NotoriousBIG_PJ
Step 1: Plug power cable into wall. Step 2: Plug other end of power cable into....umm.... Step 0.5: Order something to power with power cable.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2002
- Posts
- 3,487
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- 22
Note I have posted a lot of this before, I just wanted to make it into a full review.
Disclaimer
Albums I love to test equipment out with include:
·Tool – Aiema
·Tool – Laterlalus
·Audioslave – Self Titled
·Radiohead – Ok Computer
·Smashing Pumpkins – Melloncollie and the Infinite Sadness
·Pearljam – VS.
The following equipment was used in my comparisons:
·Grado RS-1’s
·Cha-47
·Markertek mini-mini
·My ears which, believe it or not, are not your ears
Introduction
Yup, I thought it was finally time to get off my lazy butt and write a review, and yes I sat down while writing this. Several weeks in the making and more then a half an hour of my time has brought forth this little gem. So read with confidence and trust that I will have delivered the only review anyone will ever care about in the history of the world…
Today’s review is not just about comparing two highly touted portables, and its not just about old school vs. not nearly as old school, and its most certainly not just about the ultimate Panasonic vs. Sony showdown, and I promise you it has nothing to do with Michael Jordan, though I’m sure he is reading this with as much anticipation as you yourself. No, the real purpose of this review is to definitively prove once and for all which is better: the D-515’s shiny gray coloured top or the CT-570’s metallic silver top.
Ok, ok, so far, so useless, but isn’t filler kind of fun? I suppose at this moment it is about time to go on with this promised gem of a review. I’ve only got one word for all of ya’ll: Pulitzer.
Ok, seriously, the review starts…now. Now. Now. Now...ummmm now.
Features
The Sony D-515 has the following features:
·Model released in 1992
·4 play modes – regular, shuffle, repeat 1 track or the whole cd and RMS
·2 eq settings – 3 bassboost settings and DDS (acts like a cross-feed I think)
·Backlight screen when powered by a 9v dc adapter
·Accepts 2 AA batteries for approximately 6 hours of battery life
·3 second uncompressed anti-shock
·Lineout and headphone out
·Option for a remote
The Panasonic CT-570 has the following features:
·Model released in 2000
·4 play modes – normal, random, repeat 1 track or the whole cd, and resume
·3 eq settings – bassboost, live (boosts treble and alters soundstage), and train (dulls treble and sounds really bad even on a train)
·10 second uncompressed and 40 second compressed anti-shock
·Accepts 2 AAA batteries and has an external battery case for 2 AA batteries giving approximately 50 hours of battery life
·Lineout and headphone out
·Option for a remote
Lineout
When my Sony D-515 arrived, the thought of trying out the lineout made me giddy. I initially hooked up my little penguin amp, turned on some tuneskees and immediately noticed audible improvements over my Panasonic CT-570’s lineout. This wasn’t exactly in a pristine listening environment but it was clear that the Sony produced a larger soundstage and an increased level of bass (a good thing). I like to do the bulk of my headphone listening at night as I drift off into sleep because my house is quieter and I am able to concentrate on music easier. After some time with my new toy, I began noticing more detail in recordings, especially at the lower end where bass notes are reproduced more realistically (closer to a real bass guitar). Also, the increased instrument separation allows me to concentrate on individual instruments with less difficulty.
Further I would like to note that I compared the CT-570’s lineout to my friends Sony 825 and I found them to share similar sound characteristics. It is a fact that the portables of today are unable to match the sound quality offered by the 515.
To briefly summarize my findings into two words, I would say that the D-515 has “more guts” in the lineout then the 570. Now the only question remains, do you have the guts to read on?
Headphone Jack vs. Headphone Jill
So you’re asking, who wears the pants in this department? Well perhaps you’ve already guessed and are just building a case to get me banned from ever doing a review again. Anyways, no surprise, the D-515 comes out on top. Just take all the comments from the lineout vs. lineout section and transplant them here, because I’m to damn lazy to do it for you.
Ok, ok, you are probably just as lazy as I am, only with less memory or good looks, so I will rehash the above comparison just for you. The d-515’s headphone out gives a larger soundstage and a more refined sound then the Panasonic. Details come through with more ease and the lower frequencies are as accurately presented as any portable I have heard. The thing to note about the D-515 is that it goes loud, like really loud, like the bleeding ears kind of thing, but then maybe that’s your fetish.
I must also add that the CT-570 can easily power any portable headphone and its sound quality dumps all over the new Sony and Panasonic players. They just don’t make portable players like they used to.
Another interesting comparison is the D-515 headphone out vs. its lineout to cha-47. The headphone out fairs pretty well, but lacks the sparkling highs of the cha-47 or the same liquid midrange. I found the bass, soundstage and detail to be similar. They sounded close enough that I decided to sell my cha-47.
Bassboost vs. Darkveilboost
My main reason for purchasing the CT-570 was to use its bassboost with the player’s lineout, a feature not found in today’s portable players. Unfortunately, the bassboost is not the same quality as my other Panasonic player and I struggle to even call it a bassboost. The 570’s bassboost seems to affect all frequencies, bringing them down a notch so to speak. It's kind of like being inside with sunglasses on. A proper bassboost should increase the low frequencies, not decrease the higher ones. Honestly you would do well to stay away from this player’s bass booster.
The D-515’s bassboost also works with the lineout, but here’s the surprising thing, it actually does what a bassboost should! The 515’s bassboost has 3 settings that only touch the lower frequencies just below the midbass and there is no bass bloat to be found. I like to set the bassboost on the first setting, just to give the cha-47’s weak bottom end a bit of help. Furthermore, the bass is not distorted akin to some cheap players that I have gotten to demo.
Now where did my ratshack battery-consuming rumble phones go…
Portability
If only one word could be used to describe portable players, compromise would be that word. This is where the CT-570 finally shows it’s worth. I would argue that this is the player with the least comprises out there that I know of. It’s fairly slim, light, has uncompressed antishock that works rather well, 50-hour battery life on 2 AA + 2 AAA batteries and sounds pretty decent. In this case, the sum is better then the parts.
The D-515 comes from an age where portable players were referred to as “mini tanks”, 6-hour battery life was cool and Eddie Vedder sang with passion. I don’t want to be too hard on the D-515 though, it really tries hard, I mean this was the first portable to offer antishock and it does not require overly priced gumstick batteries to run. The 515’s main fault lies in its insatiable hunger for power. Anyone sane would do well to feed it only high-grade NIMH batteries. Well, only one more sickening topic to cover before my masterpiece is completed.
Build
The D-515 is big and heavy. Your mom may be big and heavy. I’m getting tired, so lets just leave it at that. I think this player has a certain charm to it, and I really enjoy the backlit lcd (it glows orange when plugged into the wall). With the Sony player, I end up having to wrap the AC adapter around the front of the player because of the plugs proximity to the lineout, which just seems so wrong. The casing on this player looks like it can withstand dropping without denting. From what I’ve read, this may have been the last tank portable Sony made.
The CT570 has more curves to it and a more intuitive placement of buttons. The metal lid will dent if dropped hard so be careful. Neither player has ever scratched any of my cd’s so no worries there. In the end, I think both players have their own style, but I got to go with the D-515’s shiny gray top baby!
Conclusion
I think I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.
Closing Notes
Ultimately, I choose to sell my CT-570 because sound is my top priority. The D-515 may have its faults, but I feel it’s great lineout makes up for any of its shortcomings. Grab this player if you can, it is truly one of the best portables you can find. Thanks for reading this crazy spiel I like to call a review.
Biggie.
Disclaimer
Albums I love to test equipment out with include:
·Tool – Aiema
·Tool – Laterlalus
·Audioslave – Self Titled
·Radiohead – Ok Computer
·Smashing Pumpkins – Melloncollie and the Infinite Sadness
·Pearljam – VS.
The following equipment was used in my comparisons:
·Grado RS-1’s
·Cha-47
·Markertek mini-mini
·My ears which, believe it or not, are not your ears
Introduction
Yup, I thought it was finally time to get off my lazy butt and write a review, and yes I sat down while writing this. Several weeks in the making and more then a half an hour of my time has brought forth this little gem. So read with confidence and trust that I will have delivered the only review anyone will ever care about in the history of the world…
Today’s review is not just about comparing two highly touted portables, and its not just about old school vs. not nearly as old school, and its most certainly not just about the ultimate Panasonic vs. Sony showdown, and I promise you it has nothing to do with Michael Jordan, though I’m sure he is reading this with as much anticipation as you yourself. No, the real purpose of this review is to definitively prove once and for all which is better: the D-515’s shiny gray coloured top or the CT-570’s metallic silver top.
Ok, ok, so far, so useless, but isn’t filler kind of fun? I suppose at this moment it is about time to go on with this promised gem of a review. I’ve only got one word for all of ya’ll: Pulitzer.
Ok, seriously, the review starts…now. Now. Now. Now...ummmm now.
Features
The Sony D-515 has the following features:
·Model released in 1992
·4 play modes – regular, shuffle, repeat 1 track or the whole cd and RMS
·2 eq settings – 3 bassboost settings and DDS (acts like a cross-feed I think)
·Backlight screen when powered by a 9v dc adapter
·Accepts 2 AA batteries for approximately 6 hours of battery life
·3 second uncompressed anti-shock
·Lineout and headphone out
·Option for a remote
The Panasonic CT-570 has the following features:
·Model released in 2000
·4 play modes – normal, random, repeat 1 track or the whole cd, and resume
·3 eq settings – bassboost, live (boosts treble and alters soundstage), and train (dulls treble and sounds really bad even on a train)
·10 second uncompressed and 40 second compressed anti-shock
·Accepts 2 AAA batteries and has an external battery case for 2 AA batteries giving approximately 50 hours of battery life
·Lineout and headphone out
·Option for a remote
Lineout
When my Sony D-515 arrived, the thought of trying out the lineout made me giddy. I initially hooked up my little penguin amp, turned on some tuneskees and immediately noticed audible improvements over my Panasonic CT-570’s lineout. This wasn’t exactly in a pristine listening environment but it was clear that the Sony produced a larger soundstage and an increased level of bass (a good thing). I like to do the bulk of my headphone listening at night as I drift off into sleep because my house is quieter and I am able to concentrate on music easier. After some time with my new toy, I began noticing more detail in recordings, especially at the lower end where bass notes are reproduced more realistically (closer to a real bass guitar). Also, the increased instrument separation allows me to concentrate on individual instruments with less difficulty.
Further I would like to note that I compared the CT-570’s lineout to my friends Sony 825 and I found them to share similar sound characteristics. It is a fact that the portables of today are unable to match the sound quality offered by the 515.
To briefly summarize my findings into two words, I would say that the D-515 has “more guts” in the lineout then the 570. Now the only question remains, do you have the guts to read on?
Headphone Jack vs. Headphone Jill
So you’re asking, who wears the pants in this department? Well perhaps you’ve already guessed and are just building a case to get me banned from ever doing a review again. Anyways, no surprise, the D-515 comes out on top. Just take all the comments from the lineout vs. lineout section and transplant them here, because I’m to damn lazy to do it for you.
Ok, ok, you are probably just as lazy as I am, only with less memory or good looks, so I will rehash the above comparison just for you. The d-515’s headphone out gives a larger soundstage and a more refined sound then the Panasonic. Details come through with more ease and the lower frequencies are as accurately presented as any portable I have heard. The thing to note about the D-515 is that it goes loud, like really loud, like the bleeding ears kind of thing, but then maybe that’s your fetish.
I must also add that the CT-570 can easily power any portable headphone and its sound quality dumps all over the new Sony and Panasonic players. They just don’t make portable players like they used to.
Another interesting comparison is the D-515 headphone out vs. its lineout to cha-47. The headphone out fairs pretty well, but lacks the sparkling highs of the cha-47 or the same liquid midrange. I found the bass, soundstage and detail to be similar. They sounded close enough that I decided to sell my cha-47.
Bassboost vs. Darkveilboost
My main reason for purchasing the CT-570 was to use its bassboost with the player’s lineout, a feature not found in today’s portable players. Unfortunately, the bassboost is not the same quality as my other Panasonic player and I struggle to even call it a bassboost. The 570’s bassboost seems to affect all frequencies, bringing them down a notch so to speak. It's kind of like being inside with sunglasses on. A proper bassboost should increase the low frequencies, not decrease the higher ones. Honestly you would do well to stay away from this player’s bass booster.
The D-515’s bassboost also works with the lineout, but here’s the surprising thing, it actually does what a bassboost should! The 515’s bassboost has 3 settings that only touch the lower frequencies just below the midbass and there is no bass bloat to be found. I like to set the bassboost on the first setting, just to give the cha-47’s weak bottom end a bit of help. Furthermore, the bass is not distorted akin to some cheap players that I have gotten to demo.
Now where did my ratshack battery-consuming rumble phones go…
Portability
If only one word could be used to describe portable players, compromise would be that word. This is where the CT-570 finally shows it’s worth. I would argue that this is the player with the least comprises out there that I know of. It’s fairly slim, light, has uncompressed antishock that works rather well, 50-hour battery life on 2 AA + 2 AAA batteries and sounds pretty decent. In this case, the sum is better then the parts.
The D-515 comes from an age where portable players were referred to as “mini tanks”, 6-hour battery life was cool and Eddie Vedder sang with passion. I don’t want to be too hard on the D-515 though, it really tries hard, I mean this was the first portable to offer antishock and it does not require overly priced gumstick batteries to run. The 515’s main fault lies in its insatiable hunger for power. Anyone sane would do well to feed it only high-grade NIMH batteries. Well, only one more sickening topic to cover before my masterpiece is completed.
Build
The D-515 is big and heavy. Your mom may be big and heavy. I’m getting tired, so lets just leave it at that. I think this player has a certain charm to it, and I really enjoy the backlit lcd (it glows orange when plugged into the wall). With the Sony player, I end up having to wrap the AC adapter around the front of the player because of the plugs proximity to the lineout, which just seems so wrong. The casing on this player looks like it can withstand dropping without denting. From what I’ve read, this may have been the last tank portable Sony made.
The CT570 has more curves to it and a more intuitive placement of buttons. The metal lid will dent if dropped hard so be careful. Neither player has ever scratched any of my cd’s so no worries there. In the end, I think both players have their own style, but I got to go with the D-515’s shiny gray top baby!
Conclusion
I think I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.
Closing Notes
Ultimately, I choose to sell my CT-570 because sound is my top priority. The D-515 may have its faults, but I feel it’s great lineout makes up for any of its shortcomings. Grab this player if you can, it is truly one of the best portables you can find. Thanks for reading this crazy spiel I like to call a review.
Biggie.
