Blu-ray Player for CD Audio

[FatStrat85]

I know there is some debate as to whether a dedicated CD player is better than a DVD Player or Blu-Ray Player for listening to audio CD's. My understanding is that if the player has a digital output to the receiver, the player is completely removed from the equation because the only thing that can vary in fidelity is the DAC. Is that correct?

I'm not sure if I am buying a receiver with a digital input or not yet, so I'm preparing for if I don't. I want to avoid buying a separate dedicated CD player if I can (to save money). I want to know if there are certain Blu-Ray players that have better DAC's than others, and if they are on the same level as dedicated CD players.

Can I get sound quality as good as a CD player out of a Blu-Ray player? If so, are certain Blu-Ray players better sounding than others? If so, which are better and which are worse? Thanks in advance.

 

[j_garcia]

What do you mean a receiver with a digital input? Unless you are talking about 2ch, you are highly unlikely to find a receiver without a digital input.

In terms of DACs, I would expect it will depend on exactly what level of CD player you would be comparing it to. An average CD player likely isn't any better than a DVD or BD player, and as you mentioned via digital, the difference is going to be all but nil. If we are talking $500-ish price range, I'd say just get the BD player.

 

[FatStrat85]

Well, one of the receivers I am looking at is the Outlaw RR2150. The only digital input it has is a USB port. I only have 2 towers and a sub right now. Surround Sound wouldn't really work in my living room and isn't all that important to me.

I am looking to spend around $500 on a Blu-Ray player. I was hoping I could get equal CD music sound quality out of a $500 Blu-Ray player (compared to a $500 CD player). If not, I might eventually get both. If I knew there was a Blu-Ray player with exeptional CD audio quality, I would be willing to spend extra money to get it, since it would save me from having to purchase a separate CD player.

 

[gus6464]

Well, one of the receivers I am looking at is the Outlaw RR2150. The only digital input it has is a USB port. I only have 2 towers and a sub right now. Surround Sound wouldn't really work in my living room and isn't all that important to me.

I am looking to spend around $500 on a Blu-Ray player. I was hoping I could get equal CD music sound quality out of a $500 Blu-Ray player (compared to a $500 CD player). If not, I might eventually get both. If I knew there was a Blu-Ray player with exeptional CD audio quality, I would be willing to spend extra money to get it, since it would save me from having to purchase a separate CD player.

So you only want to do 2ch audio? Why are you thinking of going with the RR2150 if you also want blu-ray?

 

[FatStrat85]

My Blu-Ray player will be putting sound into 2 speakers and a subwoofer. Surround Sound is not a requirement for watching Blu-Ray movies. I just want to get the best sound possible with the speaker setup that I have for both music and movies. See the following thread for background info.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36908

 

[anamorphic96]

The most important part of a CD player is the analog output stage and how it is handled makes the biggest difference in sound quality. Most companies use the cheapest op-amps they can find to handle this stage and this is what usually makes or breaks the sound quality of a player.

I have an older JVC DVD player that recently had its op-amps upgraded to high quality Burr Brown units and it made a noticeable improvement.

Most DAC's these days sound pretty much the same. When you step up to the 1000.00 and above units you might hear a difference but even then it's very questionable.

 

[gus6464]

My Blu-Ray player will be putting sound into 2 speakers and a subwoofer. Surround Sound is not a requirement for watching Blu-Ray movies. I just want to get the best sound possible with the speaker setup that I have for both music and movies. See the following thread for background info.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36908

But that's exactly the thing; by using a purely analog receiver you will not get the best sound possible for movies if you pair it with a blu-ray player.

 

[fmw]

I have a Sony BD-S300 Blu Ray player and it plays audio CD's as well as anything. Nothing to worry about there. On the other hand the comments above make sense. Why not get an A/V receiver and just use 2 or 3 channels of it? You won't lose anything and you will be set up better for movie watching. You can buy perfectly competent A/V receivers for less than $300.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

When not using the changer, I quite often play CDs in my Blu-ray player, but I'm using Optical Digital output to my prepro. The BD-S300 makes a super CD PLAYER, Emotiva makes it sound awesome! Forget that Outlaw piece and look for something with DA inputs.

 

[gus6464]

As long you your speakers aren't too demanding I would just go with the Onkyo 605. It can decode TrueHD, DTS-HD, and I think DD+ as well. It can be found nowadays for around $400 and is probably the best bang for the buck next gen receiver around. You can always have phantom center with your 2 front speakers and you will have a proper LFE input for your sub. And if you decide to add more speakers later (center, surrounds), you can do so as well.

And as far as blu-ray player everyone seems to be recommending the Sony so you could always go with that.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Most DAC's these days sound pretty much the same. When you step up to the 1000.00 and above units you might hear a difference but even then it's very questionable.

True. DACs are a fully mature technology. What you hear when listening to a CD is determined entirely by the encoded signal, today's players are "transparent".

 

[mr-ben]

DACs are a fully mature technology. What you hear when listening to a CD is determined entirely by the encoded signal, today's players are "transparent".

I don't find this to be true for my own setup and music. Even my wife can immediately hear the difference.

 

[Tazmoj]

Sammy 1400 hook up..help!

I ordered the samsung 1400.. it is due on the 16th. i will by a 1080p soon. I have panny 50 inch plasma. If I set the blu-ray player to 1080i will it provide a better picture than my dennon 2910 ??

 

[gus6464]

I ordered the samsung 1400.. it is due on the 16th. i will by a 1080p soon. I have panny 50 inch plasma. If I set the blu-ray player to 1080i will it provide a better picture than my dennon 2910 ??

Set it to 1080p. The 768p Panny plasmas can take a 1080p signal through hdmi. I set my 50in PX75 to 720p at first and the PQ wasn't as good.

 

[Tazmoj]

Thanks! But I have the TH-50PX60U and it is 1080i only...will that still work??

Also, if I have a blu ray player, can I run HdMI into the tv and didital sound through my receiver ( receiver doesn't have HDMI )

 

[j_garcia]

Set it to 1080i then... I would say most sets that do 1080i can do 720p, but not all for sure.