QuestionHello, I have to replace my Adcom CD player. I have 1970s Magneplanar speakers, same period GAS pre-amp and amp. (I still have a turntable--a Planar 3.) Can you give me a few suggestions for replacing my CD player? My CD player tray cannot be wider than 14-inches. Although my current player takes 5 discs, I'm more concerned about the width of a replacement than the number of CDs I can load.
AnswerCD players are rapidly becoming just a commodity item. They are very inexpensive at the low end but much overpriced at the high end and esoteric end of the market.
The better buy - from an investment point of view - is a dvd player; there are more choices and they will play cds just fine.
For small units that will easily fit within your 14 inch limit there is a wide range of portables. They can be found for $5.00 each and up.
DVD players that will play cds just fine and are about 10 inches wide there are found in Walmart, Bestbuy, Circuitcity and such places for $20 and up (and they have good sound quality; for example I purchased one at a Shopko store for $25 a few months ago and have been using it as a CD player and the sound quality is surprisingly good!)....
But, here is one example for you to consider:
TruTech® DVD Player - Silver (TT320) from Target.com. This unit is available in most stores. It is on sale now for $19.95. It is not a super hi-fidelity device, but I think you will find it will sound as good as your Adcom. And, it is easily replaced for not much money. This unit is about 10" wide (I could not find the exact specs, but I have visually seen this model and my guess is not too far off).
High end units are mostly over 14 inch width. They run 15 to 17 inches. Sony and Pioneer have good changers from 5 discs up to 400 discs, but none of them are under 14 inches.
I searched the high end market AND the esoteric up to $20,000 for cd/dvd players and could not find one under the 14 inch width that you desire!
Hope this helps.
C
