[AudioJunkie]

Hi

Would a used CD player ($100-150) sound better than an iPod?

Thanks

 

[THESANTINI]

the obvious answer is yes. here's why:: IPod's are mass marketed, they are effective mp3 players, but mp3 sound quality is usually limited. additional constraints are the stock earbuds which aren't that great or comfortable for that matter.

$150 can buy a very good cd player

 

[Hirsch]

The iPod tends to be underestimated. Using a lossless format (or even high-bitrate mp3), an iPod can sound very good out of a line-output (on the dock). It's possible that some CDP's in a low price range would sound better. It's also possible that many CDP's that sell for around $100-$150 used would sound worse.

 

[Jahn]

someone once found a crappy Coby player in a Target store that was supposed to be a giant killer. whatever happened to those PCDPs? some folks even modded it i recall...

 

[AudioJunkie]

Would you be able to recommend any cheap players that beat out the iPod?

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioJunkie Hi Would a used CD player ($100-150) sound better than an iPod?

Should you be happy with a vintage SONY that is more luggable than portable and has no anti-shoock - sure! A Sony D-250 / D-25 (S) can drive HD-600s without problem, add Xin's Xinfeed adaptor and you're set. What you will not have is a small, portable, convenient device, but a very good sounding one.

 

[AudioJunkie]

Are these easy to find. Would a something like a NAD 502 or Sony SCD-CE775 sound better than an iPod?

 

[mmmmcheese]

I think hes looking for a home cdp. I just got the Denon DCM-280 but, I won't get it until the end of the week. I'll give you some impressions then vs my H320. I am pretty sure that it will sound better.

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioJunkie Are these easy to find. Would a something like a NAD 502 or Sony SCD-CE775 sound better than an iPod?

The SCD-CE775 should sound better than an iPod, although I haven't compared them directly. The SCD-CE775 actually sounded very competitive with a Benchmark DAC-1 in a friend's speaker rig.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioJunkie Are these easy to find. Would a something like a NAD 502 or Sony SCD-CE775 sound better than an iPod?

Home CDPs are very likely to sound better than a portable device. Better power supply, no need for miniaturized / compromising components, better output stages... I'd say for the price of an iPod you can buy a good to nice stationary CDP (depending on your choice of iPod

), maybe even very nice if you buy used. What makes the iPod expensive is primarily the harddrive.

It is still a good source assuming you want a "one for all" solution that is also portable, especially if you use lossless files, equip (dare we say pimp) it with a line-out / use the dock with its line-out, maybe an RF- or IR-remote for convenience, and hook it all up to an amp that has a good amount of gain to make up for the lack in output. A stationary CDP of the same price will still be better.