CD player/Yamaha rxv2500 performance?

[gcmarshall]

i have a 10+ year old Sony 5 disc CD player. it has only analog outputs.

i have a yamaha rx-v2500 receiver. for CD playback, it has analog inputs and a coax digital input.

hypothetical question --

would you expect any performance difference with a new cd player that has a digital coax output? if so, would it be best to let the new cd player's DAC do the converting and send the signal from the cd player to the receiver via analog or would it be best to send the signal via digital coax and let the receiver's DAC do the converting?

 

[MDS]

If we are indeed talking about CD only, I would expect little to no difference between letting the CD player do the D/A vs letting the receiver do the D/A. While there can be subtle differences between DACS, they are after-all subtle and you'd really be hard pressed to tell the difference.

IMO though, digital should be preferred because you then have the data straight from the disc rather than an analog waveform. Data can be manipulated in many ways. Receivers currently don't allow 'late night' mode to be applied to anything but DD (because it relies on meta-data in the DD bitstream), but in the future whose to say receivers won't offer general purpose compression or other types of features that would rely on having the digital data.

 

[gcmarshall]

has there a notable improvement in CD player internal DACs over the past 10-11 years? would there be any reason to think a current CD player in the $200-$300 range would provide better converting, and thus better playback, compared to an 11 year old CD player that was in the $129 price range 11 years ago?

i am not really trying to talk myself into a new CD player, but my old one is starting to make some noises that sound like a precursor to CD player death. so, i am sort of on the hunt and doing some research.

 

[mtrycrafts]

has there a notable improvement in CD player internal DACs over the past 10-11 years? would there be any reason to think a current CD player in the $200-$300 range would provide better converting, and thus better playback, compared to an 11 year old CD player that was in the $129 price range 11 years ago?

i am not really trying to talk myself into a new CD player, but my old one is starting to make some noises that sound like a precursor to CD player death. so, i am sort of on the hunt and doing some research.

Well, not really. If that player wouldn't be making those funny noises, what are they by the way, then you might want to start your search but can wait until it really dies.

Do you have a DVD player? Sure, it is most likely a single play player but it will certainly play CDs.

If you are into multi channel music, then, that would add to your needs

 

[gcmarshall]

Well, not really. If that player wouldn't be making those funny noises, what are they by the way, then you might want to start your search but can wait until it really dies.

Do you have a DVD player? Sure, it is most likely a single play player but it will certainly play CDs.

If you are into multi channel music, then, that would add to your needs

Thanks for the feedback both of you. Much appreciated as always.

The noises are random whines or whistles, sort of like when a tea pot begins to whistle. It's not always present and I can't find anything in particular that causes it.

I can use my DVD player to play CD's, but it lacks nice features such as random play, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for the feedback both of you. Much appreciated as always.

The noises are random whines or whistles, sort of like when a tea pot begins to whistle. It's not always present and I can't find anything in particular that causes it.

I can use my DVD player to play CD's, but it lacks nice features such as random play, etc.

Is this noise when the player is in play mode, or when the tray opens and closes? Are you willing to pull the cover and see if you can home in on the noise? Or, just not worth it. In that case, start looking at one that meets the flexibility features you need and you are there. No rush, you have a fall back player

 

[Electone]

I have an Arcam Alpha 7 CD player and a Yamaha RX-V2400 receiver. I notice quite a bit of difference when I run the Arcam via analog vs digital coax. I hooked up the CD player both ways at the same time and use the Yamaha's input select button to switch between analog/digital.

The Arcam sounds much more open and airy via its analog outputs. When I switch to digital input and let the Yammy do the processing, it just does not sound as nice. I tried the same thing with my Sony DVD player and I can't notice any difference in sound between analog and digital.

The Arcam's DAC is probably quite a bit better than what's in the Yamaha receiver.

 

[gcmarshall]

i am still not clear on all this. here is the ultimate question:

i see that most, if not all, newer CD players have a digital output section (digital coax and/or optical digital).

however, in looking around at stereo receivers (2 channel) and stereo preamps, none seem to have digital inputs for CD audio.

are CD digital outputs only geared towards SACD or other high-bandwidth multi-channel sources or are 2-channel stereo receivers simply lagging behind the times.

i am setting up a 2-channel, music only room. i already have a separate power amp. i have 2 speakers. the main focus of this room will be standard CD's, radio, etc. ... no TV, no movies, no SACD, etc.

do i want a preamp or receiver that has a digital coax input to future-proof myself or, as i posed the question above, is the digital CD output a moot point for standard 2-channel CD listening? is digital out on CD players brand new and maybe stereo preamps/receiver just have not made the switch yet?

still confused.....

 

[MDS]

do i want a preamp or receiver that has a digital coax input to future-proof myself or, as i posed the question above, is the digital CD output a moot point for standard 2-channel CD listening? is digital out on CD players brand new and maybe stereo preamps/receiver just have not made the switch yet?

The music on a CD is PCM which is a digital format, so it's only logical that newer cd players would include a digital out so you can keep the signal digital and let the receiver do the D/A conversion. Stereo only receivers are getting more rare so there aren't many that have digital inputs.

IMO, it's a moot point because you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between letting the CD player do the D/A vs letting the receiver do it.