I ain't deaf yet: I hear differences, prefer LP to CD, prefer R2R tape to LP; prefer Tube to SS.
Within the last 2 years: Cooped up with Covid; Inherited Some Money and 4,000 lps; SS back to Tubes; Buying LP's again; Wife retired, listening together; Selling LP's on eBay
I re-visited my: Main; Office; Garage/Shop systems . Done! Hah.
While my TT was temporarily down, I re-discovered my best/favorite CD's and SACD's. The opposite of re-discovering LP's after years of CD's.
I researched, asked for help here, decided to go for an OPPO 105 Blu-Ray player.
It's superior processors, ...; it has 'Pure Audio' mode (all video functions are 'out', including the display). It also has optional volume settings: fixed, preamp or amp changes the volume; OR, it has remote volume itself. My Onkyo did that, but with two sets of outputs: fixed jacks and variable jacks, not a menu choice.
New interconnect cables direct to Integrated Amp.
.................................................
Was it worth it? Hear Differences? Differences, if heard, matter?
I'm content to know I tried for 'better' CD, again, but in the end: not really worth it.
SACD/CD: I hear differences in SACD/CD versions, always have, with any player. But the difference I hear is in the quiet passages, extremely low noise, I came to feel an unnaturally quiet background. I stopped buying them.
For me: It's the content: the musicians, songwriting, talents, great recording engineers that are worth listening to, those discs sound great on a $35. player from Walmart! Less 'great' content (most), quite enjoyable: good, better, best player isn't going to make the experience any better IMO.
............................................
Helping several wealthy clients select equipment years back, I realized, aside from performance, you have to LIKE/LOVE a piece of equipment EVERY time you turn it on. That difference is repeatedly felt before the music begins, continues while listening, beefs up when turning the beauty off.
.....................................
What I have had/compared over the years:
1st: Massive Onkyo with dual burr brown processors, single play, substantial build & spinner
It's drawer eventually became problematic, fixed, problematic, annoyed.
2nd: Sony 5 disc Carosel, slim, stackable, retrieved from neice's garage sale (she lost the remote)
Compared the Onkyo with the Sony Carousel, myself and my friends. Sony 'as good'. Gave the huge Onkyo away.
3rd: Oppo Blu-Ray player, highly regarded for music: not obviously better than the Carousel, gave it to my friend, he uses it for transport only.
4th: Sony Blu-Ray player in 'all Sony' small home theater. Same.
5th HP Slimtop Computer's Drive to Carver SS, now Luxman Tubes to both B&W and now Wharfedale Bookcase/Sub combo. Perfect Imaging Triangle centered on Monitor/Keyboard, awesome.
It's the Beauty of the Machine and the Content!
For me, remembering a great deal on a piece every time I turn it on is part of it.
Within the last 2 years: Cooped up with Covid; Inherited Some Money and 4,000 lps; SS back to Tubes; Buying LP's again; Wife retired, listening together; Selling LP's on eBay
I re-visited my: Main; Office; Garage/Shop systems . Done! Hah.
While my TT was temporarily down, I re-discovered my best/favorite CD's and SACD's. The opposite of re-discovering LP's after years of CD's.
I researched, asked for help here, decided to go for an OPPO 105 Blu-Ray player.
It's superior processors, ...; it has 'Pure Audio' mode (all video functions are 'out', including the display). It also has optional volume settings: fixed, preamp or amp changes the volume; OR, it has remote volume itself. My Onkyo did that, but with two sets of outputs: fixed jacks and variable jacks, not a menu choice.
New interconnect cables direct to Integrated Amp.
.................................................
Was it worth it? Hear Differences? Differences, if heard, matter?
I'm content to know I tried for 'better' CD, again, but in the end: not really worth it.
SACD/CD: I hear differences in SACD/CD versions, always have, with any player. But the difference I hear is in the quiet passages, extremely low noise, I came to feel an unnaturally quiet background. I stopped buying them.
For me: It's the content: the musicians, songwriting, talents, great recording engineers that are worth listening to, those discs sound great on a $35. player from Walmart! Less 'great' content (most), quite enjoyable: good, better, best player isn't going to make the experience any better IMO.
............................................
Helping several wealthy clients select equipment years back, I realized, aside from performance, you have to LIKE/LOVE a piece of equipment EVERY time you turn it on. That difference is repeatedly felt before the music begins, continues while listening, beefs up when turning the beauty off.
.....................................
What I have had/compared over the years:
1st: Massive Onkyo with dual burr brown processors, single play, substantial build & spinner
It's drawer eventually became problematic, fixed, problematic, annoyed.
2nd: Sony 5 disc Carosel, slim, stackable, retrieved from neice's garage sale (she lost the remote)
Compared the Onkyo with the Sony Carousel, myself and my friends. Sony 'as good'. Gave the huge Onkyo away.
3rd: Oppo Blu-Ray player, highly regarded for music: not obviously better than the Carousel, gave it to my friend, he uses it for transport only.
4th: Sony Blu-Ray player in 'all Sony' small home theater. Same.
5th HP Slimtop Computer's Drive to Carver SS, now Luxman Tubes to both B&W and now Wharfedale Bookcase/Sub combo. Perfect Imaging Triangle centered on Monitor/Keyboard, awesome.
It's the Beauty of the Machine and the Content!
For me, remembering a great deal on a piece every time I turn it on is part of it.