At what point is a used cd player "too" old?

[Billc1022]

Hi.
I'm on a budget looking for a used cd player. At some point, do advances in technology make a new (or newer) lower end, mass market player superior to an old "audiophile" player? If so, what is that point? Should I be leery of anything older than 5 - 7 years or so old?
Thanks,
Bill

 

[markw]

It's not so much the electrical technology. My AVR is 9 years old and still going fine.

A CD/DVD is a mechanical device and the mechanicals have a tendency to wear out (break) more frequently than purely electronic devices.

Keep an eye out for people complaining for combodvices (radios/receivers with built-in CD/DVD players and the like) where the CD player crapped out but the receiver section still works fine.

But, you could get lucky and get one that goes forever. It happens.

 

[Billc1022]

Hi.
I'm on a budget looking for a used cd player. At some point, do advances in technology make a new (or newer) lower end, mass market player superior to an old "audiophile" player? If so, what is that point? Should I be leery of anything older than 5 - 7 years or so old?
Thanks,
Bill

 

[yepimonfire]

Hi.
I'm on a budget looking for a used cd player. At some point, do advances in technology make a new (or newer) lower end, mass market player superior to an old "audiophile" player? If so, what is that point? Should I be leery of anything older than 5 - 7 years or so old?
Thanks,
Bill

I don't think it would make much of a difference. If you're using something like toslink or coaxial out to a receiver, I doubt there would be any difference what so ever between a cheap mass market CD player and an old high end CD player. If you started getting REAL REAL old (way beyond 5-7 years, think beginning of CD era) then you might notice a decline in quality due to the older CD players having issues with jitter, but i can't say for sure how big the problem could potentially be, or if its even significant enough to matter.

 

[Billc1022]

Specifics

Hi.
Thanks for your reply. I should have provided more info.
I'm running the signal from a Sony PS3 through a 5 channel Proceed amp, into an Adcom GCD 565 Preamp to Revel Performa F5 Speakers. I just bought a Yaquin tube buffer and I want to upgrade the source. The cd players I'm looking at on ebay and audiogon are really old. I only want to spend about $300. Should I get a new Marantz or NAD? Or a 10 yr old Arcam or Rotel, etc.?
Thanks for you patience and help.
Bill

 

[slipperybidness]

Hi.
Thanks for your reply. I should have provided more info.
I'm running the signal from a Sony PS3 through a 5 channel Proceed amp, into an Adcom GCD 565 Preamp to Revel Performa F5 Speakers. I just bought a Yaquin tube buffer and I want to upgrade the source. The cd players I'm looking at on ebay and audiogon are really old. I only want to spend about $300. Should I get a new Marantz or NAD? Or a 10 yr old Arcam or Rotel, etc.?
Thanks for you patience and help.
Bill

I would be surprised if you noticed a big jump in quality over the PS3.

 

[slipperybidness]

It's not so much the electrical technology. My AVR is 9 years old and still going fine.

A CD/DVD is a mechanical device and the mechanicals have a tendency to wear out (break) more frequently than purely electronic devices.

Keep an eye out for people complaining for combodvices (radios/receivers with built-in CD/DVD players and the like) where the CD player crapped out but the receiver section still works fine.

But, you could get lucky and get one that goes forever. It happens.

Good point. Mechanical failures are 10 times more (or greater) likely than electronic failures.

 

[Steve81]

Instead of picking up a used CD player, I'd consider an external DAC. Given that these aren't mechanical devices, there's a lot less concern about them breaking if you want to buy used. Moreover, should you decide some day to rip all your music losslessly to your computer, the DAC will still be of use.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi.
Thanks for your reply. I should have provided more info.
I'm running the signal from a Sony PS3 through a 5 channel Proceed amp, into an Adcom GCD 565 Preamp to Revel Performa F5 Speakers. I just bought a Yaquin tube buffer and I want to upgrade the source. The cd players I'm looking at on ebay and audiogon are really old. I only want to spend about $300. Should I get a new Marantz or NAD? Or a 10 yr old Arcam or Rotel, etc.?
Thanks for you patience and help.
Bill

You added a Yaquin tube Buffer!

Now logic will tell you that any active device can only add some noise and distortion and can not be as accurate as a wire cable between your pre amp and amp.

I'm not surprised you have only $300 to spend on a CD player. But that will be plenty. It won't sound any better that your PS3 though.

Snake oil wastes money, put your money where it counts. Hint: - not tube buffers, nor funny wire while your at it.

 

[Steve81]

Now logic will tell you that any active device can only add some noise and distortion and can not be as accurate as a wire cable between your pre amp and amp.

Hey now, it says right there in the material

guaranteed to add the magic of tubes to any system without adding any significant noise or distortion.

so

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey now, it says right there in the material



so

I know, our educational system is so poor people will believe almost anything.

 

[Adam]

I know, our educational system is so poor people will believe almost anything.

I believe that.

 

[TLS Guy]

I believe that.

You woke up with all your smarts today, didn't you?

 

[Adam]

You woke up with all your smarts today, didn't you?

Yep , and it's a good thing, too. If my brain doesn't bring it's A game, I have trouble remembering how to make coffee.

 

[mattsk8]

From what I've read, the purpose of the tube buffer is to deliver a warmer tube sound through a digital amp. There seems to be more positive remarks from the tube buffer crowd than there are from the uber expensive cable crowd. Only saying that because I wouldn't call it sake oil yet. $600 speaker wire on the other hand . Maybe spending thousands on cables makes an audible diff somewhere in the spectrum, but not to my ears; one too many Motorhead shows I guess.

To the OP, I know what you're up against. I'm kind of in a similar struggle. New cd players all seem to be trash usless you go north of $500 for one, then who knows. I had a Denon a long time ago that I got from my dad. he purchased it new back in 83. It worked great, but if you breathed too heavy the thing would skip, and the audio (regardless of the receiver's DAC) was pathetic compared to a new $40 cd player. Now I have another old Denon (circa 90?) that sounds good but skips like crazy. I also have a Panasonic DVD player that works incredible and will play cds that look like I've played frisby w/, w/out a hickup for the most part. I think I've come to the conclusion that I'd like to just find a cheaper Panasonic for $150 or so that'll play DVD audio and SACD formats.

I've looked into getting a used higher end Denon, Marantz, Sony or likewise DVD player that's about 8 or so years old on ebay. The problem is, how do you know it's going to work?? In my past experience, DVD players are hit and miss. I've had Denon (although not what I'd consider audiophile grade, was around $350 new) and it was junk. I had an HK and it was junk. I've had decent luck w/ Panasonic but others haven't. Will I have better luck if I buy the Marantz thats on ebay right now for $210 that's 9 years old and was $1600 new? Who knows. Its still a DVD player. Will I hear better sound quality through the Marantz? I don't know, that's the question!

It's my understanding that new receivers have their own DACs. Hopefully someone can answer this here, how good are their DACs? If I hook an ipod or a cd player up using RCA cables, does that play through the receiver's DAC? Or, does it use the DAC in the receiver when it's hooked up via the digital connection? All that said, will buying an external DAC make it sound better than using the DAC in the receiver???

Also, to the OP, welcome to the forum

 

[jcl]

It's my understanding that new receivers have their own DACs. Hopefully someone can answer this here, how good are their DACs? If I hook an ipod or a cd player up using RCA cables, does that play through the receiver's DAC? Or, does it use the DAC in the receiver when it's hooked up via the digital connection? All that said, will buying an external DAC make it sound better than using the DAC in the receiver???

It will only use the DAC in the receiver when it's hooked up via the digital connection.

To answer your other question re: external dacs sounding better, I would say that's a 'it depends', but probably not if it's a decent avr.

 

[markw]

Question 1

It's my understanding that new receivers have their own DACs.

Yes. DD and DTS is only accomplished by using the receiver's internal DAC's. without DAC's, there is no digital audio.

Question 2

Hopefully someone can answer this here, how good are their DACs?

IMNSHO, quite good, but some swear by standalone DAC's. That debate rates right up there with cables, religion, and politics.

Question 3

If I hook an ipod or a cd player up using RCA cables, does that play through the receiver's DAC?

Maybe. The signal was already converted to analog in the device's internal dac. But, some receivers take all analog signals and run them through an "anti-DAC", or Analog to Digital (ADC) converter so the can be processed by the receiver's internal DAC. So, the signal goes through three conversions total, once in the device and two in the receiver. Go figgah, but it simplifies the receiver's design. But, some offer some sort of "pure direct" or "external analog input" process but these generally force you to do without some other features you might want to use.

Question 4

Or, does it use the DAC in the receiver when it's hooked up via the digital connection?

Yes. If you feed the receiver a digital signal, it only goes through one conversion.


Question 5

All that said, will buying an external DAC make it sound better than using the DAC in the receiver???

See Question 2

 

[Steve81]

But, some receivers take all analog signals and run them through an "anti-DAC", or Analog to Digital (ADC) converter so the can be processed by the receiver's internal DAC. So, the signal goes through three conversions total, once in the device and two in the receiver. Go figgah, but it simplifies the receiver's design. But, some offer some sort of "pure direct" or "external analog input" process but these generally force you to do without some other features you might want to use.

You want bass management, you need the receiver's DSP chip. If you want to use DSP, as the acronym suggests, you need something in the digital domain. You want Audyssey or a fancy listening mode? Same thing.

 

[mattsk8]

Everything Mark said

Awesome!! Thanks for all the info! My main reason for wondering is this...

I just purchased a HK 3490 receiver. Will getting the Bridge II ipod docking station give me better sound over just using the plug that plugs into the bottom of the ipod (the wide plug, not the headphone jack) and runs via RCA's into the HK, or will the Bridge II give me better sound? From what I understand, the bridge II has its own plug on the back of the 3490 receiver. Only curious because I have the plug for the ipod but don't have the Bridge II docking station; I'd rather save the $80

 

[Steve81]

Awesome!! Thanks for all the info! My main reason for wondering is this...

I just purchased a HK 3490 receiver. Will getting the Bridge II ipod docking station give me better sound over just using the plug that plugs into the bottom of the ipod (the wide plug, not the headphone jack) and runs via RCA's into the HK, or will the Bridge II give me better sound? From what I understand, the bridge II has its own plug on the back of the 3490 receiver. Only curious because I have the plug for the ipod but don't have the Bridge II docking station; I'd rather save the $80

The Bridge will keep everything in the digital domain until the signal hits the receiver's DAC; however, since you're using a stereo receiver, the comments about features like bass management are moot, and it becomes a comparison of DACs. I've not tried the output of my iPhone directly to my receiver, but I've used an Apple Airport Express, both with an analog output and a digital output to an HK receiver without noting any significant shift in sound quality. Then again, YMMV.