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Better CD Sound: The Search

Went Big into Vinyl last 2 years, then re-discovered my many CD’s, mixing it up plenty now.

I continue to try and find a CD Player with better sound than my existing cheapo Sony Changer that surprisingly keeps on keeping on.

I am hoping recent upgrades to the system will more readily reveal differences:

99.9999 copper speaker wires and interconnects, locking rca connectors, mx110z tube tuner/preamp overhaul by Audio Classics; cayin a88t bias by VAS; 16 ohm L-Pads replacing 8 ohm pots; and finally a I bought a sound meter to balance/refine the speaker’s L-Pads (it ain’t easy) for the best sound ever.
.....................................

CD Quest So Far:

I want dual processors, go used to keep cost down, even consider older vintage.

1. my Onkyo Grand Integra (DX-7500 I think), fixed the damn drawer opening problem several times.

2. This cheapo Sony Changer given to me, eh, use if for parties, why not.
surprisingly sounded as good as the Onkyo to me and friends, gave the annoying Onkyo away.

3. tried used Oppo 83 Video Player for it’s audio

Laser was weak, ’no disc’, found it is a common problem with heavily used lasers. Back it went

4. lightly used Oppo 105. Everything worked, but didn’t sound better than the Sony. Oppo is big, single, expensive, not sellers fault, so I sold it myself rather than return it, lost $205. on that attempt.

5. ’new original stock’ KLH (made by?). played a few discs, then the discs started mis-tracking on discs I know are ok.

found small black bits clinging to the surface in the area of the problems (cds play from the inside out, just guess how far out). Turned out, the belt(s) were dried out, thus when put into motion after years of storage (where?), they shed bits of rubber. Back it went, full refund including return shipping. never compared it to the Sony’s sound

6. Resolved: if vintage, make sure belts are available, get a low price, open it up when it arrives, watch it move ... use, replace belts, return as last choice.

7. Just Bought Two, in transit, One Single; One 6 Disc Changer. (both with oem remotes and power cords, most for sale are missing).

a. Denon DVD-2910 Single Player (big dent on the top. $52. del’d, eBay) (crutchfield keeps old info on their site)
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-6TIPMQKBMUZ/p_033DV2910B/Denon-DVD-2910-Black.html

b. Onkyo Integra CDC-3.4 six disc changer (open box/demo) ($51. delivered) (bserplus.com)
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_164CDC34/Integra-CDC-3-4.html

c. a bag of belts. because I will be keeping something, and I have other old stuff with belts
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334135204014

d. spare rare OEM remote for Integra 3.4, eBay

Keeping My Ears Crossed!

elliottbnewcombjr
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
What’s important to me is really two things.

1) Sound quality is paramount. I want to have as much realism as possible in my home system.

2) Finding new artists I enjoy on an ongoing basis. 
I may need both streaming and CD spinning 😊.  We will see based on my system.  
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,438 posts
 
@charles1dad

As you may remember, I did own the PWT before. I thought it had a very easeful sound that was supremely enjoyable. I bet the new transports, getting the rave reviews, offer improved resolution and such. However, I wonder if they offer that same natural fluidity? Perhaps. I don’t know.

I wanted to buy a Jay’s, but for my comparison purposes I wanted to stay under a certain budget used.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
elliottbnewcombjr
Better CD Sound: The Search


For starters get a good transport and good Discrete R2R dac, for the best CD (pcm) redbook conversion replay 16/44 or 24/96, as it’s "bit perfect". Delta Sigma based dac’s can only give a facsimile of PCM.

Then purchase CD’s that have not been compressed (usually 1st issue), search here for those.
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list/year?artist=Traveling+Wilburys
Most later re-issues have been compressed.
Except some, but they command big prices $80 ebay used as this 2019 uncompressed Japanese one at the bottom.
https://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list/year?artist=elton+john&album=Madman+Across+The+Water


Cheers George
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,235 posts
 
@grannyring, 

"However, I wonder if they offer that same natural fluidity? Perhaps. I don’t know."  

Bill that's exactly why I've held on to my early generation PWT so contently the past 9 years,  natural and realistic music presentation. I've been led to believe that the new  Pro-Ject takes this coveted quality a step or two further.  We shall see.
Charles 
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Thanks erj1953.

If this PS player is well implemented I would guess it's going to sound really good.
When it is delivered, I'd love to hear how you find it.
Pleeeezzze do post!

And thanks for the nudge @azwill.   I wonder what the price is over here in Blighty.  It's usually £ for $ on US equipment.

It's just a pity that SACD has never really caught on.  There are less and less new releases.  The catalogue has been way too small,
But I had to buy a player when Dylan's 60s 70s and early 80s output was re-released on SACD after Sony bought the Columbia back catalogue. A must buy.
I find many of those discs are as good as my pristine original edition LPs.  Or better.  And waaayyy better than the badly transferred CDs.  The Sony Gold Blonde on Blonde CD nobly excepted.  Hard to get now.l



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