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what's the first piece of audiphile equipment one should buy?

post #1 of 24
6/7/10 at 6:37am
Thread Starter 
i was thinking of this.

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Marantz-CD5003/

i do have a set of speakers and headphones. i mostly use headphones though so i thoght about getting the item above to use with headphones and cd's.

any better ideas? i don't understand what the reviewer means by agile because i don't know how to build a system. i quote, "Not the most agile player this sort of money will buy".
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post #2 of 24
6/7/10 at 4:40pm
By agile the reviewer (I didn't read the review) probably means how the player handles transient signals?

Are you definitely going to be using headphones? If so, what are you using now?

And do you plan on listening primarily to CDs?

The first piece I would look for would be an excellent pair of headphones. If I were building a system around loudspeakers, I would probably buy a top notch receiver/integrated amp first.

Also, if you're set on a hi-fi cd player, I would take a look at offerings from Oppo. I have heard their players recommended constantly by everyone who owns one.
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post #3 of 24
6/7/10 at 7:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrewc2232 View Post
By agile the reviewer (I didn't read the review) probably means how the player handles transient signals? Are you definitely going to be using headphones? If so, what are you using now? And do you plan on listening primarily to CDs? The first piece I would look for would be an excellent pair of headphones. If I were building a system around loudspeakers, I would probably buy a top notch receiver/integrated amp first. Also, if you're set on a hi-fi cd player, I would take a look at offerings from Oppo. I have heard their players recommended constantly by everyone who owns one.
yes definitely using headphones. i have grado s60 and a denon hd 501. yes i plan to use this just for cd's. not building a system around loud speakers yet but perhaps when i get a bigger place where i can have a music room. that's still a long way down the road. thanks for the suggestions!
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post #4 of 24
6/7/10 at 8:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by derekzee View Post
i was thinking of this.

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Marantz-CD5003/

i do have a set of speakers and headphones. i mostly use headphones though so i thoght about getting the item above to use with headphones and cd's.

any better ideas? i don't understand what the reviewer means by agile because i don't know how to build a system. i quote, "Not the most agile player this sort of money will buy".

Not recommended. I don't like the Marantz CD players. Very soft and fuzzy on the highs. Look for a used/new Rotel or Cambridge Audio player. Get an Oppo BD-83 for better sound.
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post #5 of 24
6/7/10 at 9:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
Not recommended. I don't like the Marantz CD players. Very soft and fuzzy on the highs. Look for a used/new Rotel or Cambridge Audio player. Get an Oppo BD-83 for better sound.

they have this brand in the store too. don't think it was a cd player though. marantz is just the brand i know of that's why i asked.

the oppo must be really good for the both of you to recommend them. i will ask them if they have it.
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post #6 of 24
6/7/10 at 9:19pm
The Oppo 83 is actually a Blu-Ray player, but with an excellent 32-bit DAC for sound quality.
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post #7 of 24
6/8/10 at 12:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrewc2232 View Post
The Oppo 83 is actually a Blu-Ray player, but with an excellent 32-bit DAC for sound quality.

And it play SACD and DVD-Audio discs which sound terrific.
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post #8 of 24
6/13/10 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrewc2232 View Post
The Oppo 83 is actually a Blu-Ray player, but with an excellent 32-bit DAC for sound quality.

Ah yes, isn't this the one that Lexicon put in a bigger case with a 1000% markup?
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post #9 of 24
6/13/10 at 6:37pm
....
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post #10 of 24
6/13/10 at 6:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carl_paris View Post
Ah yes, isn't this the one that Lexicon put in a bigger case with a 1000% markup?

yes
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post #11 of 24
6/13/10 at 7:06pm
First step? I'd buy my NAD C325BEE that I'm selling. Great amp with built-in headphone amp. Excellent building block for a starter audiophile all for only $325 shipped!
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post #12 of 24
6/13/10 at 7:24pm
I can't believe there hasn't been a single LK post in this thread yet.

-
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post #13 of 24
6/13/10 at 7:54pm
My advice would be as follows:

1. Upgrade the sound card on the PC you posted this thread with. Make sure it has digital output capability (optical, HDMI, etc.) for future receiver connectivity.

2. Burn CDs to hard drive using lossless format of your choice.

3. Download free playback software such as Foobar, or just use WMP. I'd suggest the freeware though.

4. Plug headphones in and enjoy. When the time comes, invest in the absolute best speakers you can afford that sound good to you, then buy a receiver (whatever has enough oomph to drive them and has whatever other features you need: Internet, USB, the level of surround you want, etc.) Connect PC to receiver. Enjoy.
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post #14 of 24
6/14/10 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrounger View Post
My advice would be as follows:

1. Upgrade the sound card on the PC you posted this thread with. Make sure it has digital output capability (optical, HDMI, etc.) for future receiver connectivity.

2. Burn CDs to hard drive using lossless format of your choice.

3. Download free playback software such as Foobar, or just use WMP. I'd suggest the freeware though.

4. Plug headphones in and enjoy. When the time comes, invest in the absolute best speakers you can afford that sound good to you, then buy a receiver (whatever has enough oomph to drive them and has whatever other features you need: Internet, USB, the level of surround you want, etc.) Connect PC to receiver. Enjoy.

This/\\
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post #15 of 24
6/14/10 at 1:58pm
If you're looking for CDP, I suggest looking in the used market -- a lot more bang for the buck there.

Best sounding used CDP in your price range I've heard is the Esound E5. I have owned the Signature version of this player and it's amazing.

I also have an Oppo 83 and it does produce excellent CD playback sound ... plus it's a BluRay player with an amazing video processing chip, so you get the added benefit of one of the best BR players on the market as well.

I'm considering moving to the SE version of the Oppo player for even better audio.
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