playstation1 as a high end cd player!

Oct 19, 2005 at 7:43 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 46

irchel

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I read in several forums that a playstation1 (but ONLY the very first ones) is a very decent cd player, beating even players up to 1000 dollars in terms of sound quality (well, not in optical terms
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). PsONE and PS2 are extremely crappy though.

Anyone heard similar things about this device? I mean it would be verrry nice if that is true ( who needs a 0404 if the PS1 sounds seven times better than a REvo?)

In addition, I soon receive my revo 5.1, maybe a 0404 too, then I will test this thing under RMAA (and of course compare with my ears)!
 
Oct 19, 2005 at 8:45 PM Post #5 of 46
All is ASAIK.

I heard about this a few years ago, and from my understanding, the PSX referred to was highly modded. If you search hard enough at Head-Fi, you'll find someone you has tried to use various Playstations as sources. Nothing mindblowing as a result.
 
Oct 20, 2005 at 7:31 AM Post #7 of 46
Really sounds like a legend. A 1994 plastic consumer product beating high end products? Oh well, you never know as all sorts of weird things happen in the world of high end
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Oct 20, 2005 at 7:43 AM Post #8 of 46
Quote:

Originally Posted by breez
Really sounds like a legend. A 1994 plastic consumer product beating high end products? Oh well, you never know as all sorts of weird things happen in the world of high end
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Yep, like the Sonic Impact T-Amp (a plastic consumer product that beats high end products
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).

OK, so far we've got the Playstation1 paired with a T-Amp. Now, what do we do for speakers...
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Oct 20, 2005 at 7:54 AM Post #9 of 46
transport and laser in the original PS1s were some of the worst.
I had a first gen playstation, some of the most craptacular quality transports around.

I dont know if many remember, most folks had to play their playstations upside down to get the laser to read.
 
Oct 20, 2005 at 10:35 AM Post #10 of 46
Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddball
I heard about this a few years ago, and from my understanding, the PSX referred to was highly modded.


Yup, you have to put a lot of time into it, but it makes for a very nice DIY project. See that German site, it is quite amazing what the blokes do. I still am the proud owner of a SCPH-1002 (one of the first units to arrive in Germany at the time, GAWD I SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON IT!
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) in excellent working condition that is getting little use now. I already managed to put it near the Big Rig, maybe I find the time to test it in a while, should be easy with the Headroom switchbox. I think the AQVOX is going to destroy it though.

And then I will take it back downstairs & play the original Ridge Racer. Blindfolded
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Oct 21, 2005 at 1:32 AM Post #11 of 46
Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180
transport and laser in the original PS1s were some of the worst.
I had a first gen playstation, some of the most craptacular quality transports around.

I dont know if many remember, most folks had to play their playstations upside down to get the laser to read.




upside down with a fan sitting on top.
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it has to do with the track for laser getting worn out, by turning it upside down or on its side it used a different side of the track that was still fresh.
 
Oct 26, 2005 at 4:11 AM Post #12 of 46
i thought id get back to this, out of curiousity i did a quick listen to the ps1 comparing it to meridian 596... it doesnt hang.
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theres nothing really offensive about it except for a hissing/noisy background, buts the sound is pretty dull, no extension, vocals and highs are muddy, imaging and soudstage are not bad, same level as any 100-200 player id estimate, so considering these ps1 are vitually free its a pretty good bargain. but otherwise no free lunch it seems.
 
Oct 26, 2005 at 4:46 AM Post #13 of 46
I actually used a PS1 as a source for a while, on the basic premise that any halfway decent digital source is going to be within a hairsbreadth of any other -- something that proved largely true in my experience before that, and hasn't been especially untrue since.

Well, the PS1 made it untrue. It absolutely sucked, giving some of the flattest, dullest sound I've ever heard. Going to a (then-$400) entry-level DVD player gave a huge, huge improvement in sound over the PS1.

I really wouldn't recommend it.
 
Oct 26, 2005 at 5:01 AM Post #14 of 46
What about Dreamcast as source?

I like it a little better than my PCDP because the highs are a bit more pronouced but the low end isn't as there as much.
 
Oct 26, 2005 at 9:21 AM Post #15 of 46
hmm maybe a console-as-source shootout.
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i can compare dreamcast, saturn, ps1, and ps2

however, the ps1 is the only console that accepts standard rca interonnects. i used grover ur4 to test the ps1 vs meridian... freebee interconnects would turn that ps1 to absoute crap, i am sure.
 

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