good as the older series for music, it has cheaper analog out components. Can't help you with pure CD players though, there are a lot of choices at that price, many better than these denons for music.

[Trevor]

Thanks I am just trying to weed through some of the cd players and find the best for that price. If there is a best one because there are so many cd players out there? I think I would benefit greatly from a new cd player?


Anyone out there, ever used or heard the change from a panasonic combo dvd recorder unit to one that only plays cd's? I am also running adcom gfa555mk11 as my main amp for the 703. This amp sounds good but maybe some of my problem with the harsh sound coming out of the speakers.

This is hard to find the right equipment and make your system sound the best that it can. Way too many choices and personal preferances out there. TM

THanks for any info
Trevor

[Ian D]

Hi Trevor,
I have a Marantz CD5400 which I love using an Anologue conection sounds really sweet through tthe 703's. I have recently compared it to Universal players from Pioneer and Marantz, 7 serires pioneer and the new DV 7600 from Marantz nd despite both these machines costing nearly three times the CD player they cannot hold a torch to it.

[thyname]

Another vote here for Rotel RCD-1072. MSRP USD 700, but you can probably find one used on audiogon or ebay.

[Mitchell]

I use the 1072 with the 703's and am generally very happy but as I have said on another thread the combo seems very revealing of the source recording.
Compared to FM radio, I notice brightness, an/or bad production in some recordings. Early rock and roll records show their thin production. Radio seems to be much more forgiving often on the same recordings. I often wonder if I bought a lousy CD player would the bad recording seem "less bad"
On the other hand good recordings sound awesome!
I hope this is helpful

[PewterTA]

If you want a CD player that is at the same level if not better than the Rotel RCD-1072, I would suggest getting the Cambridge Audio Azur 640c (can be had for $450 shipped) which is a slight bit out of your range...but man it's amazing. The 24-bit Wolfson DAC is as good as the Burr Brown DAC...so you'll get almost the same sound from the two units (just pay a lot less).

I only recommend this player because I demoed both the Rotel 1072 and CA Azur 640c side by side with blind listening tests. So I know you won't be disappointed if you've heard the Rotel one and can't afford it. ;x(

You can find the player (what it looks like) at AudioAdvisor.com. They do a 30 day return policy (no stocking charges) if you don't like the unit, so it's a pretty safe bet.

The things you will notice is the clarity, imaging and placement of instruments. You can litterally tell if an instrument is supposed to be infront of, or behind another sound...really nice.

The unit (if you go into the rotel picture thread and look for my pictures towards the end of it) matches really well with the rotel units (if you have silver or black) The black units look exactly like the black rotel gear. So besides not having the same style, it's a pretty nice match.

The only reason I suggest this player is because of your price you're looking. You will be completely amazed with this unit (very quick access times to CDs, loading/unloading is very quick). Only thing is you have to give the unit the 30 hours break-in time. I thought it sounded good right off the bat, but it definitely sounds better after about 30 - 50 hours on it (even says it right on the box).

I honestly can't say enough good things about this unit, it's right there with the Rotel one, yet not price wise.

If you want help getting it, let me know and I'll help you out.

[js24]

if you don't mind getting used equipments
try MuFi A3.2- used lots of them out there in Audiogon

[rick c]

Are you looking for single or multidisc player.If multidisc take a look at the Marantz cc4300 it's a very fine machine and you can probably get one for less than your budget.It's just a thought.I have one and its great IMHO,not high end but fine non the less.

[jlee]

if you don't mind getting used equipments
try MuFi A3.2- used lots of them out there in Audiogon

That's what I was going to recommend to Trevor. Used A3.2CD can be had for under $1000. I've just recently upgraded my A3.2CD to the A5, and the A5 is SWEET, but for the price, that A3.2CD was damn hard to beat! The A5 only beats it when heard with the finest of equipment. Through 703's, you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. A3.2CD is one of the best values out there. Of course, if you want to stick with $500, then a used Rotel RCD-1072 is always a good bet, but I've never been a fan of the Rotel CD players. I would only go with the Rotel if on a super budget.

[PewterTA]

What's funny is I had my choice on the MF A3.5 CD player, and I still couldn't justify the differences worth the extra money over the CA 640c...

For people on a budget under $500 for a CD player the 640c is tough (if not impossible) to beat, even under the $1000 mark it's a good competition to a lot of them. It just doesn't have the nice frills that a lot of the other ones have.

Don't get me wrong I did think the MF A3.5 was the better of the two. I just couldn't justify the price difference of the two players as the 640c did just as decent of a job.

So since Trevor is in the $400 dollar range...if you can squeeze out an extra $50, you won't be disappointed in the least by it. Any questions feel free to ask.

[js24]

That's what I was going to recommend to Trevor. Used A3.2CD can be had for under $1000. I've just recently upgraded my A3.2CD to the A5, and the A5 is SWEET, but for the price, that A3.2CD was damn hard to beat! The A5 only beats it when heard with the finest of equipment. Through 703's, you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. A3.2CD is one of the best values out there. Of course, if you want to stick with $500, then a used Rotel RCD-1072 is always a good bet, but I've never been a fan of the Rotel CD players. I would only go with the Rotel if on a super budget.

jlee,
I too have the A5
to my ears, A5 sounded better with my 703s :B

no complain about the A5 from me either.. it's a nice piece
btw, do you have the matching A5 amps, too?

[jlee]

What's funny is I had my choice on the MF A3.5 CD player, and I still couldn't justify the differences worth the extra money over the CA 640c...

For people on a budget under $500 for a CD player the 640c is tough (if not impossible) to beat, even under the $1000 mark it's a good competition to a lot of them. It just doesn't have the nice frills that a lot of the other ones have.

Don't get me wrong I did think the MF A3.5 was the better of the two. I just couldn't justify the price difference of the two players as the 640c did just as decent of a job.

So since Trevor is in the $400 dollar range...if you can squeeze out an extra $50, you won't be disappointed in the least by it. Any questions feel free to ask.

The A3.5 looks to be the A3.2 with a new case... I hate it when companies do this. If you look at the specs between the 2, they are IDENTICAL except the A3.2 uses a Sony transport and the A3.5 uses a Philips. The weight listing on the A3.5 looks to be a typo on the MF website. It lists it as being heavier than the A5, and about twice the weight of the A3.2 CD.

Save your money on the A3.5 and get a used A3.2 for half the price... unless you have to have the new look of the A3.5, whcih I admit does look very nice .

[jlee]

jlee,
I too have the A5
to my ears, A5 sounded better with my 703s :B

no complain about the A5 from me either.. it's a nice piece
btw, do you have the matching A5 amps, too?

Cool, we are one of only 1500 owners of the A5 . The A5 has a slightly smoother frequency response and where it really shines is the revealing of all the miniscule details, even when things get busy. Treble is also slightly more defined and harmonically accurate, with just that extra "rightness" to it. The decays of instruments is beautiful.

I do not have the matching A5 amps. I'm using Classe CAM-350's and a Rotel-1098 pre/pro. I'm probably the only guy on here to be using source, cables, preamp, amp, and speakers all from different companies! Weird eh?

If I were doing strictly 2 channel, the matching A5 amps would be the logical choice. However, my setup is all geared for monoblocks now (perfectly lengthed (is that a word?) cables, etc.). I'll eventually snap a few pics for the pictures sticky thread.

Do you have the matching amps?

[krek]

cambridge 640H

I hear good things about the cambridge audio cd players. A nice option would be the azur 640H. This is the same cd player as the 640C wich is unbeatable for the price, but it is combined with a 160gb hard disc for mp3, AAC etc. playback (H= harddisk). There is an option to hook it up to a tv for an on screen menu for making playlists etc. It has USB connetions to load your i-pod and vice versa. Also this machine contains a tuner for wireless internetradio. It has a lot more features, so check out the site of cambridge audio. Here in Holland it costs about a 1000 euro. I don't know if it is shipped oversea.

[sikoniko]

The Jolida 100a (tube) is getting good reviews and it is under $1000.

[akhter]

I use an Arcam CD73, which to me sounded as good as players costing 3 times as much. It is in th $700 range, but u might be able to find either a used one or the CD72, its predessor.