• 04-21-2005, 08:45 PM
    Jeremy
    CD player replaced by DVD player ?
    Hi, just like to know is there a dvd player that can play good cd audio ?
  • 04-22-2005, 05:57 AM
    shokhead
    A nice DVD player will play CD's just fine. Something like the Yamaha C750 for 300 bucks will play just about every disc there is and its a 5 disc changer. This is just an example as there are others for less.
  • 04-22-2005, 06:00 AM
    46minaudio
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jeremy
    Hi, just like to know is there a dvd player that can play good cd audio ?

    Yes,Some can even play SACD,DVDa,CD,MP3,DVDv and others for less than $200.
  • 04-22-2005, 07:43 AM
    LEAFS264
    Pioneer Elite DV-59AI.
  • 04-22-2005, 09:17 AM
    Jeremy
    CD player obsolete ?
    I was wondering if DVD player can replaced CD player. Then why do we still need CD player around ?

    By the way is there any difference between the sound quality of a CD audio playing on a
    DVD & CD player ?

    Maybe I should rephase my question "Can I achieve a high-end audio quality by using a DVD player due to budget constrain ?".
  • 04-22-2005, 09:58 AM
    shokhead
    You wont hear any difference in a $200 DVD player and a $200 CD player,both playing CD's. I havent had a CD player in years.
  • 04-22-2005, 10:52 AM
    paul_pci
    I have a CD player, but that's just a matter of convenience. I have the Sony 300 disc player because I'm too lazy to change discs. Now, I don't really want repave trampled ground, but most people use the digital connection for these lower priced players so that the receiver or preamp is doing the processing of transported digital information and not the player; therefore, it becomes arbitrary whether one gets a DVD player or a CD player when using the digital connection.
  • 04-23-2005, 04:53 AM
    46minaudio
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jeremy

    Maybe I should rephase my question "Can I achieve a high-end audio quality by using a DVD player due to budget constrain ?".

    Yes, again look at some of the players that will play all formats..Toshiba and Yamaha make a 5 disc PS player that does this all formats for around $300 .They also include proper bass management and distance settings for DVDa/SACD..
  • 04-23-2005, 07:46 AM
    shokhead
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by paul_pci
    I have a CD player, but that's just a matter of convenience. I have the Sony 300 disc player because I'm too lazy to change discs. Now, I don't really want repave trampled ground, but most people use the digital connection for these lower priced players so that the receiver or preamp is doing the processing of transported digital information and not the player; therefore, it becomes arbitrary whether one gets a DVD player or a CD player when using the digital connection.

    Is your Sony full?
  • 04-23-2005, 09:41 AM
    paul_pci
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by shokhead
    Is your Sony full?

    Not in the least. I have about 110 discs in there.
  • 04-23-2005, 12:29 PM
    Mr Peabody
    DVD players have not replaced CD players because DVD players do not give the same care to the analog signal as a true CD player. I am not talking about your entry level players. Through the analog outputs you will hear significantly better sound from a good CD player over a DVD player. It is too expensive to put high quality analog output stage for format in a multi format machine. Even brands like Arcam and Krell cannot do it. There high end DVD players have very good CD playback but not comparable to their CD players costing the same. I can't tell you why this is from a technical stand point but it is. To not recognize this you'd have to be in the camp that thinks all CD players sound the same. You simply cannot make one machine do the job of 3 or 4 at the same cost and performance of the one machine.

    If you use the digital output of the machine there will be no difference in what kind of player you use. Although this is also debated as well.

    My advice would be if you are planning on using the digital output of your machine or going to spend less than maybe $300.00 go ahead and get a DVD or multi format player. If you are looking for good CD playback use the analog outputs and buy a good CD player. By good I mean one that offers better performance than your mass market brands.
  • 04-28-2005, 09:44 AM
    Jeremy
    Using DAC ?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
    DVD players have not replaced CD players because DVD players do not give the same care to the analog signal as a true CD player. I am not talking about your entry level players. Through the analog outputs you will hear significantly better sound from a good CD player over a DVD player. It is too expensive to put high quality analog output stage for format in a multi format machine. Even brands like Arcam and Krell cannot do it. There high end DVD players have very good CD playback but not comparable to their CD players costing the same. I can't tell you why this is from a technical stand point but it is. To not recognize this you'd have to be in the camp that thinks all CD players sound the same. You simply cannot make one machine do the job of 3 or 4 at the same cost and performance of the one machine.

    If you use the digital output of the machine there will be no difference in what kind of player you use. Although this is also debated as well.

    My advice would be if you are planning on using the digital output of your machine or going to spend less than maybe $300.00 go ahead and get a DVD or multi format player. If you are looking for good CD playback use the analog outputs and buy a good CD player. By good I mean one that offers better performance than your mass market brands.

    How about using a DAC for my DVD player ? Do u think the sound quantity will be better
    than a CD player ?

    Another thing is "Is it worthwhile to buy a DAC 4 my DVD player or buy a good CD player ?".
  • 04-28-2005, 10:41 AM
    N. Abstentia
    I doubt you'll hear a difference no matter what you do.

    Put it this way..what does the rest of your system look like? If you've got $4000 in a preamp and $10,000 in speakers then by all means you can worry about DAC's and getting a .000001% sound quality improvement, but if you've got a $400 receiver and $500 speakers then just get whatever player fits your budget and needs.
  • 04-28-2005, 11:42 AM
    Jeremy
    Fyi
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by N. Abstentia
    I doubt you'll hear a difference no matter what you do.

    Put it this way..what does the rest of your system look like? If you've got $4000 in a preamp and $10,000 in speakers then by all means you can worry about DAC's and getting a .000001% sound quality improvement, but if you've got a $400 receiver and $500 speakers then just get whatever player fits your budget and needs.

    Infact, I am very new to hifi. I had given up this hobby since 10 over years ago. I actually just brought the sf concerto home speaker. I would like to use back my accuphase
    integrated amp E206 to drive the speaker & my philip DVD hard disk recorder to play CD audio. I am yet to get some speaker & interconnect cable. I heard from my friend that
    RS cable is good. I had intended to get it this week.

    Due to budget contrain, I tried to buy item 1 at a time. I hope my amp is still working.
    Any suggestion ?
  • 04-28-2005, 12:20 PM
    N. Abstentia
    You'll be more than pleased with the CD performance of a good DVD player, you might even want to get a 5 disc so you can load it up with whatever you want.
  • 04-28-2005, 02:21 PM
    matt39
    Even an inexpensive dvd player...
    ...can do a pretty good job on cd's. As an experiment I recently purchased a Toshiba 3980 for use as a cdp. It does a very good job indeed. I am not saying that it is better or worse than a stand alone cd player, simply that it does a very good job in it's own right. It sounds much better than I expected and out of all proportion to it's price. Whether one prefers it over a cdp is, IMO, a matter of personal preference and the features you are looking for in your digital source. The cheaper players lack the build quality and features of more expensive players but still sound pretty good, even very good. Just my two cents.
  • 04-28-2005, 03:46 PM
    shokhead
    They all sound the same hooked up with the dig out. :D
  • 04-28-2005, 06:12 PM
    Mr Peabody
    If you already have a DVD player a DAC would be a good way to go for 2 channel listening. I'd think you could get more performance for your money by just buying the DAC. That way your cost don't include the transport, remote and whatever else would go into a full cd player. You might take a look at www.amusicdirect.com they carry several DAC's and have a 30 day return policy if you aren't happy.

    On the home theater side I use a Denon DVD player and in 2 channel the DAC in my Primare processor sounds much better. I admit that is somewhat of a big step up in DAC capability but I definitely think it's worth buying a DAC for 2 channel. On another system I have been using a higher end Denon cd player which is a few generations back on DAC technology, I recently stuck a used Conrad Johnson DAC, which is a few generations back itself, on the digital output and it has made a dramatic improvement. I only paid about $400.00 for the CJ DAC. These guys don't listen, their loss, but you can make a large improvement in sound quality, no matter your electronics, if you upgrade your front end. This CJ DAC I'm talking about would still sound better than the Denon's DAC even through a Pioneer receiver. Go and listen to some gear for yourself, I could hear a difference in entry level cd players from Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha in a recent comparison. All things digital DO NOT sound the same.

    This CJ DAC is the first outboard DAC I've used so I really don't have a good suggestion as to what brand to look at. If you are serious about looking let me know and I have a friend that could give us a pointer and also check out reviews of some DAC's. Then buying from a place that will let you return it is a must, then you have nothing to loose and everything to gain. If it's not up to your expectations, send it back, or if you are amazed, then you have many hours of enjoyable listening ahead as you re-explore your music collection.
  • 04-29-2005, 08:32 AM
    N. Abstentia
    I think you have to consider the guy's budget here...I don't think he's ready to go spending $1000 for a standalone CD player for $500 just for a DAC.

    Bascially, he'd be better off with a good quality $300 DVD player that does everything, rather than getting a $150 DVD player and a $69 CD player. There's no way he'd gain ANYTHING by getting a cheapo CD player. Just because it's a 'standalone' CD player does not mean it will sound better than a DVD player.

    A $1000 CD player? Yes.
    $69 CD player? No.
  • 04-29-2005, 08:38 AM
    shokhead
    $1000 cd player-Yes
    $69 cd player-No
    Why? As long as your using the Dig out,they will sound the same and thats the way most hook up. I wouldnt buy a $1000 cd player so i could not use the dig. :confused:
    Maybe i'm wrong{again} but dont most of use use the dig connection?
  • 04-29-2005, 01:15 PM
    Jeremy
    Thanks for your advise.
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by N. Abstentia
    You'll be more than pleased with the CD performance of a good DVD player, you might even want to get a 5 disc so you can load it up with whatever you want.

    Let me hook up my system & see how does it sound......B4 that, I need to get some cables.....
  • 04-29-2005, 01:19 PM
    Jeremy
    Hey, but I don't think you will not get a good quality sound by buying a cheap cd player & use the digital output.

    Is it true that a transport & DAC combine always work better than a cd player ?
  • 04-29-2005, 05:01 PM
    N. Abstentia
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by shokhead
    $1000 cd player-Yes
    $69 cd player-No
    Why? As long as your using the Dig out,they will sound the same and thats the way most hook up. I wouldnt buy a $1000 cd player so i could not use the dig. :confused:
    Maybe i'm wrong{again} but dont most of use use the dig connection?

    Umm..digital is NOT the way most of us hook them up. I'm talking high quality players here..not the $99 Walmart specials. If it's got a high quality DAC, USE IT!

    Besides, it's impossible to play SACD through digital, and you can't get the high res DVD-A tracks with digital.
  • 04-29-2005, 05:52 PM
    shokhead
    Didnt see that we were talking about DVD-A and SACD. Wow,so most do not use the digital connection,well i guess i learned something today. Interesting. If i had a player that costs more then my reciever, i suppose i wouldnt use the dig but i'd rather not spend 1K on a player. I'm kinda a beliver that most dont hear the differences they claim only a dog could here.
  • 04-29-2005, 06:35 PM
    noddin0ff
    Shokhead-I consider my system mid-fi. Denon DCM-370 CD player and Yamaha RX-V800 receiver. I bought the Denon because at the time it had the best DAC's for my budget. I connect the Denon analog outs to the receiver because it sounds better than the digital connection. The Denon has better DAC's to my ears (and I suppose on paper too but I don't know). I'm nowhere near the $1K range.

    My DVD player is connected digitally for 5.1 DD/DTS (but analog for SACD, of course) I've also tried analog outs for 5.1 but I don't really notice a difference but I haven't really cared to listen for one.

    My point being that you don't have to climb the equipment ladder very far to find CD players DAC's that outdo the receiver DAC's. I tend to believe that DAC's get cheaper and better every year so it won't be too long until it really doesn't matter because they'll all be good. I expect that any midrange DVD/CD/SACD/DVD-A player from a good company these days will sound quite good.
  • 04-30-2005, 05:05 AM
    shokhead
    Well i'm always going the better reciever then the rest of my stuff guy. I'm pretty sure that my 2805 has better DAC'c then my Sony player. I think i'm alot less picky then most. Maybe someone could list say,5 common Dac's used in recievers and players that are best to look for. That might be interesting or list common equipment and what they use like Yamaha,Denon,Onkyo and so on,say all mid-priced stuff. I bet N Abstentia has that info all in his head to share with us,i hope. :D
  • 04-30-2005, 06:12 AM
    Mr Peabody
    It not always in the actual conversion of digital to analog, but sometimes it is, but the quality has more to do with what happens to the analog signal after it's converted.

    I missed where the original posted gave his exact budget. I believe in one of my posts I agreed that if the budget was $300.00, give or take, he could be as well off getting a universal machine. Marantz is putting out some nice stuff in that range. But for not much more you can find a outboard DAC that will give far superior channel sound than a $300.00 universal machine.

    As far as which is better internal receiver DAC vs DVD or CD player, that's only something that can really be decided by listening and comparing.
  • 04-30-2005, 06:57 AM
    N. Abstentia
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by shokhead
    Maybe someone could list say,5 common Dac's used in recievers and players that are best to look for. That might be interesting or list common equipment and what they use like Yamaha,Denon,Onkyo and so on,say all mid-priced stuff. I bet N Abstentia has that info all in his head to share with us,i hope. :D

    Actually I have no freaking idea! I have no idea who makes DAC's, I can name Burr/Brown mainly just from reading various player literature.

    Other than that, I just trust my ears. I've learned to never get caught up in a name as you can get burned. "OH, this player has ABC DAC, it must sound better than anything else. I'll take it." Not for me. It could have a Wile E. Coyote ACME DAC for all I care..as long as the total package delivers the sound I want is the main thing.

    Plus the DAC is just one piece of the puzzle. It's all got to work together in perfect harmony to sound good.
  • 04-30-2005, 08:13 AM
    shokhead
    I'm starting my search for an ACME DAC,i know they are out there somewhere. :D
    :D
  • 04-30-2005, 04:11 PM
    bikeman
    "I can't tell you why this is from a technical stand point but it is. To not recognize this you'd have to be in the camp that thinks all CD players sound the same. You simply cannot make one machine do the job of 3 or 4 at the same cost and performance of the one machine."

    If you can't tell someone "why from a tecnical standpoint" then you can't tell him why. All you can tell them is you preceive a difference. From a technical standpoint there are no differences that a consumer would be able to benefit from.
    Buy a DVD player, almost any DVD player (most have a pretty finite life span to beging with). Most are made in the same Far East factories so it's pretty much it's just the marketing depts that are different. There are exceptions in build quality but there is not one ioda of evidence (perception does not qualify as evidence unless it can be scientifically validated) that build quality translates into "improved" sound.
    Make sure the DVD player you choose has all the features that you might require. At a minimum, it should have analog outputs, at least one (but two is better) digital outputs. It should also be able to play CD's and DVD's in the formats that you are likely to use.
    Also keep in mind the the DVD itself is on it's way out. Blu-Ray and HDCD are coming very soon and will quickly dominate the market. Current players will not play these formats so don't spend alot on a current generation DVD Player.
    Spend all the money you save on music. Software beats hardware anyday.

    David
  • 04-30-2005, 04:59 PM
    shokhead
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bikeman
    "I can't tell you why this is from a technical stand point but it is. To not recognize this you'd have to be in the camp that thinks all CD players sound the same. You simply cannot make one machine do the job of 3 or 4 at the same cost and performance of the one machine."

    If you can't tell someone "why from a tecnical standpoint" then you can't tell him why. All you can tell them is you preceive a difference. From a technical standpoint there are no differences that a consumer would be able to benefit from.
    Buy a DVD player, almost any DVD player (most have a pretty finite life span to beging with). Most are made in the same Far East factories so it's pretty much it's just the marketing depts that are different. There are exceptions in build quality but there is not one ioda of evidence (perception does not qualify as evidence unless it can be scientifically validated) that build quality translates into "improved" sound.
    Make sure the DVD player you choose has all the features that you might require. At a minimum, it should have analog outputs, at least one (but two is better) digital outputs. It should also be able to play CD's and DVD's in the formats that you are likely to use.
    Also keep in mind the the DVD itself is on it's way out. Blu-Ray and HDCD are coming very soon and will quickly dominate the market. Current players will not play these formats so don't spend alot on a current generation DVD Player.
    Spend all the money you save on music. Software beats hardware anyday.

    David


    How do you know they will quickly dominate the market?
  • 04-30-2005, 05:42 PM
    bikeman
    I don't know in the literal sense but in the economic sense, I consider it a slam dunk. The last three introductions of significance A/V technology all were rapidly assimilated. VHS/Beta, CD's and DVD's. It is in the the major player's best interest to re-coup the huge investment that they have in these technologies. Most consumers are sheep and can be led by multi-million dollar marketing campaigns. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

    David
  • 05-01-2005, 04:34 PM
    Mr Peabody
    Well Bikerman I can't technically tell you how an airplane flies either but I'm pretty damn sure it does. I can't understand why with your level of misunderstanding and ignorance of this hobby would bother participating on this forum.

    A $30.00 DVD player does the same job as a $3,000.00 DVD player but there is quite a difference in their ability to carry out the job. Some people appreciate the difference and some don't but to deny the difference is foolishness. A Cavalier will get you to work the same as a Cadillac but it would be foolish to say the ride or driving ability is the same. Same thing with electronics, in most instance you get what you pay for.
  • 05-01-2005, 06:26 PM
    bikeman
    "Well Bikerman I can't technically tell you how an airplane flies either but I'm pretty damn sure it does."

    You know it flies and that's all you know. You know the DVD player makes sound and that's all you know. How it does it, by your own admission is beyond your level of expertise.

    I can't understand why with your level of misunderstanding and ignorance of this hobby would bother participating on this forum.

    You admit you don't understand the technical aspects but I'm the one with the "misunderstanding and ignorance?" Go figure.

    A $30.00 DVD player does the same job as a $3,000.00 DVD player but there is quite a difference in their ability to carry out the job.

    Then discuss those differences. I'm always interested in learning new things.

    Some people appreciate the difference and some don't but to deny the difference is foolishness.

    I've never denied there are differences. I'm asking for an explantion of how those differences relate to sound. Again, that involves a technical explanation which you admit you are unable to provide.

    A Cavalier will get you to work the same as a Cadillac but it would be foolish to say the ride or driving ability is the same. Same thing with electronics, in most instance you get what you pay for.

    Pure BS. What you pay and what you get are not directly related. You are talking about your perceptions and equating them with fact. That's why science became a discipline. So we as a species could learn to differenciate fact from perception.
    Your car analogy is not comparable. The difference in the handling of an automobile or the sound of the vehicle for that matter can be explained mathmatically.

    David
  • 05-01-2005, 11:26 PM
    grigore
    Hi! The sound of the new models of DVD-players can be prety close to an entry level or even mid-level CD-player. For the moment only very expensive DVD-player can deliver a very good sound wich is compared with the sound of a very good CD-player. Personal I own a Panasonic DVD S-47 and it's sounds better then an entry lever player from Sony and Denon and I can tell this becouse I'v made many sound's test. But if you want to achiev a very high quality of sound I recomend to you to buy a good CD-player.
  • 05-02-2005, 04:54 AM
    bikeman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by grigore
    Hi! The sound of the new models of DVD-players can be prety close to an entry level or even mid-level CD-player. For the moment only very expensive DVD-player can deliver a very good sound wich is compared with the sound of a very good CD-player. Personal I own a Panasonic DVD S-47 and it's sounds better then an entry lever player from Sony and Denon and I can tell this becouse I'v made many sound's test. But if you want to achiev a very high quality of sound I recomend to you to buy a good CD-player.

    To you, one sounds better than the other. And that's valid. You hear a difference. But if there is a noticeable difference, it can be measured.
    Not everyone hears a difference. ABX testing has humbled many an audiophile. The field of perceptual psychology is coming up with quite a bit right now. A trip to the local college library can do more for someone's understanding that a trip to the local Hi-Fi salon.

    David
  • 05-02-2005, 05:55 AM
    noddin0ff
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bikeman
    Also keep in mind the the DVD itself is on it's way out. Blu-Ray and HDCD are coming very soon and will quickly dominate the market. Current players will not play these formats so don't spend alot on a current generation DVD Player.
    Spend all the money you save on music. Software beats hardware anyday.

    I agree that new formats are on the way but 'quickly dominate'? I don't think so. HDTV is still a long way from domination and it has a government mandate behind it. HDCD is a 2-channel audio format and there are already superior formats available, so it's not likely that that it will ever dominate and its been available for years. To me it seems the main thing stalling the roll out of new video formats is the copy protection concerns of the movie industries versus every one else. I don't see that being resolved anytime soon. DVD may be on the way out but it will be here until every one owns HDTV's.
  • 05-02-2005, 07:41 AM
    bikeman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by noddin0ff
    I don't DVD may be on the way out but it will be here until every one owns HDTV's.


    I'm not basing my thoughts on rational behavior as you are. I'm basing it on the effectiveness of marketing. I think I'm right. I hope you're right.
    On a related note, it appears that many folks are buying HDTV's and not receiving an HD signal either through ignorance or cost considerations.

    David
  • 05-02-2005, 07:50 AM
    noddin0ff
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bikeman
    I'm not basing my thoughts on rational behavior as you are. I'm basing it on the effectiveness of marketing. I think I'm right. I hope you're right.
    On a related note, it appears that many folks are buying HDTV's and not receiving an HD signal either through ignorance or cost considerations.

    I'm sure once the future video format is settled, marketing will be aggressive and we will all be assimilated, but it is the settling that seems to be the issue...Content providers see things differently than hardware providers.
  • 05-05-2005, 12:52 PM
    Dave Lindhorst
    Hey guys. At someplace in your system the equipment must do analog. No 2 ways about it. Now think about what is the most important part of any system. The source. So get a good CD player and use the DACs in it to do what they do, right at the source. The DACs in cheap CD/DVD players are not very good and are really designed to convert the poorer quality DVD audio tracks to analog.

    Overlooking the source machine and material is a common mistake for people buying audio equipment. The most common mistake being the upgrade of speakers with a 100.00 CD/DVD player as a source. Wrong move.

    The most important 3 rules in audio. 1. SOURCE 2. SOURCE 3. SOURCE