HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Sitting around unused for several years is a CDP that I picked up for 10 euro in a thrift shop - a Denon DCD-520 from around 1989. Nice solid device with a smooth, slow drawer (don't you just love 'em), no remote and only analogue output.

This model was at the lower-end of the Denon range with 4x oversampling but the sound is truly remarkable - full and rich with tremendous detail and presence. Got it hooked up to my bedroom setup with Sansui AU217 amp and NVA Cube3 (1990) speakers.



Lovely relaxing sound and excellent tracking - no problems even on 'difficult' discs.

Linn Classik - thats a classic cd player and amp rolled in to one

Not what I would call a 'Classic' CD player - actually it's rather ugly.

Now this is what I lovingly refer to as 'The Beast'! A stonking great battleship of a player, the Kenwood DP 4090.



Another thrift shop find. This has a superb transport and sounds lean, mean and huge. Tracking is sometimes a bit dodgy - although I attribute that to age; cleaning the lens and laser-assembly rails helped a lot. The internal DAC can sound a bit too forward and brittle but the top-model of the series, DP 7090, is reputed to sound totally awesome with the extra-large casing filled by several extra DAC boards.

Not in the same class as your Cambridge transport / DAC set up though?

Incidentally, did the Linn Classik cd player combined amp also possess a phono stage too?

Not that I recall (and I owned one for a while).
https://www.stereophile.com/cdplayers/307/index.html

Thanks, Terry. I have a pal who has asked me to try and help him find a turntable / amp / loudspeakers combination for around £500. Just for a small flat he has moved into. I find myself constantly contemplating the best way to spend his cash.

Regarding the speakers you could have a look at TSM. That was a little manufacture in Bavaria in the eighties doing great speakers. They go for little money on ebay. I have the TSM Puris 100 (2-ways) in my second system. If 3-way is preferred the TSM Puris 62, 200 or 400 are great.

Cheers. Not familiar with the brand. Will investigate. I believe small loudspeakers would be preferable to large. I reckon the largest part of the budget will go on the turntable. Got to be looking at a Rega 3 or Revolver.