CD player connected directly to Amplifier?

For a period of time I employed my Shanling CD player's variable volume direct to my amplifiers. The sound was very nice and with less interconnects and no preamp circuit seemed to increase the clarity of the signal. The down side is you cannot use any other sources such as a turntable or possibly a music server. If the CDP is you sole music source it can be very good system configuration.

Rick

I'm expecting my new MCD500 any day now, one of the biggest reasons I went with this particular player is its ability to drive my amp directly.

I had the opportunity to try out an MCD201 driving my amp directly for 4 days....after far too many hours of listening in such a short period I concluded that even the best pre was worth avoiding.

Rick.

I am using the Wadia 581se i this is my fourth Wadia and since going direct i can't imagine adding additional signal altering components. Unlike many other digital sources you can add other components to the Wadia's inputs including using the DAC for a component like their 170 Ipod transport.

It depends upon whether the volume control on the CD player is analog or digital. Digital volume controls throw away bits (i.e., reduce processing power) with full resolution existing only as you increase the volume past a certain point. Analog volume controls do not have this problem, but they can they have other problems if the manufacturer is trying to hold down costs or doesn't know what it's doing. Generally speaking, volume controls on CD players are digital, and generally speaking, analog volume controls are better.