Sony vs Pioneer ( TDA 1541 vs PCM 58)

[pecata35]

Hello, I found three CD players at a good price but I don't understand which one of these has a good layout and it's better inside.
I want to buy one and upgrade the capacitors. So can you tell which one would be the best and which one is the worst?

1. Sony CDP-750
2. SONY CDP-970
3. PIONEER PD-7300


It would be good if you could tell me about any Philips players in this class too, thanks!

 

[setup1]

Hello, I found three CD players at a good price but I don't understand which one of these has a good layout and it's better inside.
I want to buy one and upgrade the capacitors. So can you tell which one would be the best and which one is the worst?

1. Sony CDP-750
2. SONY CDP-970
3. PIONEER PD-7300


It would be good if you could tell me about any Philips players in this class too, thanks!

According to this website, both Sonys have the TDA1541. I don't have experience with the PCM58, but have compared the PCM54 vs. TDA1541 CDp and owned a PCM63 based DAC. Both Burr-Brown chips sound more dynamic to my ears than an SD/bitstream-type CDp. However. I'm partial to the Philips TDA1541 chip which IMHO, sound more organic!

Philips based TDA1541 CDps sold in the US include the Magnavox CDB650, 560, 465, 470/471/472/473 with a swing arm type CDM transport. I may have missed a few more models but those are what I remember...

Happy hunting and listening!

 

[pecata35]

According to this website, both Sonys have the TDA1541. I don't have experience with the PCM58, but have compared the PCM54 vs. TDA1541 CDp and owned a PCM63 based DAC. Both Burr-Brown chips sound more dynamic to my ears than an SD/bitstream-type CDp. However. I'm partial to the Philips TDA1541 chip which IMHO, sound more organic!

Philips based TDA1541 CDps sold in the US include the Magnavox CDB650, 560, 465, 470/471/472/473 with a swing arm type CDM transport. I may have missed a few more models but those are what I remember...

Happy hunting and listening!

Thank you for the reply. I double-checked it and the SONY CDP-970 is with PCM 58. About the PCM 63 I can't find cheap CD's with this DAC.

I'm in Europe. I found a Philips CD 460 and one electrician told me that is cheaply made and should get CD 204 or another with PCM58 dac because they are better.

But I read a lot of forums and the guys there said that pcm58 is better if it was new. And if you compare it to TDA 1541 S1 or S2 the TDA is good as or better but not in all CDs.
It depends on whether it was implemented well but I'm not an electrician and I can't understand diagrams or service manuals...

 

[setup1]

Thank you for the reply. I double-checked it and the SONY CDP-970 is with PCM 58.

Sorry about that, I misread it...my middle age eyesight saw the CDP910 specs.

About the PCM 63 I can't find cheap CD's with this DAC.

The Adcom GDA600 is a PCM63 DAC as I previously linked. Moderately priced and relatively easy to find here in the US.

I'm in Europe. I found a Philips CD 460 and one electrician told me that is cheaply made and should get CD 204 or another with PCM58 dac because they are better.

I don't know the CD460 but the Magnavox CDB465 I modified uses the same circuit board as the most expensive model from that era, the CDB650. The main difference is in bells and whistles - remote control, programmable tracks, etc. Here's a link to a discussion of the CDB465 vs. CDB650 here on AK. The CD460 might be related to this basic platform which was used extensively by 80s high end CD player manufacturers here and the UK (e.g. Cambridge Audio, Meridian, Mission, PS Audio, Sonographe, etc.)

The pro CD player models from Revox and Studer using the TDA1541 chip probably employed more sophisticated circuits. But those are hard to find and expensive because they've been sought after by Japanese aficionados for decades.

But I read a lot of forums and the guys there said that pcm58 is better if it was new. And if you compare it to TDA 1541 S1 or S2 the TDA is good as or better but not in all CDs.

I have an 'S1 and the sound is slightly cleaner than a regular TDA1541. But IME, after extensive listening and comparing CDPs and DACs, the analog section is what really makes a big difference in the sound. That's why I built my own nosTDA1541tube dac.

It depends on whether it was implemented well but I'm not an electrician and I can't understand diagrams or service manuals...

Hello, I found three CD players at a good price but I don't understand which one of these has a good layout and it's better inside.
I want to buy one and upgrade the capacitors. So can you tell which one would be the best and which one is the worst?

1. Sony CDP-750
2. SONY CDP-970
3. PIONEER PD-7300

You really have to learn how to read schematics if you want to indulge in upgrading CDPs. Once you have a grasp of how circuits work start your DIY journey with a cheaper (but still decent sounding) like a TDA1543 equipped Philips CDp.

 

[pecata35]

Sorry about that, I misread it...my middle age eyesight saw the CDP910 specs.


The Adcom GDA600 is a PCM63 DAC as I previously linked. Moderately priced and relatively easy to find here in the US.



I don't know the CD460 but the Magnavox CDB465 I modified uses the same circuit board as the most expensive model from that era, the CDB650. The main difference is in bells and whistles - remote control, programmable tracks, etc. Here's a link to a discussion of the CDB465 vs. CDB650 here on AK. The CD460 might be related to this basic platform which was used extensively by 80s high end CD player manufacturers here and the UK (e.g. Cambridge Audio, Meridian, Mission, PS Audio, Sonographe, etc.)

The pro CD player models from Revox and Studer using the TDA1541 chip probably employed more sophisticated circuits. But those are hard to find and expensive because they've been sought after by Japanese aficionados for decades.

I have an 'S1 and the sound is slightly cleaner than a regular TDA1541. But IME, after extensive listening and comparing CDPs and DACs, the analog section is what really makes a big difference in the sound. That's why I built my own nosTDA1541tube dac.



You really have to learn how to read schematics if you want to indulge in upgrading CDPs. Once you have a grasp of how circuits work start your DIY journey with a cheaper (but still decent sounding) like a TDA1543 equipped Philips CDp.

I'll read all the links you sent.

Have you compared the PCM58 to a TDA 1541?

And I won't upgrade it myself. The problem is that I haven't found a technician who can perform a lot of mods. Most just replace all the capacitors and that's all.
I saw that a lot of people put lamps and overclock the chip (if I understood correctly)

 

[setup1]

Have you compared the PCM58 to a TDA 1541?

Please see my first reply #2 above. I also had a CDp with a B-B PCM56,.

 

[SingleAction]

I'll read all the links you sent.

Have you compared the PCM58 to a TDA 1541?

And I won't upgrade it myself. The problem is that I haven't found a technician who can perform a lot of mods. Most just replace all the capacitors and that's all.
I saw that a lot of people put lamps and overclock the chip (if I understood correctly)

I don't understand this obsession with replacing all the capacitors on a moderately priced player that works and sounds fine. Have you asked one of the techs how much they would charge? If it's done properly, I bet it would cost almost as much of the player itself. I've had CD players since the middle 80s, and in general most don't last very long. Lasers go bad and are no longer available for the older models. I have a very large collection of CDs which I play every day. In the beginning I bought expensive players. Now I just buy thrift store, flea market etc. cheap players that cost new for hundreds of dollars. I have 9 at the moment, and if one breaks and I can't fix it, no major loss. I have major brands, Nakamichi, Denon, Pioneer etc. I have a very decent sound system and playing the same CD album on all of the players, if there's a difference it's negligible. Just some food for thought! BTW, my Nak player has a TDA1541, and the Denon player has PCM-56 DAC.

 

[SingleAction]

Hello, I found three CD players at a good price but I don't understand which one of these has a good layout and it's better inside.
I want to buy one and upgrade the capacitors. So can you tell which one would be the best and which one is the worst?

1. Sony CDP-750
2. SONY CDP-970
3. PIONEER PD-7300


It would be good if you could tell me about any Philips players in this class too, thanks!

Out of the three, I'd go for the Pioneer. Here's the specs and reviews. https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/pd-7300.shtml

 

[pecata35]

Please see my first reply #2 above. I also had a CDp with a B-B PCM56,.

Hi, I saw it it was about PCM54 and TDA 1541. They both are good but I have a Denon dcd 1100 and it's with pcm53 or 54 and I want something to upgrade.

 

[pecata35]

Out of the three, I'd go for the Pioneer. Here's the specs and reviews. https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/pioneer/pd-7300.shtml

I was thinking about the Pioneer too. I found one DP 5100 cheap but it has PCM56 and the PD 7300 is a better build so I didn't mention it here.

 

[SingleAction]

I was thinking about the Pioneer too. I found one DP 5100 cheap but it has PCM56 and the PD 7300 is a better build so I didn't mention it here.

It seems that the PD-7300 is pretty rare, I couldn't find a single one for sale.

 

[pecata35]

It seems that the PD-7300 is pretty rare, I couldn't find a single one for sale.

Yes. I found two. I called the guy of the first player and he said that the player opens and closes immediately. And you have to hold the Open button to insert the disc...so I will skip this one.

 

[SingleAction]

Yes. I found two. I called the guy of the first player and he said that the player opens and closes immediately. And you have to hold the Open button to insert the disc...so I will skip this one.

It sounds more like what a carousel cd player would do. LOL Not a good way to start out. I'm not familiar with that player, it could be several problems, the switch itself, belt or sensor if it has one. The problem is getting proprietary parts for it, other than a belt. Hopefully the other player is in better working condition.

 

[pecata35]

It sounds more like what a carousel cd player would do. LOL Not a good way to start out. I'm not familiar with that player, it could be several problems, the switch itself, belt or sensor if it has one. The problem is getting proprietary parts for it, other than a belt. Hopefully the other player is in better working condition.

I'll check the second one and if it has problems I might buy a Sony because they can be found cheap sometimes.

 

[Oasis8]

I don't understand this obsession with replacing all the capacitors on a moderately priced player that works and sounds fine. Have you asked one of the techs how much they would charge? If it's done properly, I bet it would cost almost as much of the player itself. I've had CD players since the middle 80s, and in general most don't last very long. Lasers go bad and are no longer available for the older models. I have a very large collection of CDs which I play every day. In the beginning I bought expensive players. Now I just buy thrift store, flea market etc. cheap players that cost new for hundreds of dollars. I have 9 at the moment, and if one breaks and I can't fix it, no major loss. I have major brands, Nakamichi, Denon, Pioneer etc. I have a very decent sound system and playing the same CD album on all of the players, if there's a difference it's negligible. Just some food for thought! BTW, my Nak player has a TDA1541, and the Denon player has PCM-56 DAC.

It's more often than not the associated electronics that cause read failure rather than the laser itself, at least with the Philips swing arm mechanisms.
Laser failures are usually because someone turns up the power to the laser in an attempt to get it to read, and that causes the laser to burn out.

 

[SingleAction]

It's more often than not the associated electronics that cause read failure rather than the laser itself, at least with the Philips swing arm mechanisms.
Laser failures are usually because someone turns up the power to the laser in an attempt to get it to read, and that causes the laser to burn out.

If someone turned up the power to try and get the laser to read the CDs, they didn't cause the laser to fail, it was already bad. So how come when that person can find a replacement laser and install it, the CD player works fine again with the same electronics untouched?

 

[pecata35]

I have purchased the Pioneer PD 7300. It has original remote control. And it sounds smooth and clear to me.

Compared to my other CD witch is good shape too. The Pioneer reads and plays CD's very well.

I have one CD which my father's Philips CD 204 couldn't read the 12th track and doesn't want to play. This Pioneer read it like it's new. And the Philips was checked and reserviced. Event it was recapped.

I'm happy with it. After some months I might do some mod to it.

 

[pecata35]

Here are some photos:

 

[YShtepsel]

I'm currently listening to DENON DCD-820 with 2xPCM56. A month ago, a friend brought me a Marantz CD-50 with TDA1541A (without the crown and the letters S). As for me, Marantz sounded more juicy, I wanted to keep listening. DENON sounds very sterile, as if the sounds are all separate, not my sound. And in general, Marantz does everything faster - reading the disc, fast forward, switching to the next track. It's a very pleasant device