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Playstation 1.

S

shane2468

Active Member
Soon will be buying a Playstation 1 (SCPH 1002) to use as CD player.

I'm aware some people like the PS1 as a CD player.

Is the PS1 forgiving with recordings? Or is it a very revealing CD player?

Regards.
 
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I think stereophile had a write up on it used as cd player - it got goods remarks about how well it stood up?...do a playstation 1 reviews google search....
 
I'm not a gamer but picked up an early Playstation to use as a cd player. From what I hear it is the first models that had the enhanced audio connections.
I think it sounds fine but hate the hassle of using the control and a TV screen to select tracks, start, pause, etc. More clutter than I like.
 
I have an scph 9001 and would not consider it for sound at all... the ground is the same for the video signal and at least my 20" philips TV puts out all sorts of noise. Bear in mind, mine does not have "enhanced audio connectors". Just the AV and serial. As mentioned, you will need a TV and controller.

If you want a game console for a cd player I would recommend the SegaCD. It was pretty cool. I had the gen2 megadrive to go with it, back in the day. Some of my favourite video game soundtracks on that system (sonicCD, fifa94) I have ripped the music from those games. cool 90s stuff. Especially sonicCD. fifa soundtrack is a trip. They really put a lot of work into the soundtracks for those games because they were all essentially megadrive games with megadrive graphics, so the only premium for the console was to put in a cool soundtrack.

Playstations are great machines, I love Spyro (the first one) and CTR. IMO, Spyro The Dragon is the best video game ever produced.
 
I think the Playstation 1 being used as a CD player has been discussed on here about as many times as the Pioneer HPM-100's or the JBL L100's. :D Do a search here on AK and google it, as well, and you'll find a wealth of information on the "upgrades". I have 3 of the PS1's in the attic and they have yet to be able to replace my stand alone CD players. But, now my CD players get less use since all of my CD's are on a music server.
 
PS1 is OK for what you pay for it. It's no TOTL CD player, that's for sure. I have one and I use it as a "secondary" player. It "will" smooth out your high end--but many feel it does that because it rolls off both the "highs" (so there is LESS detail there!), and the "lows" (so don't expect nice tight, deep, well articulated bass).

This player is best suited for general background listening and is "most" definitely not my player of choice. Both the HK and the Joida below are far better players when it comes to representing the full sound spectrum. The HK can get a little harsh if the recording is problematic, but the Jolida tends to roll with whatever you put into it. Then again, that new Jolida is TOTL for them and has four tubes in it!

I do use my PS1 in my home office while I'm working and it does an adequate job there. I'm still trying to figure out "exactly" what the Stereophile reviewer was "hearing". lol (And yes I have the original 1001 with the RCA L/R analog outputs).

As mentioned above there are quite a few threads about this on AK and the PS1 has no shortage of fans here. My own views are, of course subjective, and may go against the grain. But that's what I hear.

cnh2
 
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The PS1 is a video game console with video game parts - nothing more. They origen of the "PS1 audiophile version" hype can be found if googled. Basically it was just that - a hype. And like any hype it snowballed until the so=called "audiophiles" (or audiofools) thought that just because it had gold plated RCA audio connectors it must sound better. They hyped it, they believed it, and the sheep followed. Honestly - it's a game console - nothing more. But just try it. Hook it up and compare it to any standalone CD player. Let your ears be the judge.

Jimmy
 
I'm sure it sounds ok, many cd players do, but I wouldn't use one. A: It looks dumb, B: Controlling it is a PITA.
 
I picked one up a goodwill for $10 and it compares well to midfi cd players.I don't have any high end cd players to compare it to but I probably couldn't tell the difference anyway
 
89grand said:
I'm sure it sounds ok, many cd players do, but I wouldn't use one. A: It looks dumb, B: Controlling it is a PITA.
Click to expand...

Workaround: most any dvd controller for the PS 2 will work. The receiver plugs into a controller port, and the remote I have works from across my office. They're cheap on the auction site.

s.
 
I picked up one at GW with both controllers for $15 about a month ago. It appeared to have received very little use and cleaned up like new. I hooked it up via the RCA outs in the back with some decent quality interconnects. I echo the views here. It sounds good, but not mindblowing. To me, I find the soundstage is narrower, the highs are rounded off and the lows are good, but not great when compared with units I've demoed. It does good in midrange presence, and sounds nice when playing folk or other acoustic music. However, it can't compare with a good CD or DVD player hooked up via a Toslink cable routing a full digital signal to your receiver.

It's nice to play around with and I do use it occasionally, but most of my digitally based music is also on a server and controlled via my PC.
 
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I've been using a the 1001 for a couple years. Beats my early Luxman and Magnavox players. DIYAudio has a long thread with mods. I did the basics and painted it black and silver. It was a fun project. I don't listen to CDs much but it sounds good to me. I also like the small size.
 

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Mine sounds good- better than the older stand alones I tried. Is there better? Absolutely. Is there better for the price? I haven't seen any.
 
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