CD player with nice analog sound.

[JoeESP9]

After my Marantz CD-63SE died I bought a Yamaha DVD S-1800. It has 4 DAC's.
Four Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit audio DAC's.

About two years ago I also acquired a Denon DVD-1920. It has two DAC's.
Dual Burr-Brown PCM-1738 192kHz/24-bit audio DACs.

Both players are CD/DVD/SACD capable with an HDMI output and have an extensive collection of analog (stereo, 5.1, S-Video, component video, composite video), and digital (coax. optical) outputs. As I only use them for playing SACD's they don't get much use.

All of my CD's have been ripped to FLAC. I generally play movies using a Sony UDP X-700 (4K player). It plays every type of consumer optical disc except for DVD-A and CDi (computer drives only). OTOH it only has coax and two HDMI out. However, one of the HDMI outs is audio only.

 

[bruno80918]

I enjoy my onkyo c-7030 cd player.
sounds analog like to my ears.
good price, works for me.
happy hunting

 

[OldJBL]

About two years ago I also acquired a Denon DVD-1920. It has two DAC's.
Dual Burr-Brown PCM-1738 192kHz/24-bit audio DACs.

I don't listen to CDs much but when I do I use a Denon DVD 2910. I like the sound from it but just don't like the hassle of swapping out discs when I have a digital library of music I access via PCs

 

[RunOutGroove]

I use a Denon 1930CI DVD/SCAD player running into a Schiit Modius DAC, I'm not sure how close it sounds to analog, but it sounds very good, particularly since the two of those things cost me something like $160. I find the sound to be detailed, smooth, non-fatiguing. The difference between output direct from the DVD player and though the DAC is subtle, but still very noticeable, if you're really paying attention. The direct output isn't as airy on the top and and things like cymbals don't have all of the overtones that they do through the DAC. There seems to be more space around all of the instruments and greater depth...

I'm really itching to try a higher end DAC in my system, like maybe that Denafrips Airies II thing that I've been hearing about. Even at a discount though it would be more than I've spent for any componant thus far and I wonder if I would really get the benefit of it.... particaurly since it would be going into my Marantz 2270, which sounds great to me, but maybe isn't the most detailed amp and might not be capable of showing of the finer differences of DAC... which can be pretty subtle indeed.

 

[twiiii]

Get some Kunzel Conducted Telarc CD's or Sheffield CD reissues that sound like the original analog direct to disc LP's and go shopping. Its not the CD player fault that sound is so different 90% of the time. Its the style that the producers and recording and mastering engineers are striving for when the digital age came along. Its all about closer miking, wanting more clarity, compress the dynamics to make the overall sound louder for streaming and radio broadcasts with PoP music. Even classical Music and Jazz features to much knob twiddling now days. Yes, there were tricks made in the age of analog, but not even close in comparison to todays recordings. They can easily remove and insert small bits of music when the soloist plays a wrong note. They have units that will correct pitch when and where needed. Digital allows them to correct just one track and insert a replacement of one track to remove that mistake. I was watching a recording session to day and the director wanted the percussion play to be ahead of the his baton beat to make up for the time the sound of the drum being behind the soloist. Thats just wrong. You play together and let the tech guys place the mics to correct for that. Its things like that is why we have multi-channel mono recordings later mixed into stereo. The idea should be to move the percussionist nearer to the soloist to better work together. Thats why when you see a noted jazz artist singing with an orchestra their pianist and trap-set drummer are all very close together with the orchestra following along in the back ground. The upright bass player maybe included, too.

 

[mfrench]

Kavi Alexander of Water Lily Acoustics of Santa Barbara Ca, and his analog rig.
He used to master exclusively to analog, but, has changed his ways to master to high-resolution digital, to keep up with the times, digital era.
What you can barely see are a pair of Pearl long rectangular capsule figures-of-eight large diaphragm tube mics, and Tim Paravancini EAR mic tube preamps.







Kavi: Technology should always be in the service of art. For me, there is no other approach.

 

[Natasha Bell]

Well... there is really no such thing (CD players with analog sound). This being said, however, you can modify the sound through an external DAC. Some DACs do produce a somewhat "analog", warm sound. This is also why I sold my Rotel CD14 two years ago... it sounded too high-strung and a bit harsh to me; very "clinical". I purchased a Marantz SACD player on recommendation of a friend. It sounds significantly warmer. This is a pleasing sound for me as well.

 

[GChief]

^^^
Doing that now with the Pioneer and DAC in my sig. This is a well done, live set-up in studio, to tape.

Edit: and only one cover song.

 

[Natasha Bell]

^^^
Doing that now with the Pioneer and DAC in my sig. This is a well done, live set-up in studio, to tape.

Edit: and only one cover song.

View attachment 3101400

I am actually having issues with my Pioneer Elite PD59 and the Schiit Modi3+ DAC. Degradation of the Pioneer's electronics (its 31 years old now) is playing a part I believe on the diminishing sound quality. I am even feeding the DAC with an optical link, but that isn't helping either.

 

[GChief]

I am actually having issues with my Pioneer Elite PD59 and the Schiit Modi3+ DAC. Degradation of the Pioneer's electronics (its 31 years old now) is playing a part I believe on the diminishing sound quality. I am even feeding the DAC with an optical link, but that isn't helping either.

That sux!!

This sounds great. This CD sounds like what it is. I have been on the couch in a studio for a lot of these type recordings... it sound like I am on the couch. Plus I have seen these guys in great small rooms, this is what it sounds like.

Conclusion, my Pioneer is still hanging on, fingers crossed.

 

[Natasha Bell]

That sux!!

This sounds great. This CD sounds like what it is. I have been on the couch in a studio for a lot of these type recordings... it sound like I am on the couch. Plus I have seen these guys in great small rooms, this is what it sounds like.

Conclusion, my Pioneer is still hanging on, fingers crossed.

I know this gentleman in Wyoming, Jon Morris, who repairs vintage equipment. Although he is specialized on the repair and upgrade of Adcom products, he has also worked on other things for me. I am going to see if he cannot rebuild it for me. It might be as simple as it needs to be fully cleaned and have some old capacitors and resistors replaced.

Fingers Crossed... and for your Pioneer as well. There is no way I am going to sell the old PD59 though... such a piece of history!!

 

[GChief]

I know this gentleman in Wyoming, Jon Morris, who repairs vintage equipment. Although he is specialized on the repair and upgrade of Adcom products, he has also worked on other things for me. I am going to see if he cannot rebuild it for me. It might be as simple as it needs to be fully cleaned and have some old capacitors and resistors replaced.

Fingers Crossed... and for your Pioneer as well. There is no way I am going to sell the old PD59 though... such a piece of history!!

In all honesty our cheap newer Sony BRP sounds just as good as a transport. This is mostly for SACDs.

 

[Natasha Bell]

In all honesty our cheap newer Sony BRP sounds just as good as a transport. This is mostly for SACDs.

I have a Marantz SA8005 SACD player which is absolutely amazing. There is something to be said for the old pioneer though - it's a classic. It also reads the discs 3 or 4 times faster than the Marantz. I cannot imagine that it is the Modi DAC that is having the issues as it is now. The information has to get to the DAC. The transport in the pioneer, the "stable platter" type, I really love.

 

[Cactus Bob]

I favor Sony ES players for their great sound & reliability, I have a few with a ESD-650 in system one that sounds outstanding.

 

[El Rubio]

LOL, i can almost hear a symphony at the sight of some asses. Makes me wonder if sgt Schultz was listening to that Troglodyte song.
I find it difficult to identify “ warm sound”. That likely means different things to different people. My first CD player was the cheapest one at the store circa 1983ish. I thought it sounded great compared to my records. I went through a couple of other players and in the late 80’s bought a JVC XL-V211. It was by no means high end even then. I still have it and I find no issues with anything I play on it. I have some CD’s that don’t sound all that good, but it isn’t because of the player. Much of my CD collection is classic rock. I have 4 Beatles CD’s that sound way too loud and harsh. Then I have a Doors CD that sounds like I think it should. There is no player out there that will add “warmth” to those Beatles discs.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

LOL, i can almost hear a symphony at the sight of some asses. Makes me wonder if sgt Schultz was listening to that Troglodyte song.
I find it difficult to identify “ warm sound”. That likely means different things to different people. My first CD player was the cheapest one at the store circa 1983ish. I thought it sounded great compared to my records. I went through a couple of other players and in the late 80’s bought a JVC XL-V211. It was by no means high end even then. I still have it and I find no issues with anything I play on it. I have some CD’s that don’t sound all that good, but it isn’t because of the player. Much of my CD collection is classic rock. I have 4 Beatles CD’s that sound way too loud and harsh. Then I have a Doors CD that sounds like I think it should. There is no player out there that will add “warmth” to those Beatles discs.

 

[Pondoro]

I find it difficult to identify “ warm sound”. That likely means different things to different people.

I find that if someone identifies a DAC as "warm" someone else usually says, "It has coloration!!!" I do hear differences in DAC's, but I am almost always happy with any DAC except the $0.50 ones that are built into computers and cheap DVD players. So I am not a DAC "aficionado." I simply never call a DAC that I like warm, ever.

 

[twiiii]

I noticed today going through Luxman's product line that they make a CD player with tubes. That may be just the thing you need. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I am sure there are some others out there, too. But at least the Luxman will only cost you one arm instead of two and both legs.