I'll make it easy on you.

Go to Music Direct and buy this:

Marantz Universal Player marked down from 699 to 249.

Buddha is right Marantz makes some of the best CD players from a major manufacturer. Actually, Music Direct also has the DV7001 (http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73833) on sale for not much more than the one Buddha recommended and it is leaps and bounds better sounding. That might be a mistake on their website but if they honor that price it's absolutely a STEAL!

The fact that it's a single disc is also in it's favor. I'm an album listener so for me the multi-disc is useless. Plus the changing mechanism must cost quite a bit of money, money that isn't going to sound quality. That mechanism also has to allow more vibrations in than a single tray, potentially reducing the accuracy of the laser. Plus, it's another thing that can break. If you occasionally need a changer for parties (hey you are in college) or whatever you can always get a really, really cheap one at a pawn ship.

I have a VC-6001 and love it. You can change the sampling rate, and it's SACD capable, too.

This is an overgereneralization, of course, but SACD players seem to do a better job with CD's than CD-only players. Again, a generalization only.

I don't do video, but the player will if you want to.

For that damn price, I can't think of a criticism.

If your budget can extend, look at the DV 7001 at 399.00.

Quote:
What can I expect from a demo product?

Also I read a review saying that changing and loading CD's in the VC 6001 took ages...

Did you notice that at all Buddha?

If either unit is 'hibernating,' it takes exactly ten seconds from when I hit a button until I get, "Yes, sir!"

Seems long at the moment, but I've timed it.

If the unit is already paying attention, it is instant.

Quote:
ok... but I still need an answer on what is meant by a demo product?

Was it on a store shelf on display for people to touch and ruin? Or does that mean that it was given to a respectable audio reviewer to test?

"Demo" means 'still covered by the manufacturer's warranty and has already been proven to work right.'

Either way, "Demo" usually = bargain.

I have had a NAD C541i that I use in my lounge to play CDs when the TV isn't on. It has performed well for over 4 years or more and has a great sound, especially on some HDCD encoded CD's.

I haven't heard the MARANTZ - VC 6001, but the NAD C541i was highly rated as a CD Player when it was released worldwide in its price and class. It was NADs Classic Line, top of the line model. Been replaced by the NAD C542. I'd recommend it over the MARANTZ - VC 6001 5 disk.

Wise choice.

Congrats!

The one thing to remember when you get it is to hook it up to a TV at first to get the proper settings done. To choose upsampling for CD play you have to have an available screen to set it up. Then you can take that terrible sound ruining tele-device and place it back in the closet!

I prefer the higher rate upsampling setting with that unit.

Best wishes!

Yes, I'm at work trying to remember which player does what. I think there is a front panel switch for that, but I might be thinking of another model.

Emotiva is getting ready to launch their new CD player in February. Check out these features:

1. 24 bit processor with 384 x oversampling. (Most 'high end' players are 24 bit with 192 x oversampling)

2. Frequency response is 5hz to...absolute daylight. from 20hz to 20khz, it's flat as a board.

3. 4 independent power supplies, to drive each section of the unit separately. (1. CD carriage/2. digital portion/3. analogue portion/4. display) This prevents the different sections from interacting and causing noise.

4. The CD drive mechanism and the digital portion of the audio is encased in a steel substructure that shields it 100% from the audio stages. No noise from the mechanism or digital portion can get into the audio.

5. The audio board itself is fully isolated from the power supply and digital poritons and offers a fully discrete output stage, capable of producing 7 volts of output (no wimpy 2 volt output here!).

6. Sexy slot-load system with halo lighting.

7. Halo lighting brightens during functions like fast forward, next, previous, etc., them dims to low setting within a few seconds.

8. Remote control.

9. The DAC is the Analog Devices 1955.

10. The amps are Burr Brown OPA2134.

Although not official the price is believed to be around $499. To see a picture of the unit go to www.hifirotation.com

I just ordered the single disc version the Marantz 6100 off of MusicDirect...was on sale for $250!

just an FYI as I know some people didn't like the fact that the one mentioned upthread was a 5 CD changer..

anyway can't wait to hear it.

Marantz 6100 on sale now at MusicDirect

Yes, you can write on 'em with a marker - no problem at all. I like the retractable "Sharpie" permanent marker.

I have tweaked it with a sorbothane grip wrap to make for a smoother writing experience.
Cryogenic treatment, however, had a negative effect on its calligraphic flow.

Very impressed with my initial listening last night.

one problem though:

Buddha, you said to turn on the CD upsampling. which i did, but to my ears it made everything sound really harsh and trebly, for lack of a better term...

am I missing something? I did the maximum level..should I try the middle setting? Because frankly I seemed to prefer it off so far.

I read some stuff on the Internet about CD "upsampling" and frankly I read so much contradictory/confusing stuff I really don't know what to think anymore...

Quote:
Very impressed with my initial listening last night.

one problem though:

Buddha, you said to turn on the CD upsampling. which i did, but to my ears it made everything sound really harsh and trebly, for lack of a better term...

am I missing something? I did the maximum level..should I try the middle setting? Because frankly I seemed to prefer it off so far.

I read some stuff on the Internet about CD "upsampling" and frankly I read so much contradictory/confusing stuff I really don't know what to think anymore...

As I have played more, there are discs that sound better to me with different settings.

Examples:

Bob Dylan's new Bootleg Series discs - best on the highest upsampling.

Cowboy Junkies' "End of Paths Taken" best at 'regular.

Roxy Music's "Avalon" - top setting.

This is completely uninformed conjecture...I wonder how compression affects the sound of upsampling? Does it matter?

Let's see if we have some discs in common and compare impressions.

I am hosting an 'amateur night' party tonight for the temporarily pseudo-Irish from work, and have another work thing tomorrow; but Thursday and Friday I could spend some time listening to what we have in common!

Cheers.

Addendum: Neil Young's Massey Hall disc sounds better upsampled.

Los Lobos "The Town and the City," not.

hmm odd that it would affect stuff in different ways.

well, i guess i will just have to keep it off, as i don't have a TV hooked up to it, so to swap I have to take it into the living room, hook it up, and it's a big pain...

either way, i'm loving the way it sounds! listened to "oar" by skip spence last night and wow it sounded great