wickedweasel 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2006 since most forumers here seem interested mainly in high-end audiophilic products, this will prob be one of the most lonely and ignored section/thread in sgheadphone but i'll juz try my luck. i'm currently using a pcdp as my main player and am looking to upgrade to a better source. As i juz started working, a dedicated cdp (such as those from marantz, denon etc) seems extravagant at the moment, so i'm thinking of buying a mini/micro hifi system. since i'm a radio listener and will be using headphones, such a smallish system (without those booming speakers) seem to fit my needs. unlike for high end audio products, i guess nobody would waste their time sussing out the pros and cons of different micro/mini hifis. But perhaps fellow forumers could help by reviewing briefly the systems they have or had (eg. brand, price, model etc). Surely , surely, surely, not everyone here started off with a high end cdp? thank you in advance for any replies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wickedweasel 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2006 thanks for the help topgun. could u recommend any shops willing to just sell the base units? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mackie 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2006 Harvey Norman, Best denki, etc. Btw, the cdps that you'd mentioned are not high end. Don't be surprised by the fact that good sounding mini/compo could (would, IMHO) cost more than a reasonably good sounding entry level Marantz CD5400/5100 model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wickedweasel 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2006 hi Mackie, u've hit on an issue tt i struggled with. I've a $500 (give or take) budget to work with n i dunno whether to go with a more complete (with tuner etc) mini-compo or a dedicated cdp. I did check out echoloft for potential second-hand cdps but din find any i really like. i also considered keeping my pcdp and add an amp instead but from what i've read, it seems this would not be a huge improvement (of cos i might be mistaken). Hence i tot the best, n prob easiest way, was to buy a compo. If u feel otherwise, i'd be keen to hear ur advice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mackie 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2006 (edited) The latest Marantz CD5100 cdp costs only $350. Marantz usually have pretty good headphone-out circuitry and therefore, you can plug in your cans direct if you don't have a headamp. With balance of $150, you can get any cheap mini for radio. I have a cheap Enzer mini which sounds crab with cd but its tuner function is very sensitve and good. U can also choose to buy one from yahoo classifieds/auctions. Afterall, radio is not a priority right? Here is a summary of my thoughts: 1. Marantz CD5100 + cheap mini compo for radio listening 2. Marantz CD5100 + Xiangsheng 708B or Original Master headamps (new $250/used $200 or below respectively) 3. Present pcdp + PA2V2 and other portable headamps + mini compo My suggestion? Go slow and steady but objectively. Buy a Marantz or any dedicated cdp you like and live with it for a while. Once you get used to the sound, add an amp but hear for improvement. If it ain't there, skip the amp for now and get a cheap mini compo for radio and a portable amp for your pcdp. As time goes by undertaking this course of action, you would eventually end up with a home based cdp+headamp system (the amp will come in later, I promise), a mini compo for radio/casual cd playback and a portable system. Edited August 29, 2006 by Mackie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hnx676 0 Report post Posted May 1, 2007 check out mini hifi from denon, yamaha and marantz ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kookie 0 Report post Posted May 3, 2008 i think Marantz CD5100 cdp is a good entry level dedicated cdps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wma 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2008 i think Marantz CD5100 cdp is a good entry level dedicated cdps what's the price like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yakman 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 CD walkman + a pair of Loudspeakers... (Handphone as radio) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
somebody 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 The latest Marantz CD5100 cdp costs only $350. Marantz usually have pretty good headphone-out circuitry and therefore, you can plug in your cans direct if you don't have a headamp. With balance of $150, you can get any cheap mini for radio. I have a cheap Enzer mini which sounds crab with cd but its tuner function is very sensitve and good. U can also choose to buy one from yahoo classifieds/auctions. Afterall, radio is not a priority right? but wouldn't one need to buy speakers and amp in addition to the Marantz CD5100 right? advice? =) i'm in the same situation as the thread starter. =) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackmouth0 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 the Marantz 5100 still in production? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites