How competitive is my current set up?

[SonicHedgehog]

Currently I have a Pioneer LX86 AV amp powering a MA GS20 surround system. Helping out the LX86 with the two front channels is a Quad 909 power amp. My CD player is a Quad CDP-2 which has just decided it doesn't want to read discs any more and is reluctant to open/close its drawer.

At a rough guess I reckon it'll cost 2-300 quid to repair the CDP-2 if I send it back to Quad. Before I do I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of how competitive it is eight years after I bought it? What would offer comparable performance these days and what would be the next step up?

This is the point where I either stick with what I have for a few more years or start the replacement process so it's important I make the right decision.

Thanks

 

[J J Carter]

Solid Championship team there, but like the MK Dons needs some help

For stereo, I'd suggest bypassing the LX86 AV and get a stereo amp with fixed gain AV input for use with AV system. TBH I'd flog the 909 and CDP-2 and drop in a NaimUniti for all-in-one CD/streamer/pre-amp/stereo amp duties.

The 909 could achieve £500, 'spares or repair' CDP-2, maybe £100-£150 leaving a balance of £2,400 to fund a NaimUniti 2

 

[BlueWizard]

As to the opening and closing of the drawer, that is most likely a belt. Depending on how old it is, the belt could either need to be replaced or simply cleaned. I started having problems with my BluRay ejecting. Opened it up can cleaned the belt and pulleys with alcohol, and it straightened right out.

As to the failure to read discs, this is a little more grave error. I've had players with that problem and after trying to clean the laser lens with a disc cleaner - a CD with brushes on it. The best I could do is scrap it. It is really hard to know if the problem is tracking or if it is the laser. You can replace the laser, assuming you can actually find a replacement. As to the tracking issue, I'm not sure what you can do about it.

You could send it into Quad but you will have to pay for Shop Time even if they can't repair it. Nice unit, but, it would seem the best option is to simply start over.

Steve/bluewizard

 

[DIBSTER]

I have a Creek Evo 2 CDP which I love, in partnership with my matching Creek Evolution 5350 amp, a wonderful combination that I've been using for 3 years now. Early this year I found that the CDP was starting to become a little temperamental very occasionally. In particular there was one specific track on the latest Elbow CD where the player stopped playing at precisely the same point everytime. The same CD played perfectly on every other source I tried, it was just the Evo 2 that had a problem. I cleaned the disc, cleaned the lens etc. to no avail, it stopped at precisely the same point. Also, very very occasionally a disc could be playing away fine and dandy but the time elapsed display was frozen. Very strange behaviour and I just presumed it was the lens playing up. As I wanted to keep the Evo 2 I initially contacted Creek for advice, but rather than post the player to them for repair etc. I found a local engineer who specialised in such things and I took it to him to look at. The upshot was that the lens was fine but the Mech system was shot and I had it replaced. I got it back and it played fine 99.999% of the time, no issues with the display now, but it still struggles to get past the same point on the Elbow CD! It's a mystery but one I can live with.

.

 

[SonicHedgehog]

Thanks for the replies. I'll give Quad a call later this week and try and get an idea of repair cost. If nothing else I'd rather sell a working CD player than a broken one.

If I kept the Quad amp, which I do like a lot, has anyone got any other suggestions for a CD replacement? I'm sure I paid the thick end of a grand for the 99. I've used my £150 bluray player for CD's and it actually does a reasonable job. I think the Naim Uniti2 might be overdoing it a bit, but am I out of touch? WhatHiFi rave about the Marrantz CD player that retails at under £300, but as I'll probably keep this one until it conks out I'm happy to spend some more if it is really worth it.

I know I could go and listen to a few different models but without listening to them with the rest of my kit I'm not sure how much benefit it will have.

 

[SonicHedgehog]

Solid Championship team there, but like the MK Dons needs some help

For stereo, I'd suggest bypassing the LX86 AV and get a stereo amp with fixed gain AV input for use with AV system. TBH I'd flog the 909 and CDP-2 and drop in a NaimUniti for all-in-one CD/streamer/pre-amp/stereo amp duties.

The 909 could achieve £500, 'spares or repair' CDP-2, maybe £100-£150 leaving a balance of £2,400 to fund a NaimUniti 2

Thanks for the suggestion. How much better it the Naim than my Quad? I know we're into the realms of diminishing returns, but am I likely to hear a real difference or will I have to change my speakers as well?