CD Players

[Sgt Shultz]

I don't want to get into another version of cable wars here but I've had Panasonic, Technics, Onkyo, Sony, and Pioneer CD players and they are indistinguishable from each other for me. It's just my opinion, but they are so cheap nowadays used that I would not consider rehabbing one. (I made an exception for one Panasonic combo DVD/CD/VHS tape unit because I wanted to play archived videotapes.)

DACs too are supposed to sound the same. Most modern ones even use one of the same 2 lines of mass market ICs. I guess some feel they can hear differences but whatever they are if any, they are inaudible to me. More power to you if you can hear between those zeroes and ones...

The only digital sources that are noticeably inferior to my ears are Bluetooth and mobile phone sources. I suspect preamps are the problem with both of those.

I thought the same when purchasing decks in the $100 - $380 range, it wasn't until I stepped up to these $1000 machines I heard a HUGE difference. So much so I went from CD's meh and not really buying any to OK now I see a point in the medium and started buying them.

 

[stereofanboy]

I have a silver Yamaha DVD player with an orange display. It's thin, only a couple of inches tall, so it doesn't look at home size wise among vintage gear, but the color is fine.

I did a blind listening test of four players once with a buddy. The most expensive was one of those wooden sides Sony ES single cd players and the cheapest was an old Soundesign single cd player.

We agreed on first and last place while inverting our choices for second and third. We also agreed that the difference between first and last was small enough that we probably wouldn't have noticed it in a non back to back test.

 

[Late Boomer]

I see that old CD players have 1980s charm, but many of them resolve only 13 or 14 bits unless it is not an expensive model with double or triple DACs and averaging. 1-bit DAC started a revolution in the late 1980s, delivering full 16 bits on a cheap. I guess, many people cannot stomach that cheap and mass produced can be better than expensive and hand-crafted. Hence the proliferation of "audiophile" brands that assemble laser-cut resistors into hypnotizing patterns and dress circuit boards with polished aluminum and expensive wood.

I personally don't care for any CD player made in 1980s... Unless it has vertical loading with a transparent window

 

[pauldrewry]

Why spend $ on a player, when you can find DVD player for cheap - make sure it has digital output. Connect a nice DAC, you'll have a setup that is far better most CD players.

 

[YY1]

Any DVD or blue ray player I've used for CD's has been a pretty sucky interface experience.

CD audio is basically a side benefit and the controls are not really set up for it.

They also seem slow to respond to a button press, and have a long seek time.

I've tried three, so not extensive research by any means....but three strikes nonetheless.

 

[C Hart]

Agree there is too much lag and too few buttons on DVD units. But they are definitely cheap and effective.

 

[qdrone]

My Pioneer cd player, PD 5030 (1987), is giving me grief. It frequently will not respond once I push any button, and the laser doesn't always want to read (acting like it's dirty). So I decided over the weekend to do some shopping on Ebay. The selection is bewildering, even in the price range I'm considering of $300 or less.







I decided to buy an inexpensive Technics (and an extended service warranty) with the hope it would last long enough for me to have my Pioneer serviced. I've found a local service tech who is willing to work on it, but I wonder if I'll be throwing my money away. I don't mind paying for good work but I don't want to be stupid either.







What are your thoughts? Should I cut my losses and go with a higher-end vintage Yamaha (such as the Natural Sound line) or do you think once I invest $150 in the Pioneer I'll be good to go again? Here's the thing: I like the display on my Pioneer with the macro letters in orange on the black background. So that's a big consideration for me. Looking for opinions and ideas.

As others have pointed out,look for a another Pioneer PD 5030 cd player that you covet, make sure laser light works and buy it on the cheap for back up canabilization.

I have two Modwright Sony players, I have invested 1000's in and I have factory laser mechanisms for both if the laser ever goes out.

 

[Late Boomer]

Why spend $ on a player, when you can find DVD player for cheap - make sure it has digital output. Connect a nice DAC, you'll have a setup that is far better most CD players.

My DVD player does not allow creating a custom playlist. My BD player allows creating a playlist, but I need to use a remote and a TV menu. Can they learn from portable CD players how it is done, on which I can program a playlist using just a couple of buttons out of, like, half a dozen buttons altogether.

But I agree, audio quality-wise, a DVD player is no different or even better, can have a better DAC, can play hi-res audio too.

 

[pauldrewry]

All I need is play, stop for the most part, but my Panasonic DVD player also throws some effects I never use, like simulating a hall or live experience. Paid $25 used and still going strong 10 years later.

 

[toddalin]

Are you really into music? Any Oppo that ends in "5" (i.e., 95, 105, 205) is a safe bet at high end if you can still find one at a reasonable price. Used to be 95s were ~$300 when I got mine used.

 

[Gregg 73]

I'll recommend looking for a Symphonic CD-3000a. You can normally find them relatively cheap on eBay and Mercari. Has the PCM-56 DAC in it. I know that Symphonic isn't highly regarded but this is a decent player. I added the wood sides and new feet on it.

 

[Bradbrews]

I thought the same when purchasing decks in the $100 - $380 range, it wasn't until I stepped up to these $1000 machines I heard a HUGE difference. So much so I went from CD's meh and not really buying any to OK now I see a point in the medium and started buying them.

I agree with this. When I first listened to my Sony 777’s ( have a SCD-777ES and an XA777ES) the difference was not subtle!
I suspect the real difference is coming from the no expense spared analog amp that brings the output of the DAC up to line level. There’s just no way that the mass market players compete with them- the analog output stages that is.
I also appreciate the tactile feel of these old beasts.

 

[YY1]

Did the OP say what the budget was?

I believe I'm the low man on the pole at $30.

I still see 80's and 90's players at thrifts pretty regularly although 60-70% are 5/6 disc changers.

 

[Bradbrews]

The system in my living room uses an $8 jvc player from the Salvation Army. There my requirements are must have digital output and a display that shows as much information as possible. Actual buttons that control the player vs a remote also mandatory, and not just play and pause. However it doesn’t sound as good as the 777’s…

 

[Sgt Shultz]

The system in my living room uses an $8 jvc player from the Salvation Army. There my requirements are must have digital output and a display that shows as much information as possible. Actual buttons that control the player vs a remote also mandatory, and not just play and pause. However it doesn’t sound as good as the 777’s…

The 777ES is great, but I give a slight edge to the other two single single players I posted, I especially like the 900V. All three decks have a more analog sound than other decks I've tried, even other highly regarded other Sony decks.

It was the purchase of a Sony DVP NS500V from Audio Advisor on a review where it was favorably compared with the $1500 Rega Planet that convinced me CD's just weren't my cup of tea, it sucked ass, it wasn't cheap.

They were selling the 900V at the time for $1000 but I just wasn't going to keep throwing away money. When I saw one on eBay for $80 I decided to give CD's one more chance, I now have two 900V's and the others above.

 

[Bushikan]

Well, I’m of the belief (from my own hard-won experience) that EVERY CDP that’s ever been in my system has sounded very, very different. (But my Klipschorns take no prisoners.) This goes for those from Philips (1), Oppo (3), Sony (4), McIntosh (3), and Marantz (2) in the $100 to $6000 range. And it hasn’t always been the most expensive player that, overall, was the most preferable. Currently, I have a $500 Oppo professional UDP.

I understand that the OP is fond of the Pioneer; and I think he should attempt either to repair or replace it. I may be wrong (all CDPs might very well sound exactly the same to him on his system). But I doubt that another model will suffice, either because of SQ and/or aesthetics. Like that Pioneer? Stick with it. Dance with the one that brung ya.

 

[Natasha Bell]

My Pioneer cd player, PD 5030 (1987), is giving me grief. It frequently will not respond once I push any button, and the laser doesn't always want to read (acting like it's dirty). So I decided over the weekend to do some shopping on Ebay. The selection is bewildering, even in the price range I'm considering of $300 or less.

I decided to buy an inexpensive Technics (and an extended service warranty) with the hope it would last long enough for me to have my Pioneer serviced. I've found a local service tech who is willing to work on it, but I wonder if I'll be throwing my money away. I don't mind paying for good work but I don't want to be stupid either.

What are your thoughts? Should I cut my losses and go with a higher-end vintage Yamaha (such as the Natural Sound line) or do you think once I invest $150 in the Pioneer I'll be good to go again? Here's the thing: I like the display on my Pioneer with the macro letters in orange on the black background. So that's a big consideration for me. Looking for opinions and ideas.

There are actually many excellent, but more importantly CURRENT CD-players. These would have brand new components, as well as up-to-date current DACs. If you go to retailers such as Crutchfield, for example, you can get them for about $300 and not have to worry about 35 year old components flaking-out. If you must have a "vintage" unit I can only recommend the Pioneer Elite players with the "stable platter" mechanism. They are phenomenal.

 

[C Hart]

@YY1 mine was $25 but the remote didn't work so I had to buy a used one for $5. So we are even at the low totem.

EDIT: Premature banana dancing - @Bradbrews hit the nadir with his $8 thrift unit.

I do miss a decent display and buttons.

 

[DB-7]

I don't know what formats his original cd player would read, but I remember my 1986 Sansui cd player would not read or play some formats.
A big plus and a good reason for going for a newer cd or DVD player is the wide range of readable formats.
MP3/WMA/LPCM/FLAC

 

[hopeless]

I agree with this. When I first listened to my Sony 777’s ( have a SCD-777ES and an XA777ES) the difference was not subtle!
I suspect the real difference is coming from the no expense spared analog amp that brings the output of the DAC up to line level. There’s just no way that the mass market players compete with them- the analog output stages that is.
I also appreciate the tactile feel of these old beasts.

Bass. These monsters actually make good bass. And clear and open highs. I've had a few players over the years from various manufacturers. My Yamaha is by far the best, but was $1500 new with Burr-Browns and a power supply and output section that is just incredible.