Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Are you using seperate DVD/CD players

ringmir: I agree with you 100%. But Johnk comment on "A separate CD player has no advantage in sound quality" is a misleading statement. Yes it is true he is saying there is no compromise from the fact that you have two lasers in a system. But what does have to do with "sound quality". Sound quality is the sum of the whole as you mentioned. A stand alone CD player with great parts..cd transport, DACs, dampening would/could improve "sound quality" most of the time but not always.
I am also answering thekid's question "If there is no sound quality in using a seperate CD player, is there a difference in using different cd players for better sound quality? " The comment above left him confused thinking a DVD/CD has no difference in "sound quality" than a stand alone "well-built" stand alone CD player.

Peter: You bring the alcohol and I'll supply the spring rolls and peanut chicken and rice...I mean the fiancee will supply that. Craigsub can bring some BBQ material.

I live just down the highway from you...I will be right over!!!

I agree that build quality is very important, and overall that a source is paramount to a quality system. I think the problem is that most stores lead with speakers ( and to be fair, they are the most visible piece of a system) when you enter. I know a lot of people that have not balanced the components in a system, and the reason is they were "told" to spend more on speakers. Very few people have heard, or taken the time to search for quality sources. Are all of the upscale models better than lower cost models? Not at all.

I like to suggest that people take the time to listen to all ranges and price points for all pieces. This will allow you to learn the industry.

No way. The speakers make the sound. They are the most important aspect in a system. A set of good speakers hooked up to a shelf system will sound better than a set of shelf system speakers hooked up to a $10000 2 channel system.

I thought the 1s and 0s thing when using the digital out was pretty concrete. All the arguments to the contrary sound like fancy marketing propaganda.
That being said, I have no expertise here beyond my experience with 3 budget players I have at home.

...I almost missed the sarcasm...or the attempt to get the thread heated up!!!

The ones and zeros being read off the disk should be the same on all players. The DAC thou has to convert them back to an anolog signal so I do see a difference there possibly.

/semi-educated speculation

Kid, almost never would there be an audible difference between modern CD players(heard under controlled conditions; perceptions based on casual listening should be disregarded). A very poorly constructed player conceivably could be mechanically noisy enough to be heard during play and this would of course make a difference. However nearly all modern players, regardless of price, offer audibly flawless reproduction of CDs. My own preference is for the convenience of megachangers such as those available from Sony, and I'd never consider a single-disc player again. Choose the features you want at the best price you can find; there's no need for concern about the sound.

There was no sarcasm. I'm just disagreeing with you. Yes, I took the example to extremes, but if we're talking about $800+ CD players (or transports, even better!) then we're there already.

thekid;

You should try out and listen to a few CD players and/or multi combo players and see if you can find any discernable difference. If you don't notice a difference then pick the one best suit for your budget. It is better off hand to find out yourself than taking dogma/heresay from people.

Hey Bigwill;

Yes 0s & 1s are concrete. And yes most budget player have no discernable sonic difference. A lot have fancy marketing proganda.

But try one of the higher priced players like Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista, Cary audio Design 302/200 , Mark Levinson No.390S CD Processor, Classe CDP10 vs some of your budget player and see and hear for yourself if you do not hear any difference. Maybe you won't but I personally thought it sounded differently specially with some really revealing speakers such as the M80ti.

I can not or will not convince anyone what I heard. I can only pass on the experience and having someone try it for themselves.

Ken: With respect to speakers I couldn't agree with you more.