Studer A730 and D730 CD player

[Ki Choi]

These 16/44.1 RedBook CD players sell for more than $2000 on eBay regularly when you can buy the latest Oppo 95 for $999.

Other than the usual Studer build quality and use of the Philips DAC chip (TD1541?) for broadcast equipment, I can't relate to why these +20 year old players are in such a high demand.

Have I missed something?

Has any of the forum members actually used the Studer CD player and can comment on its sonic performance in comparison to more modern disc players?

 

[Steve Williams]

I would bet that you are paying for the name "Studer"

 

[Bruce B]

I would bet that you are paying for the name "Studer"

+1 ... unfortunately looked what happend to Cadillac with the Cimarron or the Porsche 944.. they were both a POS.

 

[Steve Williams]

or the Cadillac Catera

 

[tony ky ma]

Toshiba HD DVD player VS Meridian 526 CD player

I am not a digital fan guy but still play with CD sometime, I took over my kid's Toshiba HD DVD player (around $100 today's value) to play CD vs Meridian 526 CD player (over $2000 10 years ago which I paid), now I let my friend to have the Meridian because I don't need two CD player
tony ma

 

[microstrip]

I would bet that you are paying for the name "Studer"

Can I re-phrase it?
You are paying for the fact that Studer do not put their name in anything that it is not state-of-the-art in build quality. And also for their scarcity and their unusual cue system.

This hobby has many aspects - one of them can be just collecting. I have a good friend who is an hifi collector - he has a very large house full of high-end systems. Every time he visits me he covets my Revox tuner - I can imagine that if it was a Studer A726 I would have to hide it!

 

[ANTONO810]

I have a studer A730. It has a very good sound, detailed, clean, without being cold. Possibly today there are better DACs ... or not.

 

[kach22i]

I have a studer A730. It has a very good sound, detailed, clean, without being cold. Possibly today there are better DACs ... or not.

I did an image search on your unit, and I'm in love.

Good industrial design sells.

Reminds me of the old Grassroots Motorsports article comparing the track times of a modern minivan Vs an old Porsche 356 convertible.

Minivan had better track time, but which would you rather drive to enjoy the fall colors in?