Why PCDP?

[shane1]

I am new here and I am confused about on thing. Why do people still buy PCDP's? I have an iPod 40gig and the sound quality on most songs sound very similar to me as compared to CD's. Is there a reason that they are still popular that I am not ware of? Thanks.

shane

 

[KevinP]

You can't play CDs on an iPod...

 

[DLeeWebb]

I am certainly not an expert on this topic. There are many others around here who could give you a much more detailed/technical explanation. However, I haven't seen any body jump in so here's my not so detailed explanation. iPods and all MP3 Players use "lossy"/compressed audio formats [MP3/AAC etc.]. The more compressed a music file is the lower the quality level. CD's use a "lossless" or uncompressed format hence the quality is better. If you don't hear a difference between the two perhaps it is the equipment that you are using, your hearing or both. I'm sure if you search around this website you will find several very technical explanations of this concept. Hope this helps...

 

[nkd]

I'd say that KevinP had it right

The ipod is great for music you already own, but if you go away for a while and buy a new cd, or even if you're just out in town and buy one, you can't play it on an ipod. PCDPs have the convenience that you can play any music that you have in your hand, whereas the ipod needs a computer to be of any use.

 

[ampgalore]

I am waiting for 80gig ipods to come out, and improved battery life, so I can store my music collection in apple lossless on the ipod.

Seriously, with all the HD based players available, I can't picture myself buying another expensive top of the line portable CD player, much less a vintage one that goes for $400+.

 

[Kirosia]

There's also another obvious reason - they're cheaper. Many people can't afford HDD players, especially when you're looking to get a good amp and headphone. Also, many people don't listen to mp3s at all, or maybe only have a few cds which wouldn't really justify getting the use of one. Plus, some cd players just sound better.

 

[pedxing]

I would hate to waste the time of ripping my entire CD collection and buy a super huge mass storage device to store them all.

Edit: I also hate lossy compression, hence my requirement of a large storate device.

 

[ampgalore]

Ripping your entire CD collection is time consuming. Right now I am storing all my music CDs in wave format on a 250gig external harddrive. So far I have only ripped about 50 or so CDs. About 450 more to go.

Also, if you use EAC, that can slow things down even more.

 

[bhd812]

sorry call me old school but to me i just dont like mp3's...

only thing they were good for was cause of napster, other then that they are crap to me

 

[shane1]

All of the above makes sense. I guess they all have thier pro's and con's. I was actually considering buying the Sony D-NE500 for my office. Is this a decent CD player?

 

[pedxing]

I think it was reviewed in this thread:

http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=73233

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane1 Why do people still buy PCDP's?

I have a PCDP (well... actually more than one) which I use when travelling. I tend to buy CD's when I'm abroad, in airports, etc so I need something to play them back with on the plane. However I also usually travel with a laptop and DAP so I rip them later and incorporate them into my library on the move. So it's a specific need for me. Sometimes, when I'm going shopping for a lot of CD's I'll have a PCDP with me so that I can listen on my way back home. I don't have a use for a PCDP beyond that.

 

[Luke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 sorry call me old school but to me i just dont like mp3's... only thing they were good for was cause of napster, other then that they are crap to me

Well, you take a track from a CD, compress it to a 192 mp3 with LAME, and play it back. Compare it to the CD. Can you tell the difference?

Most people can not. Some people say they can. It certainly requires good headphones, at the very least. But let's say one CAN tell the difference between a CD and an MP3 as described above. Is it a bad difference? I've heard arguments that the difference actually makes a track sound BETTER in mp3.

Anyways, if there is an audible difference, it certainly isn't enough for me to give up on mp3's.

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane1 I have an iPod 40gig and the sound quality on most songs sound very similar to me as compared to CD's. shane

how much you are willing to bet about the sound coming through my dne1 pcdp->supermini amp->k340 would make a difference. sound quality is what headfi is all about. also what bitrate, headphone, amp you are using come into context too.

not to mention that harddrive players are known to have bugs, hd failed and some people dont want to take those risks, battery life, etc. a well built cd player can last a very long time, especially those classic one made in the late 80s and early 90s many people here are still using them.

all that being said, i am selling everything i have and getting an hd player.

 

[marios_mar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx all that being said, i am selling everything i have and getting an hd player.

I like to carry a portable device-->Cmoy-->HD580 when I go on a little trip away from home.

So to sum up with PCDP:

1. It sounds better
2. You do not have to encode each song you like to hear
3. It is cheaper
4. It is more reliable-probably more battery life as well

I definately would NOT give those ridiculous amounts to buy a 20-40 Gb HDD player. Yet again the Rio with the 1,5 GB and the good battery life is tempting low priced (round $130 on ebay new!) and has received good reviews. Dont know about sound quality though.