CD player specs help!

[ubila]

Hello All,
Brand new to these forums, and a bit of a noob when it comes to audio products.

Ive purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD595s, and im after a cd player system to plug em into instead of my junky computer on-board sound card.
(even throught my pc sound card these headphones are incredible quality!)

My question is, Without sepending thousands of dollars, and compared to my on-board sound card that i have now, what should i be looking for that would significantly improve sound quality of my cds?

Specs, model suggestions etc all helpfull
thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Not sure why you'd need stand alone CD player then you have all the versatility of the pc...
If you want to bump a notch audio quality from pc using headphones - I'd rec to get this product:
http://www.amazon.com/ART-USB-Phono-Plus-Preamp/dp/B000BBGCCI

 

[ubila]

I think i just want to have a seperate system for the cds rather then pc, my cd drive in my pcs getting pretty old now, and well it sits about 1.5m back on my HUGE desk lol.

Id rather just have something simple and close for cd playing.

That amp looks pretty nice, and good price.
If i was to go buy just cd player, any sugestions on a brand/model ? Or specs id be looking at? And would the use of an amp like the one suggested help imporove quality more?

Thanks

 

[ubila]

Im looking at buying this :

( i can post links lol )
Please google it ..
Arcam CD73

It seem to have great reviews and the price is pretty decent.
Would this be a good buy?
Keep in mind all i want this to do is play cds to my headphones.

Cheers

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you planning to use art as you pre-amp then basically any cd player with digital out should do the trick. I'd scavenge audiogon and not get stuck on esoteric brands.
this one for example - http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKDXC390/Onkyo/DX-C390-6-disc-Carousel-Cd-Changer/1.html
is factory refub and have 1 year warranty.
Since it doesn't have headphones pre-amp you have to get one, possibly the one I rec'd before

 

[ubila]

So the "ART V2" you posted earlyer will connect to cd player or pc sound card then i connect headphones to it?
And this will imporve sound quality?

Cheers

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So the "ART V2" you posted earlyer will connect to cd player or pc sound card then i connect headphones to it?
And this will imporve sound quality?

Cheers

Like i said - unless you have existing headphones plug on cd-player - you must get some sort of pre-amp with headphones amp in it like art.
ART DOES not improve SQ, but ideally doesn't f-up original one.

 

[ubila]

Like i said - unless you have existing headphones plug on cd-player - you must get some sort of pre-amp with headphones amp in it like art.
ART DOES not improve SQ, but ideally doesn't f-up original one.

Excellent

And well, it seems my options on pre-amps are semi-limited since i live in Middle Earth (New Zealand)... Having a look around on NZ's version of ebay ive come across -> Little Dot I+ tube Headphone AMP (Deluxe Ver. )
Its selling for $230NZD which is probably around $162USD - whats your opinion on this one?

Ill post link in next post (post 5 haha >.>)

Thanks for all the help

 

[ubila]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Amplifiers-tuners/auction-298366088.htm

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I Never heard of Little Dot products before, but in general Tubes do warm sound coloration and it's the matter if you like it or not...
Our vintage tube loving friends at AK seem to like the product alot- http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=259926
but in general I prefer original - reference like sound over any colorations....
Checkout this product from local shire seller
http://www.musicways.co.nz/customer/product.php?productid=2583&cat=0&page=1



p.s:

Thanks for all the help

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[ubila]

Woo cheers been very helpfull

I was reading somewere that tube amps are better for distortion? I listen to alot of heavy metal, if this is true, it would seem the tube amp might be for me?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Woo cheers been very helpfull
I was reading somewere that tube amps are better for distortion? I listen to alot of heavy metal, if this is true, it would seem the tube amp might be for me?

The distortion in tubes, is not that kind of "distortion" you and me like in metal. What you want is original sound, loud and clear.

p.s: My new fav work background music - Viking Metal

 

[ubila]

The distortion in tubes, is not that kind of "distortion" you and me like in metal. What you want is original sound, loud and clear.

p.s: My new fav work background music - Viking Metal

Haha my boss didnt like the fact that i listen to metal so he banned headphones at work. Thank god ive left that job!