Improve the sound of my CD Player?

Hey Phil,

I had a similar situation with my system. I was using my Pioneer Elite DVC-36 for both DVD and CD playback and I felt I was missing something. I posted the same question as you and got some very helpful tips. The one that stands out the most, for your case, is you mention running a digital cable out of your CDP and letting your Lex do the D to A. I was doing the same thing but I went and bought a CD only player (Metronome CD2V Signature). I hook it up to my Krell HTS-1 and I heard a difference but I was not satisfied, especially for the money I'd spent on the CDP. Then it was suggested to me to run analog cables from the CDP to the pro and low and behold, it sounded much better. My CDP up samples to 24/192 and the dac in the Krell does 24/96. I know, I'm processing the sound twice and that is an issue I will address when I upgrade to the Krell Showcase. In spite of the double processing, it sounds better then letting the Krell handle the D to A it self. Just a suggestion I got a while back that I thought you might find helpful. Good luck and happy holidays......John

Sorry - yes it is a newer version of the TDS unit I had. it will definitely make a huge sound difference in your system than the Taddeo. You may like it - I thought it did too much messing with the frequency curve for my taste. It use to sell for 199 and 350 I believe in another double version. For 49 it may appeal to you if you can send it back if it doesn't. The taddeo is a lot more tame.

Ljgj--Acoustic Research,,,not Audio Research, but thanks--and I think I am confused--I figured TDS and Taddeo were the same company or process, but you distinguish between the two. So it was the Acoustic Research TDS unit at Audio Advisor that I was asking you about and if I am getting this right (I hope!) you are saying TDS and Taddeo are not the same thing, and Taddeo is good (basically) and TDS is a mixed bag. Thanks for the clarification and saving me a mistaken purchase!

I went to the Audio Advisor site and did not see any device by Audio Research of a similar nature. If you are referring to the TDS unit that changes the harmonics and comes in two versions - I am familiar with the TDS Audiophile version. I owned one. It does give you a definite night and day difference in sound but not all for the better in my opinion. It also introduces noise into the system by boosting various frequency levels to bring forward a brighter and more forward sound that I am sure some people may like. I did not.

I went to the Audio Advisor site and did not see any device by Audio Research of a similar nature. If you are referring to the TDS unit that changes the harmonics and comes in two versions - I am familiar with the TDS Audiophile version. I owned one. It does give you a definite night and day difference in sound but not all for the better in my opinion. It also introduces noise into the system by boosting various frequency levels to bring forward a brighter and more forward sound that I am sure some people may like. I did not.

Ljgj...thanks for your answer...one more question.. do you know what the difference is between the $99 taddeo on their web page and the $49 Acoustic Research "TDS" device for sale at audio advisor?

I do use one and I sometimes felt like it wasn't adding a night and day difference until I took it out then I would say something is not as good as when it was in. It does a smoother job IMO than the triphazers I tried. Of course I only used the 4.0 model on that.

Ljgj--have you used the Taddeo unit you mentioned?? I've been tempted to get one, but wonder if it really does anything. Thanks

here are some CDP tweaks that are very worthwhile...

Upgrade AC cord:
(& not all cords sound alike - I'm using a "relatively inexpensive" JPS Digital AC at the moment, but have tried many others - system synergy & your sonic preferences deterimine the best choice).

Coupling, Isolation & Shelving:
Coupling--
I have my CDP up on Nordost Pulsar Points (in titanium option - didn't try the cheaper aluminum's) but I have also tried many others such as carbon fiber Black Diamond #3's & #4's, brass Audio Points & pucks, ceramic DH Labs, & titanium Orchard Bay cones with brass pucks. Every cone has a different sonic signature & again, system synergy & your sonic preferences deterimine the best choice. Varying the spacing between cones changes tonality - further apart = brighter / more detailed, & closer together = warmer / less detailed.
Shelving--
Presently the cones/pucks sit atop a Zoethecus Z-Slab shelf, which is my dead-mass for absorbing the microvibrations coupled into it via the cones. Black Diamond shelves also work very well but have a slightly different sonic signature. Again, system synergy & your sonic preferences deterimine the best choice of shelf.
Isolation--
In order to isolate the dead-mass shelf from the rack's vibrations, I have the self siting atop a set of Vibrapods (model #'s chosen for the total weight of the "stack").

Interconnects: some people tune their rigs by changing interconnects - even the choice of digital cable has been reported to have profound effects, in addition to the analog cables. I chose my cables for neutrality & do my tuning as-above, but others chose to do it via their cabling as well.

Try the Taddeo Antidote II for $99. Go to their site for more info. It corrects in the analog stage after the DAC.

A Monarchy DIP jitter reducer improved the sound of my CD67, which is driving a monarchy DAC. I think that the CD67 digital out is NOT good quality, and the CD67 is inherently a high jitter player. However check if the Lexicon does data reclocking, since this will render a DIP less effective.
For $100 used the DIP improved clarity and imaging substantially.
On the positive side the CD67 build quality is fantastic. I've had mine 6 years and it has not skipped once. I'm loath to swap it for a "better" transport that might not be so reliable.