Using a BluRay player for playing CDs? Any experiences?

[lightcapture]

I assembled a little budget system in a spare room.
I got impatient searching for a single disc CD player in good condition w/ remote that ticked all the boxes for me.

I purchased a Panasonic DMP-BD60 BluRay player with remote at a 2nd hand store for $9 to use as a stop gap player until I find an appropriate CDP.
Not having a CD player for 15 years I didn't know what to expect or for comparison. It sounded average, sounding good w/ some CDs and lackluster with others.
I then connected it with a silver interconnect and it sounds really good.

Now I'm considering using it as a transport and pick up a $80-100 used DAC.
What do you say? Keep looking for a vintage-ish CDP or get a DAC? Anyone with personal experiences?
_______

For reference my little has system:
Thorens TD203 turntable w/ Sumiko original Blue Point cartridge
Yamaha CX-600U preamp
Arcam Alpha 8 power amp
Dynadio Emit M10 monitor speakers

Also:
iFi Zen Blue Air bluetooth receiver for streaming from phone
Rotel RT-940ax fm/am tuner

 

[LHorn]

I use a Panasonic DMPBDT220 for years for playing CD's. I also had a thumbdrive with all my music plugged into it as well and it works and sounds great. I still use it for CD's but I recently bought a new LG C5 TV so I plug my thumbdrive into it and then it goes optical to a Schitt Modi 5 and on to my R-117 receiver.

I'm sure the Modi has a far better DAC than the old BluRay...but I dont play CD's much anymore anyway. I wouldn't know how to use it as a transport then to the Modi without it first going through the BluRay's DAC though.

 

[scootsity5]

I assembled a little budget system in a spare room.
I got impatient searching for a single disc CD player in good condition w/ remote that ticked all the boxes for me.

I purchased a Panasonic DMP-BD60 BluRay player with remote at a 2nd hand store for $9 to use as a stop gap player until I find an appropriate CDP.
Not having a CD player for 15 years I didn't know what to expect or for comparison. It sounded average, sounding good w/ some CDs and lackluster with others.
I then connected it with a economical silver interconnect and it sounds really good.

Now I'm considering using it as a transport and pick up a $80-100 used DAC.
What do you say? Keep looking for a vintage-ish CDP or get a DAC? Anyone with personal experiences?
_______

For reference my little has system:
Thorens TD203 turntable w/ Sumiko original Blue Point cartridge
Yamaha CX-600U preamp
Arcam Alpha 8 power amp
Dynadio Emit M10 monitor speakers

Also:
iFi Zen Blue Air bluetooth receiver for streaming from phone
Rotel RT-940ax fm/am tuner

Digital audio tends to kinda work or not (broadly speaking).

The average to lackluster sound more likely is the result of the meh internal DAC and the subsequent analog stage in the bluray player.

An good external DAC would probably be a substantial upgrade. I really like Topping DACs, but SMSL is no slouch. Both are quite affordable, especially used. Check audio science reviews for very good, objective reviews. Many used units are out there, and both companies (and others) have made units with no audible artifacts for several years.

 

[lightcapture]

I use a Panasonic DMPBDT220 for years for playing CD's. I also had a thumbdrive with all my music plugged into it as well and it works and sounds great. I still use it for CD's but I recently bought a new LG C5 TV so I plug my thumbdrive into it and then it goes optical to a Schitt Modi 5 and on to my R-117 receiver.

I'm sure the Modi has a far better DAC than the old BluRay...but I dont play CD's much anymore anyway. I wouldn't know how to use it as a transport then to the Modi without it first going through the BluRay's DAC though.

The BDP has optical out to I can use it as a transport. I'm considering the Schiit Modi 5. What are your impressions of it?

 

[lightcapture]

The average to lackluster sound more likely is the result of the meh internal DAC and the subsequent analog stage in the bluray player.
An good external DAC would probably be a substantial upgrade. I really like Topping DACs,

My initial thoughts were that the internal DAC was average, and the analogue output chip was more the contributing factor. But when I switched to a silver interconnect things really came alive. It took me back. I am thinking of a preowned Schiit DAC, but Topping may be a good option for less.

 

[LHorn]

The BDP has optical out to I can use it as a transport. I'm considering the Schiit Modi 5. What are your impressions of it?

Oh OK...I was thinking any outputs of the BDP would pass through its internal DAC first.

I needed the Modi to connect my TV to my vintage receiver. Since the new TV has no RCA outs like my old plasma did I used the TV's optical out to the Modi then RCA to the receiver. I left the BluRay connected to the receiver with the RCA cables.

This is the first and only DAC I've owned so I'm probably not the one to evaluate it. With my old ears I hear no difference in sound from the BluRay, but there probably is. I know they shipped it fast...I'm talking within a few hours of ordering I got the shipped email. I did get it with the 12v wall adapter too. I've heard good things about the Topping DAC's too.

 

[StimpyWan]

I use a Sony UBP-X1100ES Blu-Ray player for audio CD's and movies, without issue. A Blu-Ray disc has smaller pits and lands than a standard CD, so if a player can read the movie disc, it should do equally well with an audio CD. I also output a digital signal to an external DAC. It works fine. No reason it won't for others. A Schiit fan as well, as I own 4 different Schiit DACs, for various systems.

Good luck.

 

[lightcapture]

I use a Sony UBP-X1100ES Blu-Ray player for audio CD's and movies, without issue. A Blu-Ray disc has smaller pits and lands than a standard CD, so if a player can read the movie disc, it should do equally well with an audio CD. I also output a digital signal to an external DAC. It works fine. No reason it won't for others. A Schiit fan as well, as I own 4 different Schiit DACs, for various systems.

Good luck.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My BDP is from 2009. I could probably benefit from a DAC upgrade. I'm guessing the Schiit Modi 5 may be an improvement.

 

[StimpyWan]

Thanks for sharing your experience. My BDP is from 2009. I could probably benefit from a DAC upgrade. I'm guessing the Schiit Modi 5 may be an improvement.

I own a Schiit Bifrost Multibit DAC and a Schiit Mimir Mesh DAC. The Bifrost is warmer and bassier in tone, more relaxed sounding. But, the Mesh based Mimir is very exciting, with great drive and low level detail. If you want warmer, Modi Multibit DACs aren't hard to find. If excitement, the Modi 5 Mesh DAC would be a nice choice. None of these are losers, all great regardless of sound preferences.

 

[dr*audio]

I tried this with my older Sony blueray player with RCA audio out and I compared the sound to the same CD played on my Onkyo Integra CD player and the Blueray didn't sound as good. I haven't tried this with my newer Sony Blueray player with HDMI output (running through an HDMI to Audio converter.) I realize that with this setup the converter quality governs the sound quality.

 

[Bill Ferris]

FWIW, I`ve had very good experiences with my 3 different BR/DVD/SACD/CD Universal players playing my CDs compared to my original HQ Mc. MCD-7007 CD player purchased new in 1986 CD player.
Especially my first BR/DVD player which was a Sony in 2009 which allowed me to be able to start to purchase and play SACDs of which I started purchasing being able to analog outputted compare to the standard CD version releases that I had already started purchasing in the eighties as I converted over to digital optical media.

I was late to look into purchasing and using an external DAC until 2015, so all my initial SQ comparing the SQ between my Mc. and the Sony was only their internal DAC`s SQ, and the Sony Universal BR/DVD player sounded very good to my friends and myself.

After a few yrs. of using the Sony, my trusted A/V dealer recommended a OPPO BR/DVD Universal player as an upgrade to the Sony in use, which appeared to have a bit of a higher quality SQ than the Sony that it was replacing when playing regular and SACD CDs using the OPPO`s internal DAC.

I also shortly started looking into the BR Pure Audio releases my long time friend advised me were starting to become available, so I upgraded my living room`s 1995 purchased A/V/P processor (Integra) to take advantage of the OPPO`s audio only secondary HDMI output to check out the SQ of these Pure Audio Blu-Rays that I borrowed from my friend to try out.

Yep, that was a very, very noticeable upgrade in SQ, by my friends and myself when compared to the originally released CD, & SACD, DDD, K2, MoFi, etc. versions of select artist/bands that I already owned.
I then decide to look into purchasing & trying different external DACs to tap off the OPPO, Sony 400 disc filled DVD/SACD/CD player & the Mc. player`s S/PDIF coax (via a HQ (high bandwidth) 4X1 S/PDIF coax switcher) to be able to feed my recently whole house hard wired analog audio distribution system to provide HQ stereo to my HQ bedroom, and sunroom`s separates based stereos to be able to also enjoy higher quality audio in those rooms.

I had at that time frame in 2015 had not ever tried ripping CDs yet, ignorantly at that time not trusting that computer digital audio transfer technology relying solely on the Sony carousel for my all day music listening, and only using the living room`s A/V rack located OPPO for serious sit down optical media listening & BR/DVD movie watching.
I used that gifted to me Sony 400 disc player for 5 yrs until its optical block died overnight, thus forcing me to look into ripping all my ~ 1000 CDs, if I wished all day music without resorting to internet streaming, which I tasted while ripping my CD collection, and its SQ (Pandora) was horrible compared to any of my 3 different optical based players SQ.
I was so impressed with my first OPPO Universal player model (103), that I contacted my A/V dealer to look into an upgrade model (true 4K 203), if available, shortly before when I later found out OPPO was getting out of the Universal BR/DVD/SACD/CD player business, I then promptly bought another new 203 destined to be a dedicated 24/7/365 powered up and playing my newly WAV. lossless ripped music via a currently nearly filled Corsair 1 Terabyte flash drive stuffed into the sunroom located OPPO 203`s front USB port for my all day desired music requirements, occasionally inserting a recently purchased BR Pure audio disc(s) to see how it/they sound through my bedroom & sunroom`s secondary reference stereos, after playing them in the living room`s original A/V rack OPPO 203 through that room`s Mc. tube/SS powered tri-amplified speaker reference system.

I`ve been quite satisfied with the SQ of all the BR/DVD/SACD/CD players I have purchased since the first first Sony model in 2009, whether initially using their internal DAC, and analog outputs, or eventually S/PDIF coaxal output feeding 3 different various price point external DAC models while seeking the best reliability & performance for the buck choices.

P. S. I have both the A/V rack located Mc. CD player & non all day music playing OPPO 203`s analog outputs both fed into the A/V racks Mc. C-37 1995 purchased brand new preamp along with my DAC, which allows me to quickly switch between their analog outputs and the S/PDIF coax fed to current Pro-ject S2 digital external DAC for comparing the SQ between the 2 out of curiosity occasionally.

 

[lightcapture]

FWIW, I`ve had very good experiences with my 3 different BR/DVD/SACD/CD Universal players playing my CDs compared to my original HQ Mc. MCD-7007 CD player purchased new in 1986 CD player.
Especially my first BR/DVD player which was a Sony in 2009 which allowed me to be able to start to purchase and play SACDs of which I started purchasing being able to analog outputted compare to the standard CD version releases that I had already started purchasing in the eighties as I converted over to digital optical media.

I was late to look into purchasing and using an external DAC until 2015, so all my initial SQ comparing the SQ between my Mc. and the Sony was only their internal DAC`s SQ, and the Sony Universal BR/DVD player sounded very good to my friends and myself.

After a few yrs. of using the Sony, my trusted A/V dealer recommended a OPPO BR/DVD Universal player as an upgrade to the Sony in use, which appeared to have a bit of a higher quality SQ than the Sony that it was replacing when playing regular and SACD CDs using the OPPO`s internal DAC.

I also shortly started looking into the BR Pure Audio releases my long time friend advised me were starting to become available, so I upgraded my living room`s 1995 purchased A/V/P processor (Integra) to take advantage of the OPPO`s audio only secondary HDMI output to check out the SQ of these Pure Audio Blu-Rays that I borrowed from my friend to try out.

Yep, that was a very, very noticeable upgrade in SQ, by my friends and myself when compared to the originally released CD, & SACD, DDD, K2, MoFi, etc. versions of select artist/bands that I already owned.
I then decide to look into purchasing & trying different external DACs to tap off the OPPO, Sony 400 disc filled DVD/SACD/CD player & the Mc. player`s S/PDIF coax (via a HQ (high bandwidth) 4X1 S/PDIF coax switcher) to be able to feed my recently whole house hard wired analog audio distribution system to provide HQ stereo to my HQ bedroom, and sunroom`s separates based stereos to be able to also enjoy higher quality audio in those rooms.

I had at that time frame in 2015 had not ever tried ripping CDs yet, ignorantly at that time not trusting that computer digital audio transfer technology relying solely on the Sony carousel for my all day music listening, and only using the living room`s A/V rack located OPPO for serious sit down optical media listening & BR/DVD movie watching.
I used that gifted to me Sony 400 disc player for 5 yrs until its optical block died overnight, thus forcing me to look into ripping all my ~ 1000 CDs, if I wished all day music without resorting to internet streaming, which I tasted while ripping my CD collection, and its SQ (Pandora) was horrible compared to any of my 3 different optical based players SQ.
I was so impressed with my first OPPO Universal player model (103), that I contacted my A/V dealer to look into an upgrade model (true 4K 203), if available, shortly before when I later found out OPPO was getting out of the Universal BR/DVD/SACD/CD player business, I then promptly bought another new 203 destined to be a dedicated 24/7/365 powered up and playing my newly WAV. lossless ripped music via a currently nearly filled Corsair 1 Terabyte flash drive stuffed into the sunroom located OPPO 203`s front USB port for my all day desired music requirements, occasionally inserting a recently purchased BR Pure audio disc(s) to see how it/they sound through my bedroom & sunroom`s secondary reference stereos, after playing them in the living room`s original A/V rack OPPO 203 through that room`s Mc. tube/SS powered tri-amplified speaker reference system.

I`ve been quite satisfied with the SQ of all the BR/DVD/SACD/CD players I have purchased since the first first Sony model in 2009, whether initially using their internal DAC, and analog outputs, or eventually S/PDIF coaxal output feeding 3 different various price point external DAC models while seeking the best reliability & performance for the buck choices.

P. S. I have both the A/V rack located Mc. CD player & non all day music playing OPPO 203`s analog outputs both fed into the A/V racks Mc. C-37 1995 purchased brand new preamp along with my DAC, which allows me to quickly switch between their analog outputs and the S/PDIF coax fed to current Pro-ject S2 digital external DAC for comparing the SQ between the 2 out of curiosity occasionally.

I understand the 2015 Oppo was better than the 2009 Sony. But I'm not sure I followed you if an external dac on the Oppo was an improvement over the bdp's analogue output.
Did an external dac improved the Sony? Do you have a budget dac recommendation?

 

[Bill Ferris]

I understand the 2015 Oppo was better than the 2009 Sony. But I'm not sure I followed you if an external dac on the Oppo was an improvement over the bdp's analogue output.
Did an external dac improved the Sony? Do you have a budget dac recommendation?

I never got around to notating the perceived SQ difference between the 2 in my long winded post!

I seem to remember that there wasn`t a great noticeable difference playing various HQ well mastered CD/SACDs, so I just probably just first used the analog outputs of both the Mc. CD player and the original Sony BR/DVD player, until I changed it out for the OPPO 103 until I purchased my first DAC and S/PDIF coax connected both to it while retaining both player`s analog outputs still connected to the Mc. preamp, mostly out of curiosity to be able to switch back and forth, if desired, and in my case if my DAC took a dive, I still had CD audio analog available from either player.

Its been so long since the Sony (it was a very desirable sought after model, but not necessarily rated for any HQ sound performance, but had a handful of desirable different type analog video outputs along with HDMI, in which that early type player was being outlawed to be manufactured & sold in the US after 2010 !) was in the A/V rack`s system that I don`t remember any A/B`g SQ results.
I`m probably the least helpful member for budget DAC recommendations, as there are many members on A/K that have way more experience with budget priced from good~ great sounding DACs experience.

 

[charles 1973]

Im listing to a CD now through my Sony S6200 Blu-ray disc player in my living room through a Yamaha AVR powering a pair of Energy bookshelf speakers. Perfect for casual listening.

I see no reason why it wouldn't work just as well, But with better sound as a CD Transport through the Cambridge CXN V2's DAC in my main stereo, Where I use the matching CXC CD transport. Most of what we hear comes from the DAC.

 

[DeadTrader]

I purchased a Panasonic DMP-BD60 BluRay player with remote at a 2nd hand store for $9 to use as a stop gap player until I find an appropriate CDP.
Not having a CD player for 15 years I didn't know what to expect or for comparison. It sounded average, sounding good w/ some CDs and lackluster with others.
I then connected it with a silver interconnect and it sounds really good.

I really don't really understand the silver interconnect issue of better sound at this level, but I didn't hear it. Although I'd say the transport portion of the BluRay is okay, and would even be better than a $9 standalone cd drive. But the D>A could be much better handled with a inexpensive DAC. I've played with several in my office system. Wiim is a convenience thing, but bank for buck most topping products seem to excel (not a smsl fan, just me).

 

[curtisw99]

I assembled a little budget system in a spare room.
I got impatient searching for a single disc CD player in good condition w/ remote that ticked all the boxes for me.

I purchased a Panasonic DMP-BD60 BluRay player with remote at a 2nd hand store for $9 to use as a stop gap player until I find an appropriate CDP.
Not having a CD player for 15 years I didn't know what to expect or for comparison. It sounded average, sounding good w/ some CDs and lackluster with others.
I then connected it with a silver interconnect and it sounds really good.

Now I'm considering using it as a transport and pick up a $80-100 used DAC.
What do you say? Keep looking for a vintage-ish CDP or get a DAC? Anyone with personal experiences?
_______

For reference my little has system:
Thorens TD203 turntable w/ Sumiko original Blue Point cartridge
Yamaha CX-600U preamp
Arcam Alpha 8 power amp
Dynadio Emit M10 monitor speakers

Also:
iFi Zen Blue Air bluetooth receiver for streaming from phone
Rotel RT-940ax fm/am tuner

plays fine, but my blue ray player won't show the track listing unless I have a video screen up.

Also, the spinning disc is louder than in a typical vintage CD player

 

[whell]

I understand the 2015 Oppo was better than the 2009 Sony. But I'm not sure I followed you if an external dac on the Oppo was an improvement over the bdp's analogue output.
Did an external dac improved the Sony? Do you have a budget dac recommendation?

Here's my $0.02: the Panasonic DMP-BD60 was a very well received player in it's day. It was released in 2009 ad was targeted at the at the home theater enthusiast. That doesn't mean that an music listener should avoid that player. It does mean that, like other BluRay players in it's price range, certain design choices were made that didn't put music playback at the top of the priority list for that player.

In that price range (and in many cases higher price points), the Panasonic uses a192 kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter as part of a single - chip system, where the same chip handles audio, video, and networking. It works really well, but the difference between the Panasonic and a stand - alone DAC is that the stand - alone unit is engineered (within its price range) with the sole focus is the conversion of the audio signal from digital to analog.

You'll get a ton of suggestions for budget stand - alone DAC's. The Schitt options mentioned above are typically well-received.

You might be able to stretch your budget a bit and look for a gently used DAC: something that hit the market within the last 5 - 10 years. The DAC manufacturer's marketing departments will tell you that their most recent models are better than anything they've made before, but the reality is that digital to analog conversion technology hasn't really changed all that much in recent years. I've got a DAC that's going on 15 years old and it still competes favorably with newer models I've heard.

Not sure exactly what your price range is, but I just had a quick look at the audio "mart" site. Quite a few good options in the $250 - $350 price range.

 

[charles 1973]

I have a Sony bdp 6200 and ubx 800 Blu-ray disc players. Both do fine job as CD Transports and make excellent video players. If I where looking for a new budget cd player and had a DAC, I'd seriously consider Sony's UBP X700. It's about 1/2 the price of a standard CD Transport.

Couple it with a Wiim Pro Ultra Streamer for a really decent, complete Digital Front end for analog set ups for the price of many low end CD players alone.

I'm Listening to "Super hits of the 70's" CD on the bdp 6200 now through my Yamaha Rx V485. In direct mode it sounds much better then it has any right too. It has a display for track and time, loads quickly and makes no noticeable noise.

 

[lightcapture]

Here's my $0.02: the Panasonic DMP-BD60 was a very well received player in it's day. It was released in 2009 ad was targeted at the at the home theater enthusiast. That doesn't mean that an music listener should avoid that player. It does mean that, like other BluRay players in it's price range, certain design choices were made that didn't put music playback at the top of the priority list for that player.

In that price range (and in many cases higher price points), the Panasonic uses a192 kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter as part of a single - chip system, where the same chip handles audio, video, and networking. It works really well, but the difference between the Panasonic and a stand - alone DAC is that the stand - alone unit is engineered (within its price range) with the sole focus is the conversion of the audio signal from digital to analog.

You'll get a ton of suggestions for budget stand - alone DAC's. The Schitt options mentioned above are typically well-received.

You might be able to stretch your budget a bit and look for a gently used DAC: something that hit the market within the last 5 - 10 years. The DAC manufacturer's marketing departments will tell you that their most recent models are better than anything they've made before, but the reality is that digital to analog conversion technology hasn't really changed all that much in recent years. I've got a DAC that's going on 15 years old and it still competes favorably with newer models I've heard.

Not sure exactly what your price range is, but I just had a quick look at the audio "mart" site. Quite a few good options in the $250 - $350 price range.

Thanks for the common sense suggestion. I do agree the design made compromises for analogue audio. I came across it preowned complete when I got tired of looking for a good not-to-old cdp w/ remote for a fair price. Because its a BDP it doesn't look like it got much use. I purchased it because it had optical digital output and analogue audio. I thought I could use it now stand alone, and upgrade to an external dac later. I sounds decent from the analogue outputs, a bit bright and unrefined. But the smooth quiet transport keeps winning me over. I like your suggestion of a good 10-15 year old higher tier dac. Thanks.

 

[lightcapture]

plays fine, but my blue ray player won't show the track listing unless I have a video screen up.

Also, the spinning disc is louder than in a typical vintage CD player

The Panny does show track and time. The only front panel controls are power and eject buttons. So the remote is imperative. Fortunately it's in perfect shape. And no monitor is necessary once audio is set to PCM, needing a screen.