Jonesy09
Super Member
Quandry: New (to me) Infinity RSII's make my CD source (Toshiba SD-3950 DVD player) sound like shite. I contemplated an inexpensive outboard DAC and will likely go that route in the future.
However; today I spy an older Marantz CD player @ GW for $7. After running the preliminary tests at the store the only problem seems to be a sticky drawer. I get her home and everything plays fine.
The showdown: Flipped between the two units playing the Bill Evans Trio Waltz for Debbie, track 2. The toshiba is louder by a smidge, but the Marantz provides detail and air that isn't present with the DVD player. I can hear fret board buzzing on the bass and actually hear the brush on the snare instead of just a snare hit. Granted it's nothing glaringly obvious, but it's there. I can hear it. The loudness issue can be easily remedied.
My question is this. From what I understand older CD players, while possibly better built, mechanically, than todays run of the mill player, often lack the benefit of more developed DACs and other chip/software advances. It's entirely likely that the guts of the Toshiba DVD player are more advanced than the Marantz. If so, what explains the difference in sound quality. The comparison I ran was through the same equipment; speakers, amp, pre, cables. Are some older CD players just still that good? Is my Toshiba such a dog pile that soup cans would sound better?
I have to admit, I really like the looks and heft of the Marantz. Big and chunky. Fat buttons. Clear drawer window with a cool green light that illuminates the CD as it's spinning. Champagne faceplate. You just don't see that anymore. At least for $7.
BTW - I am aware of the reputation of the Toshiba 3950 and have even gone so far as to purchase most of the parts for the upgrade. I've got everything except the Black Gate caps, which are a mofo to find. I have not yet done any work on it but I'm curious if the mods would pan out.
However; today I spy an older Marantz CD player @ GW for $7. After running the preliminary tests at the store the only problem seems to be a sticky drawer. I get her home and everything plays fine.
The showdown: Flipped between the two units playing the Bill Evans Trio Waltz for Debbie, track 2. The toshiba is louder by a smidge, but the Marantz provides detail and air that isn't present with the DVD player. I can hear fret board buzzing on the bass and actually hear the brush on the snare instead of just a snare hit. Granted it's nothing glaringly obvious, but it's there. I can hear it. The loudness issue can be easily remedied.
My question is this. From what I understand older CD players, while possibly better built, mechanically, than todays run of the mill player, often lack the benefit of more developed DACs and other chip/software advances. It's entirely likely that the guts of the Toshiba DVD player are more advanced than the Marantz. If so, what explains the difference in sound quality. The comparison I ran was through the same equipment; speakers, amp, pre, cables. Are some older CD players just still that good? Is my Toshiba such a dog pile that soup cans would sound better?
I have to admit, I really like the looks and heft of the Marantz. Big and chunky. Fat buttons. Clear drawer window with a cool green light that illuminates the CD as it's spinning. Champagne faceplate. You just don't see that anymore. At least for $7.
BTW - I am aware of the reputation of the Toshiba 3950 and have even gone so far as to purchase most of the parts for the upgrade. I've got everything except the Black Gate caps, which are a mofo to find. I have not yet done any work on it but I'm curious if the mods would pan out.
