Sony vs. Iriver portable CD players

[dnewhous]

I have a Sony portable CD player with G-protection and with a built in AM/FM tuner (which I have never used) model number D-FJ61. It was purchased in early 2001.

I am wondering, will an Iriver portable CD player sound significantly better?

I am not interested in portable file players until someone makes a player that can play back HE-AAC encoded mpeg4 files, then I will forget all about lugging CDs around.

As for how I think this Sony CD player sounds. It thought it sounded more crisp than my old Santa Cruz sound card (because of the resampling issue?) but it is outclassed by my Revolution 5.1. Expecting to get Revo quality from a portable player is a tad unrealistic. My one piece stereo is so pathetic a comparison is not worthwhile.

Does Iriver do anything fundamentally technically different from Sony? Like use delta-sigma DACs?

 

[LFC_SL]

2001? Jeez u got a lot of catching up to do. I have a Sony DNE10 which I am very pleased with. The sound is warm, well balanced in the bass, mid and high range. It is extremely clear & has great clarity & has replaced my trusted MD player.

Don't understand all the techno jargon, but don't expect too much from a portable. Go to store & ask 4 demo. Every 1 has own personal taste + opinion

 

[dnewhous]

And what store do you suggest I go to?

CDs are still recorded the same way now as they were in 2001. The player I bought then, though, sounds much better than the one I bought in highschool in 1994.

 

[YamiTenshi]

What's wrong with a 2001 player? I have a Panasonic from 1997 and I still love it, and I know many people here have PCDPs from even further back (some even back into the 80s

).

I don't know much about the technical stuff, but I do know that in general the newer cd players have more functions (skip protection, bass boast, etc) and are getting smaller in size then the older ones. But the older cd players (before the mid 90s) have a higher output and usually a line out.

So it really depends what you want in a cd player. If you want better sound stick with something older (generally speaking

), if you want more options and mp3 playback then get something newer (iRiver).

And yes, you can expect a lot from a portable cd player... that is if you want to spend money on it.

 

[jtwn]

I have the D-FJ61, got an imp-550 after a year or two of having it.

The difference is night and day..

Seriously, imo, the D-FJ61 is a piece of junk.

 

[fr4c]

1997...2001....psssh. my Sony D-4 dates back to 1989

i think you should look into the Sony D-EJ2000. get it before they're gone.

 

[Scorpio(DDMF)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnewhous I have a Sony portable CD player with G-protection and with a built in AM/FM tuner (which I have never used) model number D-FJ61. It was purchased in early 2001. I am wondering, will an Iriver portable CD player sound significantly better? I am not interested in portable file players until someone makes a player that can play back HE-AAC encoded mpeg4 files, then I will forget all about lugging CDs around. As for how I think this Sony CD player sounds. It thought it sounded more crisp than my old Santa Cruz sound card (because of the resampling issue?) but it is outclassed by my Revolution 5.1. Expecting to get Revo quality from a portable player is a tad unrealistic. My one piece stereo is so pathetic a comparison is not worthwhile. Does Iriver do anything fundamentally technically different from Sony? Like use delta-sigma DACs?

I don't think that change in sound will be that dramatic...

iRiver has better navigation, is a little hevyer (weight), a diferent sound signature (colors the sound a little) and a stronger amp. Note that I didn't put iRiver's firmware upgradebility on the list, cos' it just isn't frequent enough and doesn't add much to players features and value...

Today's Sony has more balanced sound, is lighter, has a unbeatable battery life and the ease of use on his side...

It is up to you do demo both models, and decide what is better for yourself.

Cheers

 

[Oddball]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtwn Seriously, imo, the D-FJ61 is a piece of junk.

Ditto. But it does have great anti-skip protection.

 

[HiWire]

Or you could wait for the Sony D-NE20 to arrive on the North American shores... apparently the sound is pretty decent.