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A CD/SACD player?

Jul 6, 2005 at 1:13 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16
morose-

morose-

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This may seem like an "out of the blue" question, but what is a good CD/SACD player to buy?

I currently run all of my music off of my computer. My impression is that in order to recieve the best sound I should use an amp... (and that requires a CD player). I of course have a cheap boombox type CD player, but what quality CD players are out there that are appropriate for headphones and amps and the whole lot. I currently have a Sennheiser HD650.

I am obviously new to this material, and I thank you for your patiance. Oh, and please don't use acronyms. I don't understand them yet.
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 1:14 AM Post #2 of 16
This may seem like an "out of the blue" question, but what is a good CD/SACD player to buy?

I currently run all of my music off of my computer. My impression is that in order to recieve the best sound I should use an amp... (and that requires a CD player). I of course have a cheap boombox type CD player, but what quality CD players are out there that are appropriate for headphones and amps and the whole lot. I currently have a Sennheiser HD650.

I'm looking at Onkyo recievers right now... but aren't those more for home theatre systems?

I am obviously new to this material, and I thank you for your patiance. Oh, and please don't use acronyms. I don't understand them yet.
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 1:19 AM Post #3 of 16
I'm not an expert at these type of stuff, but i can definitely tell you that the best sound is probably still the one coming out from a good hifi system.. i've recently bought the sony DNE820, and when i compare the sound coming out against my mini hifi (an really average hifi system i would say.. cost less than 300 USD), the music still came out alot better than the cd player... i guess when it comes to portables, sound quality/quality of parts are compromised for the smaller form factor... just my POV
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 1:48 AM Post #5 of 16
Quote:

My impression is that in order to recieve the best sound I should use an amp... (and that requires a CD player)


you don't have to have a CD player to use an amp, merely the appropriate cable to connect the line out of your sound card to the amplifier.
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 2:43 AM Post #6 of 16
redundant posting
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 2:54 AM Post #7 of 16
There is no advantage to SACD unless you plan to hook up a multichannel speaker system. If you don't have line out from your computer, I'd suggest getting a good sound card with line out and a nice headphone amp. That would be a lot more useful to you than another box duplicating the CD drive in your computer.

See ya
Steve
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 3:15 AM Post #8 of 16
morose, I moved your original thread to the correct forum......and then you posted another one, which I merged with this one. Please don't make me work too hard.....I'm getting on in years.
biggrin.gif
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 3:46 AM Post #10 of 16
How can I tell the difference? I've been doing everything I can to be able to discern a difference in a blind A/B comparison, and the only differences I hear are due to completely different mixes.

Have you done blind A/B comparisons? If so, what SACD did you use?

Thanks
Steve
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 7:55 AM Post #11 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot
Have you done blind A/B comparisons? If so, what SACD did you use?


I don't think blind A/B comparisons are needed to hear a difference, when it exist. Yes, they are some SACDs that sound identical to a regular CD, but there also others that blows the CD into the weeds. Like FIM's "The Gossamer Song" or Peter Malick Group/Norah Jones' "New York City".
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 5:36 PM Post #12 of 16
The *only* way to tell for sure is to do an A/B. A normal person's memory of sound lasts less than 15 seconds. If there is a time gap between the two samples, you're going to fall into the music and react based on how much you like the music, not how good it sounds. I'm not questioning your ability to listen carefully... all people are like this.

Also, unless you A/B, there's no way to tell whether the perceived improvement is due to the format or better mastering and mixing. Every example I've found of an SACD layer sounding different than a CD was due to remastering.

See ya
Steve
 
Jul 6, 2005 at 6:10 PM Post #13 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by morose-
This may seem like an "out of the blue" question, but what is a good CD/SACD player to buy?

I currently run all of my music off of my computer. My impression is that in order to recieve the best sound I should use an amp... (and that requires a CD player). I of course have a cheap boombox type CD player, but what quality CD players are out there that are appropriate for headphones and amps and the whole lot. I currently have a Sennheiser HD650.

I am obviously new to this material, and I thank you for your patiance. Oh, and please don't use acronyms. I don't understand them yet.


philips and denon make some nice players at various price points. sony has a few universal (SACD/DVD/CD/DVD-A) players out too. what is your price range? denon has some very nice players like the 2910 and 3910, but those start around $650+. i have the denon 2900 (now discontinued) that I like very much. for a while, the philips DVD963SA was a popular entry level SACD player. They may have a newer model that has replaced it.

as far as denon goes, if you can find it and can't afford a 2910, the DVD-2200 uses the same digital/analog converters as the 2910, but since the 2200 is now discontinued you should be able to get it for much cheaper than the 2910.
 
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