Though I've heard nicer players, including Parasound's higher model 2000 which retail for well over $1000, I think this player is a terrific bargain for its price. I recently bought one used and I am very happy with it. I don't care too much about programming, and as some reviews note it is a bit weak on that front. Sound and imaging, however, are fantastic, and I (surprisingly) have encountered no difficulty with skipping at all on any disc I've listened to. For $400 or less if you get it used, I have yet to hear a more impressive player. I compared to the NAD 512, the Cambridge Audio CD4, a Rotel model and a Marantz model (forget which ones) and this one won out on all fronts.
I use it with a Parasound DAC-1500 and an old Denon receiver playing into Paradigm Monitor 7s, for what that's worth. I'd give it 4 1/2 starts if that were an option. It's not perfect, but hard to beat at its price point.

Mine has never skipped (knock wood) I treat my CDs with kid gloves, so they aren't covered with scratches or fingerprint dirt.. Ive heard nothing better at less than a grand. Check it out! By the way, I understand (from a Stereophile column) that Parasound has extended their warranty to five years parts and labor, ten years parts, for purchases after some datre in January , 1998. In terms of value, I give it a 5. PS: It's still digital. I enjoy it immensly, but will generally pick vinyl if I've got the choice.

This is a follow-up review of this terrific player. I mentioned in Oct 97 that I had encountered skipping problems. It got to a point where it would not even read off certain CDs. Frustrated, I spoke to a Parasound dealer here in Az (Esoteric Audio - Blake) and he advised me to leave the unit "on" overnight. In fact, I should just leave it on and don't turn it off (unless there is an impending thunderstorm). This is because most digital gears need some time to be thermally stabilized, after which they should perform better.
I went back home, did as what he advised and voila ! On the very next day, as I put in the CD that it won't read, it instant registered the disc and was all ready to play. Not only that, there was no skipping problem at all and the sound staging actually opened up, with a warmer, smoother sound coming from the player. I forgot to mention that I had hooked it up with Parasound's DAC-1600 (yep, I also left that "on" overnight). The sound had actually improved ! What can I say ? I had wanted to trade it off for another CD transport (either the Parasound CBD-2000 player, Theta Pearl etc). I guess I'll never turn it off again (understand now Parasound's ad about the "off" switch) and I couldn't be happier with its performance.

Comparisons with Sony DVPs500D showed MUCH better resolution, (I know, I know the s500d is a DVD player, but a darned good one) Anyway, the Parasound is better, it's velvety quiet, and I can hear breath intakes between flute notes on Chesky's Herbie Mann CD. I tried 5 or 6 CD's on both and ALWAYS ended up prefering the Parasound. I bought it used for $300, and I think you could probably find it cheaper. Have had no skipping (hot or cold). I suspect it's the Burr-Brown DAC that is the magic, and guess what ... Burr-Brown is coming out with a new 24 bit chip. Anyway, an oldie but a goodie!

I originally bought a Marantz 67SE because of all great reviews. So much for listening to other reviews. I then tested a Cal Labs DX-2 and was equally uninpressed. Then listened to the Parasound. Great dynamics, detailed and yet none of the harshness that I got from the Marantz. I've had the Parasound for over a year with no skipping and I am amazed at the quality of the sound. A friend has a Rega Planet and I borrowed it for a few days just to compare. Very similar sounding units although though the parasound had a better high end. Of the two, I would pick the parasound any day of the week. For the money, it can't be beat...

I am trying to figure out what the heck all you guys problem is with disc's skipping?!? I have had my 1000 for about 6 months and have had
not one problem! I have lots of discs and have not had one lick of
trouble! (and some of them are scrached pretty bad!) What else can you
say about Parasound, it IS the best buy for the money! Sure the 2000
sounds better but we are talking about $3500.00 for it and the 2000dac to
match!!!!!! DUH! I would hope it is better! I would hate to have spent the
$3500.00 only to find that they make one for $500.00 that sounds better!
Please compare apples with apples gentlemen! That is like saying I bought
a Geo Metro, it gets great mileage but a Rolls Royce rides better! Really?
HELLO MCFLY! I give mine top honors! 5
a

Sorry guys. This hunk of junk doesn't work straight out of the box. I just brought mine home, connected it, and it won't recognize ANY CD (0 for 20). I'll leave the power on for a day or two to see if becomes "thermally stabilized" (i.e., it will start working). But come on, the quality assurance at Parasound must be pretty poor if they're willing to ship equipment that doesn't yield a sound on first connection. Shame on you Parasound! I would give this zero stars if that were an option.

I recently got this cd player and so far, I am impressed. It has a very detailed, likeable sound that I enjoy. I have encountered no skipping problems, and I didn't even have to leave it on for a night as recommended by some of the other reviewers. The build quality is good, and by far, the most noteable quality of this cd-player is the detail. I am surprised that a budget-player like this can reproduce so many subtle details, especially on classical music. The one small flaw I have found with the cd-player is that it sounds a little bright. This could be because it is paired up with my Paradigm M9's (which have titanium tweeters - these tend to get a little strident), or perhaps because I haven't given it enough burn-in time (6hrs. so far) but other than the brightness, I can't name any other flaws. Highly recommended.

I would like to comment more thoroughly on this player's strong suits but unfortunately after obtaining one long distance (no local dealer) it was dead out of the box (wouldn't read discs). The replacement unit was even deader (tray wouldn't open). Parasound customer support was abysmal, both in the length of time it took to obtain the replacement (4 weeks) and their total unconcern with rectifying the second problem unit on an expedited basis (wouldn't you go out of your way to keep your customers happy)?
I have decided that given the company's poor level of quality control and nonresponsiveness I will spend my money elsewhere, and encourage any other potential buyers to do likewise.

I purchased this cd player to go with my 1000A amp it preformed good. Sound was all there and clear but for $450 I found a Jolida vacum-tube that was righer and fuller. Reading all the other reviews I can agree that the bun time was very worth it.