Alternatives to BOSE CD player please

Amanita_2

I am hunting for a new CD player. I want a stand alone unit and the BOSE Wave ticks most of the boxes other than it is very overpriced.

Can anyone recommend a decent alternative? Budget isn't really an issue (within reason!)

I'm not really interested in anything that stores your whole collection in MP3 format, just a simple CD player with very good sound quality, SACD compatability would be nice but not essential.

WhiteChristmas

Depends what you listen to, really. The detail of a high quality Rachmaninov recording needs different kit from, say, the latest Take That album to bring out its best.

Look up your nearest branch of Richer Sounds. Go in, tell them what you want and what your budget is and they'll see you right.

You're dead right about the Bose.

Mr_Oink

BOSE. Um, was that not 'Buy Other Sound Equipment'?

Have Richer Sounds not got something of similar spec for a tenth of the price?

Owain_Moneysaver

Roberts have several Sound Docks (John Lewis).

The DAB/CD one is about £200 which is a bit better than the Bose Wave! It plays "MP3 / WMA (from CD)"

John_Gray

Amanita wrote: »

I am hunting for a new CD player. I want a stand alone unit and the BOSE Wave ticks most of the boxes other than it is very overpriced.

Sir (or possibly Madam?), you are a master (mistress?) of understatement... :T

Amanita_2

Looks like I'm going to have to find the nearest Richer Sounds then. Hope they are friendly. This is all a different language to me!

Thanks all.

poppy10_2

Mr_Oink wrote: »

BOSE. Um, was that not 'Buy Other Sound Equipment'?

No Highs, No Lows... Must be Bose!

Don't get taken in by the shiny advertising, Bose products are terrible quality, you can bet much better equipment for a fraction of the price.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Amanita wrote: »

I am hunting for a new CD player. I want a stand alone unit and the BOSE Wave ticks most of the boxes other than it is very overpriced.

Can anyone recommend a decent alternative? Budget isn't really an issue (within reason!)

I'm not really interested in anything that stores your whole collection in MP3 format, just a simple CD player with very good sound quality, SACD compatability would be nice but not essential.

The thing with SACD [ Hybrid Multi / single / or / stereo -Channel ] is the connections to modern receivers / amps, very few, even the expensive ones will work through a digital connection but do not have an analogue connection.

To play SACD :

- you have to use the 5.1 analog inputs of the receiver
- if you use the 2 channel analog inputs or a digital cable, you can only play the 2 channel portion of an SACD
- hybrids contain both a normal redbook CD layer as well as a high resolution SACD layer

NOTE1 - the reason I mention this is lesser mortals, especially those who work in Richer Sounds may not know this and may sell you the wrong thing for profit. However unlike many I have found my local branch of that particular retailer to be more than helpful at ' swapping out ' stuff that is not satisfactory for my needs.

NOTE2 - HDMi / SPdif / Optical etc do not sit well with your 10 year old SACD medium. In your case , you want a stand~alone so you must [ if that's what you want ] make sure the sales wo/man understands it must play SADC !

I

Amanita_2

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

In your case , you want a stand~alone so you must [ if that's what you want ] make sure the sales wo/man understands it must play SADC !

I

Thank you - that is helpful. I can use our main sound system for the few SACDs I have which is why compatability on a stand alone isn't vital.

Is it actually worth paying the extra for the facility on a stand-alone? If it doesn't make much difference to the price then it would be nice but I can certainly live without it on a secondary player.

tweeter

http://www.brennan.co.uk/ HTH

Jeff_Bridges_hair

I have no idea why people are telling you to go to richer sounds. You want quality then try sevenoaks hifi http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/home.aspx for some nice kit.

what is your budget.

and for those slagging Bose - get real. Probably borne out of not being able to afford it.