Is The Rotel 965 still a viable option?

[rossman]

Earlier this week I recieved a Rotel RCD965 in u/s condition. This was a player that I wanted when it was originally issued but was beyond my budget at the time.

It arrived without the transit bolts and it looks as though this has led to damage as there are parts rattling about inside and the drawer will not come out. I am currently negotiating with the seller for a refund.

The point of this post is to find out if any members have used this player in the past or are even still using one one and would like to give an opinion on how good or bad it is.

I am seriously missing my Meridian 206 that canjunkie is manfully working on in some of his spare moments and may or may not be able to get working again. So a replacement is in order, I would be seriously pushed to afford another Meridian at the moment but might be able to get a Rotel if I can find one at a good price and somewhere close so that it doesn't have to be posted.

Look forward to finding out your views.

[Deleted]

Now't wrong with a Rotel RCD965 (BX even better). In the same class was the Marantz CD63se (Mk I or II) also very fine.

If any cdp had transport screws originally make sure the seller confirms he still has them and will pop them in situ before shipping.

Depending on your budget I've seen Marantz CD63KI MkII s go for under £100. These are significantly better on SQ but because so many were sold their 2nd value is buyer freindly.

I sold enough of them to know their reliability and longevity was as good as any other.

My only cause for concern would be the age of the lasers, 206 assemblies these are not! Having said that I bought a 2nd hand 506/24 which needed a new laser in next to no time, but has been great since.

[tg]

In a similar vein, I have a couple (1 for spare) of Marantz CD52SE MkII that I find very good.
IIRC Pink picked one up for peanuts around 12 months ago.
I have fitted the one I use with Burson opamps and clock mod, they seem pretty durable and use the swing arm laser assembly which many swear by.
Might be worth a look for one.
Get the MkII SE model, has lots of cap upgrades etc over the standard.
Forgot to mention, these should have transport pins too.

[rossman]

Thanks fellas

Nov 28, 2008 20:39:02 GMT @cjarchez said:

Now't wrong with a Rotel RCD965 (BX even better). In the same class was the Marantz CD63se (Mk I or II) also very fine.

If any cdp had transport screws originally make sure the seller confirms he still has them and will pop them in situ before shipping.

Depending on your budget I've seen Marantz CD63KI MkII s go for under £100. These are significantly better on SQ but because so many were sold their 2nd value is buyer freindly.

I sold enough of them to know their reliability and longevity was as good as any other.

My only cause for concern would be the age of the lasers, 206 assemblies these are not! Having said that I bought a 2nd hand 506/24 which needed a new laser in next to no time, but has been great since.

I had a standard Marantz CD63 and didn't really enjoy it. I have also had a CD52mkII and liked that much more due to its warmer bass. However I found it a bit veiled overall. In fact I still have the 52 but it is in bits as the laser mech is with canjunkie in an attempt to get the 206 working. I was thinking about the possibility of transferring the drawer mech from the 52 into the Rotel if they are the same, both use the CDM4/19 laser assembly I think.

I will definitely be finding out if the transport screws are available before bidding in future - lesson learnt.

I was also considering this cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170283119913 but am concerned about the mention of levels of hum. There is a good possibility it will go quickly at that price I would think. I cant get the link to copy fully so it will have to be copied and pasted.

[rossman]

For the price of the Oppo, I could probably pick up a Meridian 206 and be certain that I would have a sound that I know and like.

[rossman]

During the week I was able to get into town and popped into Cash Converters to see if they had any decent CD players. They had a 965BX in gwo complete with remote, no transit screws but as I was taking it myself and there is a 60 day warranty I decided to give it a try. It is in reasonable condition and after giving it a few days to warm up it is sounding pretty good. I still think the Meridian is a better player but the Rotel will do for the moment and it was less than I paid for the player on ebay.

Definitely a lesson learnt here.

[blackglass]

I love the sound of the 965. I have a standard player and a discrete model with the discrete output stage, although I don't use them much these days. If you want to get your soldering iron dirty, Net Audio offers some straight forward improvements including varying levels of clock, a matching power supply and cap and I/C changes www.net-audio.co.uk/965discrete.html