What audio system do you have, or plan on getting?

[Todd]

What I don't find amusing in the least is losing no opportunity to tell them they are wrong.

Audiophile invidious distinction deserves endless mockery.  You can choose to not read the posts.

They may also spend a lot of money on an expensive sports car they are not physically capable of driving at speeds not lawfully permitted where they happen to live. I don't criticise, quite the opposite. Enjoy the feeling of pride of ownership no doubt they have worked hard to obtain.

Automotive invidious distinction deserves endless mockery.

[Florestan]

Audiophile invidious distinction deserves endless mockery.  You can choose to not read the posts.

Can't avoid reading them but can do my best to avoid responding to them. Nay, not can --- must, actually.

[Todd]

Can't avoid reading them but can do my best to avoid responding to them. Nay, not can --- must, actually.

I recommend you put me back on ignore and stick with it this time. 

[Florestan]

I recommend you put me back on ignore and stick with it this time.

I just saw some interesting things you posted in the New Releases thread, so that is not an option. Self-restraint is, but that is not my forte, at least not for extended periods of time. I guess we must just learn to live with each other. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The old CD-player (Philips CD850) of an acquaintance is becoming faulty and the owner of the unit is in the situation of needing a new CD player. The problem is he is retired and not willing to pay a lot. Since normal people stream music these days instead of playing CDs, proper CD-players are targeted and sold merely to audiophiles who are willing to pay more than normal people. That's why the cheapest models are about 400 euros, which is a bit expensive for my acquaintance. DVD/Blu-ray-players are much cheaper, but don't have a display on the unit (everything is on TV screen) so they are not practical for playing CDs. They don't even have RCA connectors. After research the only "affordable" CD-players are cheap products like AUNA AV2-CD509, but going from "luxurious" Philips CD850 to such a cheap player must be quite a drop, perhaps not in sound quality, but in the feel of use. If all people still used CD-player, there would be models from the reliable manufacturers (Denon, Philips, Sony, Yamaha, etc.) at 200-300 euro price range which is what my acquaintance is looking for. It sucks when other people stop doing things the ways you are doing them. You become marginalized and have to pay extra for that.

Used CD-players cost next to nothing, but are risky.

I would suggest that he start checking around for reputable audio stores in his area (might have to travel a bit).  They often have used equipment (either on consignment from customers or have used demo equipment around).  Even if they don't have anything in your friend's price range, a good dealer would make an effort to suggest some places to check and/or models to check out [provided that they are not in the middle of an appointment with someone else].

This article might be of help (There's one there which they talk about for $800.) Or perhaps he could try writing to them?  They might have some ideas.  Interesting to read that apparently CD sales have gone up lately.  Perhaps that might help re availability and price points?  https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/hi-fi/best-cd-players

PD

[71 dB]

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So much for recommending a cheap blu-ray player for playing CDs.  I do see some on Amazon that still have displays and RCA outputs, like the one below, but the obscure brand names don't inspire confidence.  I don't know what the availability is like in Finland.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BL4SKRG/

A used CD player is starting to sound like a better bet.

Thanks about this. Maybe not an unthinkable option, but not an optimal either. There are some similar products at Amazon.de (has to be 230 V model).

[Florestan]

After research the only "affordable" CD-players are cheap products like AUNA AV2-CD509, but going from "luxurious" Philips CD850 to such a cheap player must be quite a drop, perhaps not in sound quality, but in the feel of use

Talk about snake oil! If a "cheap" product does sonically the same thing as a "luxurious" one, why not buy it? Only because one would feel it, not hear it, like a drop? 

[71 dB]

I would suggest that he start checking around for reputable audio stores in his area (might have to travel a bit).  They often have used equipment (either on consignment from customers or have used demo equipment around).  Even if they don't have anything in your friend's price range, a good dealer would make an effort to suggest some places to check and/or models to check out [provided that they are not in the middle of an appointment with someone else].

This article might be of help (There's one there which they talk about for $800.) Or perhaps he could try writing to them?  They might have some ideas.  Interesting to read that apparently CD sales have gone up lately.  Perhaps that might help re availability and price points?  https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/hi-fi/best-cd-players

PD

He lives near the centrum of Helsinki. Stores are near. They have bought some used CD-players for other use (not the main system) and those players have generated faults quickly. That's why he is done with used players and would want to buy new. It is just crazy that the price jumps from about 100 euros (used) to 400 euros (new) and his budget is in the middle (200-300 euros). He needs a wicked "Black Friday" type deal that sells a 400 euros entry level Denon or similar for 270 euros or something like that. Too bad it's almost a year to the next "Black Friday".

Yes, there seems to be a CD revival following the vinyl revival. I have been anticipating it as long as people have been saying CD is dying away. Physical media doesn't die just like that. CD is a REALLY good music format. Maybe manufacturers should start introducing models at 200-300 euros "entry level" price range again?

[71 dB]

Talk about snake oil! If a "cheap" product does sonically the same thing as a "luxurious" one, why not buy it? Only because one would feel it, not hear it, like a drop? 

The sound quality isn't the issue. Digital audio technology has matured to the point were a $10 DAC gives totally transparent sound. The issue is for how long does it take until the unit develops issues, in other words build quality.

[71 dB]

I think that everyone is entitled to spend their lawfully acquired money in whatever way they see fit as long as they do no harm to other people. Of course I'd prefer anyone to spend it wisely and even altruistically, but there is no way to translate this preference into reality.

Well I'd like to spend my money for example on a region B Blu-ray of Michael Haneke's movie "Piano Teacher" with English or/and Finnish subtitles. Add old Pink Panther Movies to that for a start. I can't do that, because nobody (well the copyright owners in this case) are offering those to be bought.

[Florestan]

The sound quality isn't the issue. Digital audio technology has matured to the point were a $10 DAC gives totally transparent sound. The issue is for how long does it take until the unit develops issues, in other words build quality.

Does anyone today really expect a product, be it a car, a CD player or an automated laundry machine to last more than a few years after its warranty expires? Especially when most of them or at least most of their parts are usually "Made in China"? Especially when built-in obsolescence has been around for quite some time? I doubt that a $10 DAC, if handled and taken care of properly, is less reliable than a 500 Euro Philips CD player. They are both designed to last only so many years. All the more reason to go for cheap rather than luxurious if one is not an audiophile.

[Florestan]

Well I'd like to spend my money for example on a region B Blu-ray of Michael Haneke's movie "Piano Teacher" with English or/and Finnish subtitles. Add old Pink Panther Movies to that for a start. I can't do that, because nobody (well the copyright owners in this case) are offering those to be bought.

Then you have two options: save the money hoping one day they will become available, or spending them on something else. Either way, it's your own decision about what to do with your own money. 

[71 dB]

Does anyone today really expect a product, be it a car, a CD player or an automated laundry machine to last more than a few years after its warranty expires? Especially when most of them or at least most of their parts are usually "Made in China"? Especially when built-in obsolescence has been around for quite some time? I doubt that a $10 DAC, if handled and taken care of properly, is less reliable than a 500 Euro Philips CD player. They are both designed to last only so many years. All the more reason to go for cheap rather than luxurious if one is not an audiophile.

Buying cheap crap all the time is so wasteful. We need to change it for ecological reasons.

[71 dB]

Then you have two options: save the money hoping one day they will become available, or spending them on something else. Either way, it's your own decision about what to do with your own money. 

If everything possible was available, I truly could make my own 100 % decision about what to do with my own money. That's not the case. I make the decisions within what is available, which is decided by other people.

[Florestan]

Buying cheap crap all the time is so wasteful.

I have fully functional cheap crap that I bought 10 years ago. That is hardly "all the time".

As an aside, I bought my Hyundai Accent in 2004, at which time most people considered it cheap Korean crap. Twenty-two years later it runs as smooth as back then, while many of those people have long since replaced their Mercedeses, BMWs and Fords because they were sick and tired of investing into repairing them every two years or even less.

[Florestan]

I make the decisions within what is available, which is decided by other people.

Welcome to the real world.

[71 dB]

I have fully functional cheap crap that I bought 10 years ago. That is hardly "all the time".

You know it today that the "crap" lasted 10 years, but you didn't know it when you bought it. That's why you calculate the risk level when you think about buying something. Also, I am not buying a CD-player here! I am only helping another person and it is HIS MONEY and HIS decision.

I am interested about the "gap" in the 200-300 euros range with CD-players so I brought this up.

As an aside, I bought my Hyundai Accent in 2004, at which time most people considered it cheap Korean crap. Twenty-two years later it runs as smooth as back then, while many of those people have long since replaced their Mercedeses, BMWs and Fords because they were sick and tired of investing into repairing them every two years or even less.

Congratulations!

[Florestan]

You know it today that the "crap" lasted 10 years, but you didn't know it when you bought it. That's why you calculate the risk level when you think about buying something.

Ten years ago I had the alternative of buying cheap crap or not buying anything at all because of financial constraints. I didn't calculate any risk level, I just went for the only affordable option.

Nowadays I'm wiser: I know from experience that "cheap crap" is quite reliable, so I still go for it.

[Florestan]

Congratulations!

Actually, congratulations to Hyundai Motors Company engineers and workers! Splendid job, gentlemen!

[Spotted Horses]

In my new residence the HVAC system is rather noisy and the whooshing noise is just loud enough to interfere with listening with my favorite open ear headphones (Beyerdynamic T1). I also have closed back headphones (Denon AH-D2000, Sennheiser HD-280 pro) which I will try but I think noise canceling headphones will be necessary. Can anyone recommend noise canceling headphones which give an "audiophile" experience. I have the previous generation Bose headphones which work with a wired connection (quiet comfort 25) and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, which have Bluetooth connection. Another option is Apple AirPods Max (full size ear covering noise canceling headphones).

I'm wondering if people have experience with these, or if there are options that are preferable.