I've found this to be true for my Harman Kardon cd player also. I'm burning in a Marantz sa-7s1 super-audio player for a friend (I DO feel lucky!) and I can't discern a difference yet,but It's quite possible that something else in my system is not up to the resolution level required to make a determination here. |
Yep. Displays always off. Turon off the display on your touch as well. Big difference on how it handles power - less for it to do - just plays music. |
I found the same result and by accident too with my Meridian G08. |
Hi Phaelon
I had a Marantz CD-5003 CDP and am currently using a stock Oppo BDP-83. Whether I disabled the display and digital outputs on the Marantz or run the Oppo in Pure Audio mode I have not heard any differences in the music I was playing from my system. I kept switching back and forth and I still heard no difference. I do turn the display off when I'm listening so that the Oppo isn't working so hard and the fan won't kick in. I realize the gear I mention above isn't the most expensive or high-end but I still did not hear a difference with the displays or digital and video sections disabled.
Have other owners of Modwright Sony CDPs experienced the same thing? What did Modwright have to say about your findings? Could the improvement in sound you heard been a cause some other changes you made? |
Is this something inherent in the circuit topology? Is this something that could be avoided but it was easier to design the PCB with the display in-line with other circuits so they added, yet, another switch that is a sound killer to turn off the sound killing display? I mean come on. Its a display! It hardly uses any juice and if it was isolated like it should be then there would be no impact whatsoever. Sounds like cheap designs and the addition of a gimmick. Bet it cost $5 less per PCB and an additional $50 for the display-off feature. Sad. |
Turning off the display reduces RF. |
"What did Modwright have to say about your findings?"
I didn't discuss this with Modwright, I already feel dumb enough; no reason to reveal this to Dan.
"Could the improvement in sound you heard been a cause some other changes you made?"
Not a chance, and it's not just my imagination. I only realized I pushed the button when I investigated the startling transformation.
I do believe that whether or not one hears a difference depends greatly on the systems resolution. The display thing isn't anything new. I hope that this post will serve as a sort of general heads-up for all of us with evolving systems. If you're like me, your audio history is replete with trial and error. Perhaps as the resolution of our systems improve, it might be advisable to occasionally reopen the books on some of our past efforts that disappointed at the time. |
>>10-17-10: Tiggerfc
>>"Is this something inherent in the circuit topology? Is this something that could be avoided but it was easier to design the PCB with the display in-line with other circuits so they added, yet, another switch that is a sound killer to turn off the sound killing display?"
Tigger - I suppose most manufacturers don't believe there's any reason to change it because they don't believe it will make a difference in the sound.
FWIW - I don't believe it either. I've tried it on several of my players (Arcam Alpha 7, Alpha 8SE, Jolida JD100A, Rega Apollo) and have never heard a difference. Not saying that's the case for everyone, just saying I have no reason to believe it's so. |
Like some of you when I first used my remote to turn the display on and off I thought I heard no difference. So one day I had turned the display off and left it off for several days. I had forgot it really. Then when I turned it back on to see the time remaining it sounded different. Couldn't put my finger on it right away. A few min later I turned the display back off and there is was. A blacker background. Not by a lot mind you. I'll take any slight improvement in my system especially when it cost is the time to push a button.
Me personally I have always liked to see the time remaining of the song playing but I'll take a slight improvement and just press a button when I do want to see the time remaining. |
For crying out loud, turn the power off instead, not just the display. Not just the background but everything else is quieter and blacker. |
The 'display' at a live event usually makes the experance more enjoyable. I have yet to see track numbers and remaining time at a concert, although I wouldn't be supprised if it was a Bijork concert!!! |
hmmm, me thinks a blind test might not yield conclusive results.
Skeptic :) |
I have a highly modded Arcam alpha 5 NOS, and Philips 963sa with a dimming display. These are directly connected to tube mono amps and dynaudios. I believe that I can hear the difference in strategically changed resistors. There is only two caps in the signal path and changes here are easily discernible. I can't detect the display on/off difference in the Arcam, nor the video off circuit switch on the Philips! So much for my golden ears, but I still use the features and enjoy the music!!! |
Yes, this is a solid recommendation for most units. It's not a new tweak but is very helpful. The players here have displays with adjustable brightness including being turned off, but because they have separate dedicated power supplies for the displays, turning off the displays is not necessary for best sound. |
all displays radiate noise , some more than others, this is what you are hearing, turning off the display lowers the noise floor, and its measurable !!! |
>>10-21-10: Chrissain
all displays radiate noise , some more than others, this is what you are hearing, turning off the display lowers the noise floor, and its measurable !!! <<
Data?
Reference?
Link?
Something?
Anything? |
I remember a article in stereophile years ago on jitter, and john atkinson was able to measure more jitter with the display on than off. I have also have had conversations with John Stronzer from BEl Canto where he mentioned that all displays radiate noise, and it is measurable, he actually puts some sort of filter between his displays and the boards, just to reduce noise. interestingly blue leds and displays generate the most noise. |
