Ancient CDP any good?

[Navyblue]

I have an ancient Sony CDP-XE200. For those unfamiliar with it, it is really old and only plays music CD and sports only an RCA line out. I could be wrong but it should be one of the first (if not so) of the "budget" CDP.

My speakers and headphones are modest and not the most revealing. To my ears compared with the Creative Sound Blaster Digital Music SX, it is more analogue and organic sounding, somewhat similar my Sony DAP (Sony sound signature?). The SX is more "digital" sounding but I can't put a finger to what's wrong with the sound. I think I prefer the sound of the CDP

I'd prefer to put my budget on headphone and/or headphone amp. But if the CDP is not cutting it for higher end headphone, I'd have to replace it somehow.

I wonder if a budget CDP or similarly priced DAC would make any significant difference? Also if DAC in newer udget CDP is better or worse? Though I am kind of sure that my old Sony beats the $100 DVD players out there.

 

[nikongod]

start with prejudice's:
headphone first, analog source second (if your into that,) amp third, digital source last.

it is my opinion that a truly high-end source is totally wasted on a less resolving amp and headphone. when you have a amp/headphone set that suits your requests for resolution better, then you should look at the source.

to add to that, if you get a high-end source now you wont appreciate it. it will be different from what you have, if you compare 2 high end CD players on your rig and listen hard enough they will be different.... the REAL question is whether the flaws with your present system outweigh the ones of your present CD player. i would wait until you have a headphone and amp capable of passing on more of the information from the better CD player. the change will be FAR more worthwhile if you wait.

its also worth note that the source you have now will probably show SIGNIFICANT gains with a better amp and headphone if your not happy with them at the moment.

 

[Lazarus Short]

I'm happily using a CDP in my "man cave" system which dates from September 1986. I like the ergonomics, and I think it sounds fine, I just won't say what brand it is. Sometimes old is OK.

Laz

 

[Navyblue]

I agree that I am not able to judge the quality of the source until I get a good headphone and amplifier. However I kind of need to know if I actually need a better source once I plunge all cash into the headphone and amplifier it will kind of be too late.

That's why my question on would an ancient budget CDP generally be a severe bottle neck to the sound quality.

CDP made in 1986 would be really high end and expensive back then,

I'm not sure how it would compare to a budget model I believe to be made in the early 90s. Though one can argue that the same technology would get cheaper over time. On the other hand, budget DVD player today can sound really crappy due to the use of mass produced cheap parts.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navyblue /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree that I am not able to judge the quality of the source until I get a good headphone and amplifier. However I kind of need to know if I actually need a better source once I plunge all cash into the headphone and amplifier it will kind of be too late. That's why my question on would an ancient budget CDP generally be a severe bottle neck to the sound quality.

You misunderstand the mysterious ways of upgraditis, my friend. Give your Sony a chance. If you buy a new source now, your wallet may be called upon for another new source after you buy new headphones and an amp. Or you might get the call to vinyl and end up not listening to your CDs that much. Unless your Sony breaks or you start hearing obvious source defects, keep it spinning.

The temptation to get new stuff to match other new stuff is strong. But you'll be better off using the new headphones and amp to search out the weaknesses (if any) in your Sony. That way, if you find yourself looking for quality X in a CD player, you can go looking for one with quality X. Otherwise, you might not know you really want quality X with your new setup and then have to go looking a second time. Or you might discover that your Sony is just fine and you don't need a new one after all.

 

[synaesthetic]

I will agree with the guy above me unless you're in my position, using a very hissy onboard audio chip because your sound card decided to kick the bucket. -_-

It's sad that Chaintech AV710s have all but disappeared...

 

[1UP]

If you enjoy your music with your Sony, why change it?

Yeah, just improve your headphones/headamp until you get the itch again.

 

[Navyblue]

Upgraditis is what I am trying to avoid. I have a set budget, I'd like to spend it and be done with it. I'd like to avoid upgrading component A this month and component B next, it's like trying to fill a black hole.

I prefer to make my spending predictable.

What I don't want is after I spent all the money I set aside, and then realise that my amp is too good for the source.

What is as bad is I set aside say $300 for a CDP or DAC at the expense of the amp, and then found out that the source is still good enough and I don't need a new one. Then I should have put all the money in the amp and get a better one.

And also if around $200 would get me a source better than my current one? Else there is no point and money would be better spent on the amp.

So back to the original question. Would the digital to analog conversion of the budget CDP 10 years ago stand against today's offering of budget CDP or DAC? Specifically my CDP vs let's say a $200 budget of CDP or DAC.

If CDP technology didn't improve in the past 10 years, I'd keep spinning it till it dies. And also how would a $200 sound card/DA options stack up to my CDP and Sound Blaster Digital Music SX.

 

[1UP]

Nobody can make generalisations that technical improvements correlate to better sound. Look at vinyl.

People are still using vinyl. People are still playing early-gen CDPs. People are still using amps and speakers designed over 20 years ago.

Don't know your CDP so can't say if a $200 unit will beat it. However, most certainly audiophile soundcards will piss all over your Soundblaster.

 

[rhyx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by synaesthetic /img/forum/go_quote.gif I will agree with the guy above me unless you're in my position, using a very hissy onboard audio chip because your sound card decided to kick the bucket. -_- It's sad that Chaintech AV710s have all but disappeared...

Wow, I just bought one on Newegg just the other day it seemed. Now they are gone.

I absolutely love it.

 

[tourmaline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1UP /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nobody can make generalisations that technical improvements correlate to better sound. Look at vinyl. People are still using vinyl. People are still playing early-gen CDPs. People are still using amps and speakers designed over 20 years ago. Don't know your CDP so can't say if a $200 unit will beat it. However, most certainly audiophile soundcards will piss all over your Soundblaster.

if the design is right, then the component can be timeless....even some high end manufacturers tried to best their former top end amps and failed. Some design are so good, you cannot improve on them...

If you get a good older cdp, that was at least in the top segment, you can bet on it that it still can compete with most of the cdplayers out there.

Remember the NOS dacs and cdplayers, they are timeless.....no oversampling....

 

[facelvega]

dac chips have improved their technical precision considerably in the last twenty years, but output stages, which are at least as important to the sound of the source, haven't changed so much. There are a few well-regarded DACs still in production with relatively ancient dac chips.

 

[Bones13]

My Sony CDP-102 from the mid '80s continues service in one of my home systems. No digital out, but really smooth analog sound. I don't think its as good as the newer, better DACs =/- output stages, but its been a workhorse for 30 years.

It started having troubles with the machine some years back, some strange noises and some skipping. After I had replaced it, before throwing it out, I decided to pop the hood. I found a CD which had jumped out of the transport mechanism inside the box, jamming the down-weight for the CD spinning. I removed the CD (or 2?) and the thing worked perfectly again.

 

[Budgie]

Keep the player. New Phones will make the biggest differance.