[cscott23]

This is kind of a Duncan coined term. (I think that he used the D-211 and the D-141 as examples of this.) It is essentially a player that can properly convey the energy (not necessarily brightness or sound stage) of hard rock music.

What do you think is the most aggro PCDP ever made?

By contrast, the most musical or relaxed player would not fall into the aggressive genre.

 

[EyeAmEye]

May not be a big favorite around here, but an older Aiwa works nicely. I personally have the XP-55, and have heard the XP-33, and I personally use the term "impact", which they both do well. Listening to mostly hard rock/metal, these PCDP's definately convey the proper energy and impact. If you're a Grado recruit, which so far I'm not, even better from what I read here.

I'm going to make it my personal mission to preach Aiwa to the masses until I convert atleast one Sony heathen

 

[Pappucho]

Hey, Aiwa and EyeamEye kind of rhyme....

I am going to play some rock tracks on some of my players and look to see which one could be termed aggressive. To understand this correctly, I am assuming that it can also be called authoritative. Where the amp grabs hold of those drivers tells them what to do. Controlling them in a very immediate fashion. Not forward sounding, but dynamic. I have a feeling this is what I've sampled in my D-J50, but I will have to get back after some listening sessions.

 

[EyeAmEye]

Ah, I could throw in an older Kenwood as a possibility. I have a Kenwood DCP-55, that has a very powerful, lively sound. It's not very portable, unfortunately. Perhaps an older, more portable Kenwood would suit. Pappucho, how is the Kenwood 721? Is it newer, or an older model?

Having a few older Panasonics, the SL-S100, S330 and S440, I can say that, they too, have a very powerful, impactful sound. Maybe they would suit your tastes, as well. I would recommend the Aiwa's over Panasonic, however, because they are a pinch less impactful and energetic, but are leaps and bounds over the Panasonic's in terms of detail. And contrary to what I've read a few times on this board, older Aiwa's DO have a true line-out, and the XP-55, lineout to a Supermini, sounds excellent.

 

[Silver]

My D-777

 

[Duncan]

Pappucho...

That is a good explanation for my terminology... yes

Silver... The D777 is too smooth, too laid back imo to qualify for this...

...Everybody knows my opinion... the D211, it grabs hold, and just doesn't let go... the volume doesn't crap out, even with things going looney

...I'm interested in this thread though... if there is a player that clearly trounces the D211... I might myself be interested

 

[plainsong]

Duncan do they sell the Grundig Squixx in the UK? It could be worth a listen. I don't have any of those other pcdp's to compare it to, but it brings out the emotion in my hard rock tracks really well. Could be worth a listen if there's one to be found.

 

[marios_mar]

I have to agree with my fellow EyeamEye. I've always owened sony walkmen and discmen. A few months ago I tested a new SONY model (about $110) and my XP-v511 ($100 2 years ago) aiwa.
For classical music I found the Sony warmer and with more definition. Iwould prefer it for all kinds of music . It was good.
Then again the AIWA was what I would exactly describe as aggressive. The distorded hard rockin guitars were pretty edgy and the drums too.
But the AIWA is not as good for other genres.
Get a used one for dirt cheap at ebay is my recomandation and buy your self a sony discman too if you like softer music styles too.
Anyway if you are able to try our some PCDPs first yourself to form your own opinion too.

 

[plainsong]

As I remember, the absolute best pcdp I ever heard was my husband's old Sony. I'm not sure which model it was, but it was one of the huge old ones that ate batteries almost daily. It could even drive 600ohm beyers and give an oh-so-wonderful sound. Just imagine if I knew what a headphone amp was back then...

I'm listening to some classical ATM with the Grundig, and I only have the memory of the Sony to compare it to, but from memory I'd have to give it to the Sony. The Grundig is better than our Sony 110AV stereo system (isn't that sad, that thing cost a fortune - given to use a wedding gift), but at least from memory - doesn't beat the old Sony pcdp.

Unlike the old Beyers, I didn't destroy that pcdp.

It was just old age... it just plain stopped working, may it rest in peices.

 

[EyeAmEye]

marios,
Another Aiwa fan surfaces, let's see when no.3 crawls out from under a rock...

You're suggestion really makes the most sense. Older model PCDP's of all kinds, save the Sony's that Duncan has helped make famous (or infamous

), can be won for sometimes just a few dollars on ebay. The XP-55 I rave about I won for $5, there's just no beating a deal like that.
cscott,
if you've got as little as $50 to spend, browse ebay for Aiwa, Panasonic, and the like, even Sony. The non-recommended older Sony's are still better than the tops of today. The past few months I've spent $5 here and there for a bundle of PCDP's. Most of them are junk, but I've discovered a few that are really hidden treasures, like the XP-55, and the overall cost of all of them is less than buying a recent, brand new model. Eventually, and for a relatively small amount of cash, you'll find what's right for you. Good luck

 

[marios_mar]

careful,
i am not saying that AIWAS can drive sennheiser 580s!!! I am just saying the sound is indeed aggressive. I also have to say that i am not really much of an AIWA fan. I have a small midi hifi system which in the beginning sounded good for the money but i've worn it out completely in 4 years. Aiwas often break but so do Sonys. But the AIWA CDP is realay good for hard rock. And for less than 15-20 dollars incl. shipping get one from ebay immediately. Then buy an old SONY for the softer stuff.

 

[amadeus-mozart]

Quote:

Originally posted by marios_mar I have to agree with my fellow EyeamEye. I've always owened sony walkmen and discmen. A few months ago I tested a new SONY model (about $110) and my XP-v511 ($100 2 years ago) aiwa. For classical music I found the Sony warmer and with more definition. Iwould prefer it for all kinds of music . It was good. Then again the AIWA was what I would exactly describe as aggressive. The distorded hard rockin guitars were pretty edgy and the drums too. But the AIWA is not as good for other genres. Get a used one for dirt cheap at ebay is my recomandation and buy your self a sony discman too if you like softer music styles too. Anyway if you are able to try our some PCDPs first yourself to form your own opinion too.

I just received an Aiwa XP-33 from eBay. I was very surprised at the impact its sound had. The sound was much more exciting than either my D25s or D-321. Its sound may be less refined than Sony's for classical but it makes a tremendous first impression. I haven't heard the D-211 as yet

Duncan- this might be one to listen to!!

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by amadeus-mozart Duncan- this might be one to listen to!!

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

lol... I can't listen to any more PCDPs... lol, I need to stop... its an illness, and I need a cure, not another fix

<< Goes to scour ebay >>

 

[Jonny Quest]

You guys need to stop scouring ebay so I can actually win one of these classic PCDP's and see what all the fuss is about.

 

[PeterR]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Nooooooooooooooooooooo! lol... I can't listen to any more PCDPs... lol, I need to stop... its an illness, and I need a cure, not another fix << Goes to scour ebay >>

While you're at it, look for a D-22, I have a feeling you might like it. Just got one - somewhat on the brighter side of neutral, but loads of impact...