Why we shouldn’t dismiss old CD players.

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman I'd really like to see this test. I'm prepared to buy one or two entry-level universals for a fair trial against the old players if it would satisfy people's curiousity, and if we can discuss this like adults.

Count me as being uninterested.

I'm not going to mention old school anymore here... I know when the jury has cast its vote, and it wouldn't make any difference if this 'comparison' was done, because i've already made a comparison myself (against the Arcam line, albeit without written down response, only aural recollection). So, unless your opinion is worth its weight in gold, and mine is worth nothing... the conclusions wouldn't change a thing in terms of the general consensus here.

I'm just going to listen to my CDP and enjoy it... for however long it lasts.

 

[TimSchirmer]

For redbook, my micromega beats the 963 hands down.

 

[bangraman]

Fair enough... I won't bother then.


It's just that some of the 'old school is better' seems to be coming from the 'I own this, but I've tried lots of others' camp. This applies to anything... old school, soundcards, etc. I know that in-shop auditions aren't conclusive to say the least, which is why when I really want to try out a player I bring it home either on loan or on approval of some sort... failing that I'll buy it and if I don't like it, take the loss on a secondhand sale. I certainly would not lend any significant weight to a shop audition vs what you have comparison. If that offends, I apologise but it's my view in my own rather extensive experience.

 

[spwal]

dude, ive said it before, my NAD dvd/cdp bought new in 2002 (500 bucks) is probably a better source than most people at head fi and i used it both stand alone and with a new Bel Canto DAC 2 upsampling state of the art rave review DAC (1200 USD), and the meridian 206 kicked its ass both times.

The meridian ws much more involved and with a much more satisfying bass weight.

The NAD sounded "good", thats what they are made to do. But no where near as rich and powerful as the 12 year old meridian.

After hearing the side by side comparision, i realized that the NAD would never satisfy me as my sole player.

IN mny respects i wish i never herd the "old great ones"

Sean

 

[19lexicon78]

duncan..what's that old vintage site you're talking about...did they mention the philips lhh players..if so, i like to know where to browse...

after reading some internet-sites, i'm more interested in the older equipment..not only cd but also lp and reel. and not to forget..yes, those 80's walkmans..

 

[Duncan]

19lexicon78...

Its not a site like head-fi.. purely DIY... but there are plenty of hits for Philips CD players / DACs and so forth...

link here

 

[spwal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupples Just to chime in with my 2p, I've owned Meridian 206 and 207s, a Pioneer Precision 505 (with the stable platter), and I'm currently listening to a Rotel 965 with a Mission Dac 7. I've always felt these old players (especially the Meridians) have done digital perfectly well

you have said it perfectly well and your path is a great blueprint that i think many new comers or vintage pcdp crossovers should follow.

 

[19lexicon78]

thanx

i see, it's the real deal...

hmm, to bad i'm not an electrician...i could build my own philips lhh player..

oo, they don't know about the emt 927..nor the lhh 2000

i think it's tooo technical for me...but thanx anyway

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman I'm not sure it's a proper flame-grilled war yet (apart from Pinkie's outburst, which I have to say I smiled an evil grin at... Motorcycles, Pinkie, motorcycles ).

It's been over a week Bangra and I still can't understand the motorcycles bit

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman People usually buy old school players because of budget constraints or to get a 'name' for less, so it is unlikely that they've compared it to a variety of current low-cost players.

That makes sense, on one hand, but on the other you've shot yourself in the foot with a large blunderbuss.

You repeatedly state that todays low cost players are miles better than the players of yesteryear and then you state you may be prepared to buy a few old school players to do a comparison?? You mean you didn't do a comparison before reaching your conclusion that modern players are better?

If your way of thinking is that people who choose older high end machines do so because they can't afford a low cost player (or haven't heard a low cost or high cost modern player) then fair enough..... the same would hold true for people who can afford high end modern machines... as you said earlier, why tack new wings onto an old porsche.

Until you get hold of a "secondhand" old school CDP and do a comparison with a modern machine you're not really in a position to comment Bangra are you? You're not exactly convincing me that modern day players sound better considering your opinion is based on memory and not hard fact.

It could also be said that some of us "can" afford high end CDP's but refuse to pay £5,000 when the same sound can be had for £100........ £4,900 is a hell of a lot of CD's mate

I welcome your willingness to stoop into the secondhand market and look forward to your honest appraisal.

Your shopping list should contain:

Philips CD 850
Philips CD 880
Rotel RCD 965 BX LE Discrete
Meridian 206

If you can also get hold of a Trichord clocked version of any of the above then that would be icing on the cake.

There are plenty more old school CDP's that should be on your shopping list and I'm sure a list of personal favourites will appear over the next few days.

On the subject of failing parts...... new transports / lasers etc. are easy to fit and widely available for very little money so you can fit a new laser with consumate ease at a relatively low cost.... there are no technical barriers / component availabilty issues to worry about, none whatsoever. Amps built in the 1920's are still serviceable so you've got no worries with CDP's built 12 years ago...... you'll always get off the shelf parts if required. I can't say the same for the machines of today...... when it breaks it'll probably be a case of throwing it in a landfill site

Pinkie.

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkFloyd It's been over a week Bangra and I still can't understand the motorcycles bit

Didnt you have a problem with noisy neighbours including a dumb drummer and Bike revver ? or was that someone else ?

 

[PinkFloyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 Didnt you have a problem with noisy neighbours including a dumb drummer and Bike revver ? or was that someone else ?

Oh right!! Nice one

The biker crashed and broke a load of bones and the dumb drummer has discovered sex with ugly females (a great match IMO) so you could hear a pin drop at pinksville (apart from the occasional cry of "oooh yeh you ugly dumb cow!" from the retards bedroom) bliss..... pure bliss I tell you (that voodoo doll did the trick

)

 

[bangraman]

Pinkie,

My comment was regarding your comment, to wit something on the basis of Japanese crap which was deleted. I appreciate your comments above, and that it comes from what you believe to be true. I'll keep an eye out for those specific players.


"You repeatedly state that todays low cost players are miles better than the players of yesteryear and then you state you may be prepared to buy a few old school players to do a comparison?? You mean you didn't do a comparison before reaching your conclusion that modern players are better?"

Actually, no I didn't say that. I said that I had compared many low and high end players of yesteryear (especially as regards ES-series 'crap' from Japan, that land of underachieving morons who can't make a stereo if their lives depended on it) and found a marked improvement with what I have now / have had recently.


What I have not compared with are the new crop of low-cost universal players which have benefitted from trickle down technology of DVD players. These are a different kettle of fish in terms of technology employed, and as such I suggested that we do a comparison. One might also ask if you have carried out this comparison at home, not at the relatively uncontrolled environment of a shop.

 

[19lexicon78]

never tried the philips 850, but for 100 euro..tja..better than all those pcdp's

but i'll stick with my studer...
ok, has also a lot of philips components in it..that's a goooood thing...

you know what's stupid...japanese lovvvveeeee philips cd-players....

enough said..

actually they love all the european stuff

 

[bangraman]

Only the people who can't afford the really high-end Japanese stuff