Opinions: Why does CD playback suffer on most universal & dvd players?

[daltonlanny]

I was just wanting some opinions on this:
Compared to most dedicated CD only players, the Redbook CD performance on most stock universal dvd players and even on most normal dvd players suffers sonically, or is even very sub par.
In your opinion, why is this so?
Could it possible be one or more of the following reasons:
1. Maybe a different laser, or different focusing of the laser that is harder to achieve for optimum CD plaback?
2. The video, multi-channel, and/or SACD and DVD Audio circuitry interfering with the CD playback circuits, even when they are not active?
3. The DAC's in the players having to perform multiple tasks and the CD playback sonics possibly suffering as a result?
4. Possibly cheaper grade parts for the CD section to save costs?
5. A combination of the above?
6. Some other reason ?
Please share your opinions on this.
Thanks!

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

From a logical point of view, I don't see a problem with the transport or DACs.
I'd point my finger at how well they're implemented, i.e.
- Power supplies (these as SOOOO important)
- Clocks
- Mechnical isolation
- Screening and board layout design
- Quality of analogue output sections

 

[randerson3024]

I have only really auditioned two, both made by Linn, and Redbook CD sounded great, even HDCD's without the filter.

 

[daltonlanny]

Some of the expensive ones are great on regular CD's, but the majority of universal and dvd players do have compromised ultimate CD performance, compared to stand alone CD players

 

[Redo]

Between my Sony CE595 and Sony 90v, the analog stage on the cheaper CE595 is far superior (both on CD's and SACD). I believe even the CE595 as a transport is superior, but it's very hard for me to test the two back and forth as a transport.

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Between my Sony CE595 and Sony 90v, the analog stage on the cheaper CE595 is far superior (both on CD's and SACD). I believe even the CE595 as a transport is superior, but it's very hard for me to test the two back and forth as a transport.

If you have coax outputs you can just slot a switchbox into the loop, I do this with no ill efects, then you can A/B quickly with the two digital feeds into the same DAC. You can even get switch boxes for optical feeds...

 

[Redo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you have coax outputs you can just slot a switchbox into the loop, I do this with no ill efects, then you can A/B quickly with the two digital feeds into the same DAC. You can even get switch boxes for optical feeds...

Yes, I should try this. Well, my CE595 only has an optical output, but I could get an optical switchbox. Or I could run them via my receiver and use the digital md/tape output as the control. I would need to get two identical CD's and sync them fairly well though, but it is possible!

Sounds like a good weekend project for me.

 

[hawk]

The CD playback on my OPPO DV970HD player's better than the cd playback was on my 8 year old Sony dvd player.

 

[bordins]

Get decent (perhaps $$$) interconnect cables and you will find a modern universal player sound very good.

I've tried my Oritek X-2 cables on my Phillips universal player and find the sonics is more than acceptable for non-serious listening.

 

[infinitesymphony]

It seems like a false generalization to say that universal players almost always sound worse than CD players. I think the one factor that makes the statement true or at least believable in many cases is budget. If you have $250 to spend on either a CD player or a universal player, chances are good that you can find a CD-only player with better components.

Once the budget is increased past what's considered low-end by audiophile standards, all players become viable options (IMO).

 

[daltonlanny]

On every universal dvd player or regular dvd player that I have listened to under $2,000.00, and there have been many, the playback sonics of regular CD's has been inferior to a good dedicated single-disc CD player...

 

[aphex944]

I've found stock DVD players to have pretty bad redbook quality. However, after modification, I've found them to be just as good and in many cases better than $1000+ CDPs. Some modified Pioneer players, specifically the DV-563A and DV-578A, are the best sources I've heard to date.

It's really just a matter of upgrading the opamps, output caps, and power supply bypass caps. Many of the universal players have the same DACs that the very expensive CDP standalone units use. I've really yet to find an ultra high end CDP that really WOWs me in comparison to the modified units I've listened to.