Two moderate upgrades...whole lot of difference!

[wizargoz]

I recently upgraded my amp and CD player. I had an Onkyo A-9050 amp with a Yamaha CD-C600, which I replaced with a Peachtree Audio Nova Amp, and Denon DCD-800NE CD/MP3 player. The difference was amazing- my Polks woke up from their slumber and started to sing. And though it's a cliche, I heard new music from my old music sources, as if hearing it for the first time. MP3's sound like CD's, CD's sound like LP's, and it all sounds great.
For a little over a grand, I get to discover my music all over again.

 

[olson_jr]

Do you know you posted this in the 'AK New Format' area?

@wizargoz

 

[Grenadeslio]

Decades of cheap CD players in my house kept me from enjoying what the media had to offer. I didn't realize how much difference there could be due to listening to the experts. My first player wasn't cheap at $1000 in 1991, but it was a laser disc player that played all sizes of digital disc media. For music it was a bust, one of my worst audio purchases.

Yrs later on the advice of the many great reviews I purchased a new Sony DVP NS500V, it was favorably compared with the Rega Planet so........

Again I wasn't impressed, even with it's playback of SACD so I reserved myself to thinking digital just wasn't for me. Purchased other less expensive decks for my kids along the way and they just confirmed my decision further.

Then about four yrs ago I see the Sony I was eyeing when I purchased the 500V, the DVP NS900V, when new this deck was also $1000, but now used at $80, I figured at that price what did I have to lose?

Well I'm here to say my eyes were opened wide, this deck had my toes tapping. Very analog presentation, no it won't replace my turntable but I now buy CD's again lol.

As for amplification, I noticed another step up in digital playback when I installed my Belles amp into the living rm system, synergy really is the key. The Kenny in there really is a nice amp, but switching it to preamp duty driving the Belles really warmed up the presentation.

 

[superdog]

Any other recommendations on a good used cd player.I too have been using for the most part mediocre cd players.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Any other recommendations on a good used cd player.I too have been using for the most part mediocre cd players.

Sometimes a mediocre cdp with a new chip will sound nice. I put an OPA2228 in place of the RN5532 in a Sony CDP-C705 and it sounds as good as the Rega Planet. Before the swap it was meh. On the schematic this is the LPF (low pass filter) chip for each channel that was changed. There are other chips that can be used, too. But the highly regarded 4558 and 5532 chips from the middle of last century just don't sound as good as folks say they do. Newer is much better.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Any other recommendations on a good used cd player.I too have been using for the most part mediocre cd players.

Sony DVP NS900V, I have three, all are black, paid $80 each, my favorite other than the color, still want one in silver, original MSRP $1000


Sony DVP NS999ES, also $80, original MSRP $1000


Sony DVP CX777ES, $63, needed belts, $12, original MSRP $1500


All great decks, any of which I could live with as my only deck.

 

[Bodyblue]

CD's sound like LP'

Good Lord, I hope not.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Good Lord, I hope not.

Exactly, my LP's soar where my CD's fly, the two will never be the same.

 

[Roadrash]

Sony DVP NS900V, I have three, all are black, paid $80 each, my favorite other than the color, still want one in silver, original MSRP $1000
View attachment 1317269

Sony DVP NS999ES, also $80, original MSRP $1000
View attachment 1317265

Sony DVP CX777ES, $63, needed belts, $12, original MSRP $1500
View attachment 1317264

All great decks, any of which I could live with as my only deck.

I have a legitimate question. Do you think the DVP NS 900V would outperform an Onkyo C-7030? My curiosity is definitely piqued, especially at that price point. I am a big fan of the 7030, but sometimes wonder if it's doing justice to the Kenwood L series gear that it's feeding. Once again, I'm just asking for an opinion here and appreciate any knowledge I can gain.

 

[Grenadeslio]

I have a legitimate question. Do you think the DVP NS 900V would outperform an Onkyo C-7030? My curiosity is definitely piqued, especially at that price point. I am a big fan of the 7030, but sometimes wonder if it's doing justice to the Kenwood L series gear that it's feeding. Once again, I'm just asking for an opinion here and appreciate any knowledge I can gain.

No experience with the Onkyo in question, but at the Sony's price what's to lose? If it's not to your liking it's easy enough to pass it on. Sony thought enough about the SQ to allow shutting off the units display, and it's heavy.

To give you an idea of it's SQ, yrs ago I purchased a Sony DVP NS500V new based on the reviews comparing it favorably to the Rega Planet, a $1500 machine of the day. I believe I paid $279 from Audio Advisor, I wasn't impressed. They also had the 900V but at $1000 it was just more than I wanted to spend.

I left CD's off my media list for many yrs, only purchasing a couple dozen including SACD until acquiring my first 900V, now I seek them out. They'll never replace my LP's but I actually enjoy listening to them, not just as background music anymore.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Any other recommendations on a good used cd player.I too have been using for the most part mediocre cd players.

Panasonic DVD-H1000 (shown) and DVD-H2000 (champagne face, direct audio switch added). The H1000 can be had for well under $100. Check out the beefy analog section with dual PCM-1710 (IIRC) chips. Check out the cast metal chassis. Sound compares favorably but does not beat my ex-Sony CDP-XA7ES which is saying alot.

 

[Roadrash]

No experience with the Onkyo in question, but at the Sony's price what's to lose? If it's not to your liking it's easy enough to pass it on. Sony thought enough about the SQ to allow shutting off the units display, and it's heavy.

The 999ES looks pretty interesting too, thanks for your input. I might just need to go shopping.

 

[Grenadeslio]

The 999ES looks pretty interesting too, thanks for your input. I might just need to go shopping.

The 999ES is an awesome machine that's regularly available in silver and it looks great with my vintage silver.

A little patience will be required to meet my prices, they regularly sell for a bit more, but I still see them under $100 often enough. The carousel ES unit will be a bit harder to find at that price, I really scored on that one.

 

[Roadrash]

The 999ES is an awesome machine that's regularly available in silver and it looks great with my vintage silver.

A little patience will be required to meet my prices, they regularly sell for a bit more, but I still see them under $100 often enough. The carousel ES unit will be a bit harder to find at that price, I really scored on that one.

Just checked ebay, and there's a couple of nice examples of both machines at palatable prices with remotes and the black matches the battleship gray and black Kenwood gear just fine.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Just checked ebay, and there's a couple of nice examples of both machines at palatable prices with remotes and the black matches the battleship gray and black Kenwood gear just fine.

If any without remotes at better prices, not to worry most Sony DVD remotes are interchangeable it seems. I use the same remote (I have three) for all of my units.

 

[ultumax]

Sony DVP NS900V, I have three, all are black, paid $80 each, my favorite other than the color, still want one in silver, original MSRP $1000
View attachment 1317269

Sony DVP NS999ES, also $80, original MSRP $1000
View attachment 1317265

Sony DVP CX777ES, $63, needed belts, $12, original MSRP $1500
View attachment 1317264

All great decks, any of which I could live with as my only deck.

Man those are nice juggernauts of the receiver world they look like a stereo amp the size of a flagship or Mid range surround receiver . Sound quality must be off the charts and amazing deals you found . I don’t know how to repair receiver what are belts inside ?
Finding a quality stereo receiver made today costs a fortune .

 

[Grenadeslio]

Man those are nice juggernauts of the receiver world they look like a stereo amp the size of a flagship or Mid range surround receiver . Sound quality must be off the charts and amazing deals you found . I don’t know how to repair receiver what are belts inside ?
Finding a quality stereo receiver made today costs a fortune .

Those are not receivers, they're disc players lol.