What Sonically is the Difference between a $1,500 CD Player and a $10K-$25K One?
I realize opinions may vary, but if I could give an example of two CD players perhaps someone can give me their thoughts on the cost benefits of either one? What would be the difference in your opinion between say a Cambridge Audio Azur 851C CD Player and the Gryphon Scorpio S CD Player? And are the difference truly audible or more technical and rather indiscernible through human hearing?
In general, what makes a CD player (other than build components) 10x more costly than a decently built one other than features?
Price does not indicate the design and parts quality. I can make a great looking chassis and put crap inside and sell it for much more that a cardboard box chassis. But I can also make a product and put it into a cardboard box that would also sound great.
When I look at "expensive" components, I rarely see high quality parts such as custom transformers, capacitors and resistors. I see mostly aluminum chassis milled from thick aluminum. Looks great but sounds better than the less expensive stuff.
When I modify something I start with the power supply and filter the AC first, then improve the capacitors and resistors. Plus point-to-point wiring. When you find something like that, you will hear the differences within 30 seconds.
Im glad that you asked this question I just purchased a mcintosh mct 450 and was so excited to hear such an improvement in sound with this sacd transport.My system is nothing too fancy but I believe it to be very decent .after hours of listening I was satisfied but not blown away.If I could afford something more I believe I would have spent up to 15k just chasing down that perfect sound .Each person is different, Ive become satisfied with my purchases as I feel its the best possible audio for my small budget .Thanks to all who post .
huge improvement in my system too, though, yes, there are some expensive units I do not like and some less expensive ones I like very much...though unfortunately all the ones I like best are more expensive...
I don’t really have any mega bucket equipment, I simply can’t afford it. But like anything in life it’s in the details and this is what you’re paying for. Generally.
For me it’s akin to looking up at the night sky on a full moon night. An inexpensive component ( notice I didn’t say cheap ) will show you the moon in all its clarity for sure, with a sprinkling stars, it beautiful, but go to a place like Colorado and look up at that same night sky and it’s akin to looking with a high-end piece of equipment - you see the moon and it’s clarity, but NOW you can also see 10,000 more stars and the edge of the Milky Way and its awe inspiring- it’s, it’s those types of details, whether it’s timber, tone, soundstage, etc. - that makes the difference, but, and here is the key question, how many more stars do you see with that more expensive piece, and is it worth it, only you can tell.
I went from a tube modwright Sony Es 5400 to a Mbl c31. Better soundstage, depth, detail, imaging and transparency. There is a difference if you pick the right 10k player or up!
You really have to consider all major stages of the operation of the player, this is why you often get better performance out of separates rather than throwing all you hope into one integrated CD player.
The transport The digital conversion The output stage (Even possibly input stage if it functions as a DAC)
Each stage should be carefully considered by any audiophile and maximized to taste. This is after all a game of preferences. But I do firmly believe that each piece is important starting from the very first watt and that nothing can be retrieved if it is lost further up the chain.
I think saying there is no sound difference is foolish. However, if your system is not resolving enough you won’t hear a difference. I just went from a Sony Modwright Es 5400 $3000 to an MBL c31 $9200 bucks. Mbl has better soundstage, detail, power micro dynamics. Clearly a difference. However, my system also has very well made components and speakers that are resolving enough.
I't's kind of like Dac's. Our club did a shootout of Dacs from several hundreds of dollars to thousands. If the engineering and implementation is solid, the differences may not be as significant as the dollars would indicate. My experience is that you need to spend a whole lot more on an analog system vs. a cd player for the sound to pull away. I have a hard time with pop's and clicks on analog. It drives me crazy. I have had 7 cd players over the years. The last three were Modwright models and my current one is a Marantz based player. Every one of those Modwright models has been a step up due to the tube power supply and output stage. The ultra expensive units would require an audition and a used purchase.
I have never been able to find the difference between a cheap CD player and a more expensive CD player. The most expensive CD player I have ever owned is a Pioneer CLD-97 though even that has some issues in that it doens't play blu-spec CDs very well (no older CD player does. they seem to only play well on blu-ray players). A good CD player will have good controls, heavy, and stable. From what several have told me, one of the best CD players ever made was Onkyo's DX-G10 CD player from 1988. That CD player was built like a tank using a heavy reinforced graphite-steel chassis that's heavier and more stable then most $20,000 CD players. It used reliable parts that allowed it to function well for years and played back flawlessly. Several people have told me they never listened to a better CD player then the DX-G10 (or C-2001 in Japan).
My deaf audiophile friends and I compared the Onkyo and Sony, surprisingly/shockingly the dinky Sony POC sounded as good. Got rid of the annoying Onkyo.
Now, system more revealing that ever, let's see if this old dog Oppo can beat the Sony POC.
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